Anyone haul a Canoe on their truck....???

Yeah, Had the Canoe out the other day, and just had to post a pic. Still need something to haul this around. It's longer than the truck.

 

Wow you didnt get hasseled for that? That would be a ticket for sure in CA.

2/3 your wheel base is all you can have extend from the rear of the truck here. That looks like way more. Plus Im sure theyd hit you on not having a secure load because of the lack of support on the canoe.


If your interested check out the Group Buy section. Trying to get a Thule Xsporter GB Together....

 

I think I am taking the yak out tomorrow, so I will try and take a pic then, but I just put the gate down and lay it right in the bed and tie down with straps in the corner tie downs. Works great. I can even get two yaks in the bed.

 

Yeah, that's my Canoe on VIAGRA.... No hassles. Even passed a few cops on my way. I had the red flag flying...

 

you really didnt drive like that???in jersey i would be shot

 

I'm a canoe carrying expert. Literally. I have installed thousands of roof racks on various vehicles. And have owned both a 2000 and 2006 Tacoma.

There is no good rack option for a 1st gen that puts two cross bars on the cab of the truck.

Yes bed extenders, hitch mounted uprights, and rail mounted racks all work, but are expensive and each have drawbacks. The bed extender isn't that friendly to the canoe, with an upright you will need a crossbar or foam pads on the cab roof, and rail mounted racks like the Xtrasport are super spendy.

For the occasional use, low cost, simplicity, and your specific truck, I highly recommend the HandiRack distributed by Malone Autoracks. It's inflatable and reliable. I used one on my 06 because my topper showed up the day I was scheduled to leave on a trip and I didn't have time to install my permanent roof rack. With your 1st gen, you could easily set this up through the rear windows and front doors for a reasonable spread.

 

Look at my signiature photo. It is 2x4s in the corners and across the tops of the ends. The side tops are 1x6 and the braces are all 1x stock. All boards are just butt joints and sheetrock screws. We just screwed eye screws at the appropriate points and heavy bungees hold the rack to the tie down loops at each corner. It took about 2 hours to build from leftover wood. The rubber bungees are tight, they required channel locks to pull them into place. It takes about 4 minutes to install and about 2 minutes to remove. I thought I would have to build a heavy duty one from oak or something, but this one has hauled the kayaks all summer and no regrets (As in kayaks doing the space shuttle thing.). Let me know if you want more detailed photos and I'll send them on.

 

Yeah the Malone stuff is cool, I am a Dealer for them and Thule. For us in Kayaks the Thule is way more popular but I do sell the Malone stuff sometimes.

If any TW guys ever need Thule or Malone stuff let me know and ill give you at least 15% off.

 

Siebler,

Someone mentioned a possible group buy?? Any chance that you can do anything with that?

 

Yeah, I drove like that.

 

Yep its posted in the Group Buy section for the Xsporters

Your Price will depend on how many people we can get so I can negotiate. I am thinking you guys will save about 100.00 bucks or so.

Any other Thule or Malone stuff just shoot me an email or PM and we will work a good price for you.

cj@OEXCalifornia.com

 

Found mine online for 438.00 but ended up spending over 500 to get lash lock, pads, bed rail adapters, straps & load stops. Good luck on the group buy. This thing hauls 450 lbs of whatever you need it too. All kinds of uses, super sturdy & easy adjust, easy off/on. Stores flat against a wall pretty slim. Here's a pic (don't have one with both of the 12' kayaks on it)......

 

Curious who you bought that through and when it was purchased. The only thing I can think of is that it was one of the models prior to the 1 size fits all that came out this year.

 

It is the newer 422 that is the one for all model. Thought I got it from rack-it.com but not sure. Lemme dig around in paypal & find it.

edit - OK, paypal says it was 539 for the 422XT, adapters, lash lock, load stops, 4 tie down straps & shipping from orsracksdirect.com back in April. Cheapest I found now was a couple of places for 509 for the rack. There was some sale thing because at the time, this place was 100.00 cheaper than everywhere else I found it & I looked for awhile before buying it.

 

Its looking like I can do the Xsporters for TW members at like 499.00 which is a Bit cheaper than youll find elsewhere. These also will be the new Models.

As for Auto Anything, They are not allowed to advertise for less than 599.95. Thule will be Contacting them soon about that price.

 

that thing is huge.

 

I bought a truck rack a few years back from Spring Creek outfitters in MN (www.springcreek.com) that I used for my sea kayaks. I moved to where it was hot and dry for a while, but now I'm back in kayaking territory and I just bought a '10 tacoma. I was worried about fitting the rack to the bedrails- Chuck at Spring Creek was real helpful- sent me adapters they made to fit the rack to Toyota bedrails.

The rack is great- very solid- I've hauled 4 kayaks up there on my old truck. It looks good and it's not too hard to put on and you can take it off/put it on when you need it if you don't want it full time.

Anyhow here's a picture- I'll upload another once I put the boats on for the first tim this season

 

Man just build one that goes in your trailer hitch. 6' of 2x2" square tubing with a couple of hooks on it, and just use the $10 foam things on the cab. worth the 25 dollars in steel and 5 bucks for paint.

 

cheapest solution this is what i did till i had a topper....

get 4 two by fours make a simple a frame the width of bed and the top the width of the canoe......them make two side cradles to hold the kayak or canoe.... use a yakima cross bar up front or a towel to protect the paint.... strap the bow to the from two hook triangle style and the stern to trailer hitch
if you need plans re-post


might need a few dimension mods since i have a 2nd gen

 

Finally.......fresh pics of the kayaks on the Xsporter. 12' and stayed put great for 1000 miles this past wknd on a windier than hell trip around the state camping and mt biking.........