Factory Rack for Canoe?

Your solution is by far the best. But I would really like to keep my bed cover on.

 

I see lumber racks on craigslist every week for $200 to $400, plenty tough for a canoe.

I use to lug around a 15' coleman canoe on a Yakima Rack system and it held but just barely... never trusted it but it worked.

 

I finally decided to go with the Yakima both for the confidence they provide and the ability to pull them off quickly. So here's my set-up: Yakima Q Towers on cab, 58in" crossbars, 44" fairing, canoe gunwale brackets on front rack, extend-a-hitch attached to receiver. It's on there SOLID.

 

^^^ Nice set up , looks sturdy ,


OZ

 

My only concern with that setup is the twisting flexing of the bed and cab being seperate when not driving on level pavement and what that might do to the boat.

 

The t-bar is attached via hitch receiver and that is connected to the frame, so shouldn't it move with the frame? I did strap down the t-bar as there is some play where it attaches to the hitch. Regardless, this is a Royalex boat so is pretty flexible & tough, so I'm not worried too much about damaging it unless until I hear some reports from other t-hitch users they've had problems. If it were something stiffer like fiberglass, I'd be a little more concerned.

 

Nice photos & hauling setups guys (05 Moose too ). These pics make me want to get the kayak out right now & head down out to the pond... our season is starting early

 

Wish I could get this type of responce for my OEM / surfboard post!! lol

 

Hang on, got that one too.....


Now link us to your post..........

 

using a yakima rack on my access cab carrying a 62 pound 14' tarpon. No issues so far.

 

This is how I transport my Kayaks......not about to screw up my shoulders/rotator cuff..Trailer cost = $250

 

thats pretty cool, do you have to register that?

 

Yea..a trip to DMV with the paperwork & $23....you can be in the best of shape & mess up your shoulders....then how you gonna paddle ?. This is so much easier to just slide it off the trailer , I can invite another person along, & also pack up my camping gear under the tonneau cover. Its really nothing but a 4x8 Utility trailer modified with 2x4 for bunks that I covered with cheap carpet. Also light enough so if I chose to, I can unhitch it & walk it over to the side of my garage .

 

My exact set-up except with factory dc rack I installed. I prefer the factory rack over the Yakima/Thule option because I don't like the clamps and mounts that eventually jack up the door seals. There are no issues with my 15' Mohawk royalite canoe on the highway, and I love the fact that I can eventually get an Undercover and still use the same set-up. I love the Thule X-sporters due to the factory rail usage, but damn they are pricey!

 

Nice but I can't leave a trailer on the side of my garage for HOA/POA to send me a letter about or for someone else to use it after they steal it. Not worth it to me to lose the garage space to store a trailer inside either. No gates wide enough to put it in the back yard. Thought about having a utility trailer for lots of things, especially before I had the truck to haul stuff in. Shoulda seen 2 12' kayaks on top of a Mazda Protege5 wagon, lol.

 

you should see a 16 foot canoe on a 73 beetle. but untill i figure out what im gonna get for the taco, i have to use my kids car to move the canoe.

 

I put an 16 foot old town canoe on my OEM rack with no issue....

I just put it on for pics and will reposition it before the trip. Fits nice!

 

Finally found someone post exactly what I am hoping to do with my 14.5 Old Town. This may have convinced me to buy the oem roof rack.

 

I have a 14.5 ft Old Town which weighs about 55 lbs. The OEM racks work great for this canoe. I especially like the fact that they "fold out of the way" when not in use and that I don't have to attach a rack each time I want to use the canoe like with Yakima or Thule.
I did buy a set of Thule straps/rope pulls which I use to secure the canoe onto the rack and tie down in front/rear.

 

Thanks vtdog, great info. sounds like we have the same canoe. Im getting a tonneau cover before hunting season so don't want to utilize bed for support.. but will order the rack next week for some trips this summer.