Canoe roof mount options with a raised truck cap (ARE MX)

https://imgur.com/a/iNJwBdV

Ok so that's my current setup. 17ft canoe. I have an ARE MX cap with installed rails and came across a super deal on some used towers/crossbars. Both the paddle shop and my local rack shop said this is pretty much the best option (centered on cap rack)...but it just looks goofy to me and I would much rather have it more centered over the truck overall. Rack shop basically didn't want to get into it and just stated they couldn't match the height of the cap rack so there was nothing else to consider.

Anyone else come up with a creative solution for this? An additional cab roof rack and just have it angle down a bit? Something like a contractor rack that works with the existing cap and extends over the cab? Just a giant block of foam on the roof and tie downs through the cab?

 

How about one bar on the cab… I have the Yakima ones maybe get the one made for the forward most position. They go on and off the truck in five minutes with ease once they have been set up, and then wrap it with something thick enough to make the height the same like a foam roller or something with a hole through it.

 

Of course the best advice might come from somebody up in Canoe country. I’m partial to the businesses in Ely, Minnesota. I’m sure they’ve run into this plenty. I use Piragis and I bet if you call them up in the middle of the week in the middle of the day when they’re not busy sending groups out or bringing them in they can probably give you some good ideas

 

Contractor lumber rack (full size, front bar extending over cab) will solve your problem, reducing the current ~6' rear overhang, which is very likely illegal in many states, possibly your state as well, to just a foot or so.

 

I did get a quote on one of those as that does seem like a decent solution. Seems like it's close to 1200 for one installed though...which...is a lot.

Appreciate the head's up on the overhang law - just looked it up and it seems my state (Oregon) allows up to 3/4 of the wheelbase (12ft, so 9ft permissible overhang) - which sounds bonkers, but good to know! Will def review for roadtrips though...

 

Interesting. I guess I got confused by what I've heard for CA (Calif.) regulations. I always heard it was "4 feet, maximum, period."

But when I look it up, for California, indeed it's 2/3rds of the vehicle wheelbase.

The 4-foot rule is just a flagging requirement, anything longer than 4 feet must be flagged during daylight hours and equipped with proper marker light(s) at night.

https://dot.ca.gov/programs/traffic-operations/legal-truck-access/overhang

Also of note, for calculating the max allowable overhang (but not for flagging,) technically the amount of overhang is measured "from the last point of support," not from the rear of the vehicle.

 

Double checked Oregon law - similar flagging requirement, but slightly different wording - "with a load that extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of the vehicle".

Appreciate the close read, will be more attentive to other states laws.