Looking for opinions for my Canoe/Kayak rack

Hi, hey, hola, etc...
I've been lurking for a while, but haven't done the whole introduction thread thing.

I've got a DCSB and will need to haul some small boats.
Using the receiver is out of the question, because I will also be towing a travel trailer.
Originally I was just looking at the TracRac (

$350 TracRac TracONE Universal Truck Rack- Silver

http://www.amazon.com/TracRac-27000-01-TracONE-Truck-Rack/dp/B003DMFDM2) but after lurking in a bunch of threads, I'm starting to think maybe I'd be better off with something more like this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/factory-rack-for-canoe.84411/page-3#post-7312985 but without the cap.

I currently have no cab rack, nor any tall crossbars over the bed; I have this lower-profile one that I picked up to rest the rear tires on while transporting bikes on my fork-mounts:

So I've got lots of options, I know...
I'm considering a single crossbar at the front over the cab, and a single TracONE-style (tall) one for the rear over the bed. I would consider both full sets, but I'm trying to keep the cost down.

Have any of you done anything similar, and have reasons as to why or why not do it?

 

Where did you get that bar? Looks awesome and could be a good starting point for a canoe rack.... maybe mod that to make it taller? Ive been trying to think of the right design for this too.....

As for over the cab i say just get those foam canoe pads.... and dont worry about a rack or anything

 

I took one of those generic racks and had @phillstill weld some small tabs on the bar. This allowed me to bolt it in on the rail system using t-slot nuts.





Haven't had any issue with it yet. I upgraded my straps to 25' long so that I could secure it to the bed as well as to the rack.

This is the base rack:

$110 TMS 800 LB Adjustable Fit 2 Bars Utility Ladder Truck Pick up Rack Kayak Contractor Lumber Utility

http://www.amazon.com/TMS-PICK-UP-RACK-650-Pound-Adjustable-Utility/dp/B009VOQ05U

 

How about factory roof racks? I run my 14' kayaks on those and it works out okay.

 

Your bar looks like the relentless fabrication bed crossbar, short version. I got two of their taller versions, had them weld two tabs on each one so I can mount the standard thule rack bar across. This easily holds two fishing kayaks below the cab (don't like above mount for mpg etc). I can easily get things in and out of the bed, and when not hauling boats I can remove the thule bars and use them for a RTT - they also have the HiLift mounts on them as well. You can kind of see what I am talking about in the pics. The second one shows the mount for the thule bars, did it with stainless allen bolts the have the rounded tops. Works a charm. The eye bolts are where I attach my ratchet straps. The boats are 10 footers, so hang of back some, but I have driven from Oklahoma to Wisconsin for two weeks with no issues.

 

Got it locally off a guy on CL. He said he had a pair of them fab'd at a shop, but the other one was left on the truck when he traded it in. I've looked at pictures the Relentless bars, and they look exactly like mine does - so who knows...

I like this... a lot... but I will need to have the boats further forward on the truck, so there's no interference with the trailer. I'm not sure on the length of canoe I'll be getting yet, but I'm thinking somewhere around 17'. This is why I'm thinking of supports both on top of the cab, and the bed. How comfortable would you be with a 17' boat on top of yours (with the majority of it in front of the rack itself)?

I LOVE the look and function of the factory racks, but the weight limits are a concern. I've had "aero" bars on other vehicles (in fact my wife's Forester has factory bars), and I've seen them flex to the point where I'm not totally comfortable with it. I don't have any experience with the standard aftermarket choices (Thule/Yakima) as far as cross-bars go. After looking at how various ones mount, I'm thinking I'd avoid the type that clip around, and would prefer the ones that bolt into the raingutter like the OEM ones.

Yeah, I'm thinking that mine's either a Relentless or a clone. I like your setup, but length is my concern. Since I'll have to worry about the trailer in the back, that means I'll have to put a large portion over the cab, so I'll need taller supports as well as something over the cab.

I'm already thinking I'll get a pair of these:

$20 Thule Hood Loop Strap 529

http://amzn.com/B004MZXI0I so securing the front doesn't mean I've got rope wrapped over my bumper/grille.

 

Oh yeah, forgot you were tugging a trailer, you will need over the cab. Good luck on the quest!!

 

The longest kayak I have is 13. If I got a 17, Id definitely want that on a roof rack as well as this rack. This way the weight can be distributed a little equally, as well as secure the front part of it it.

 

17 foot, 100 pound canoe. Easy on/ off and can sleep in the bed.

 

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking I'll end up doing, but without the cap.
I may go pick up part of my solution later today...

Which cab-mount rack is that? Are you happy with it? Any damage to the paint where they sit?

 

I'm in the middle of a similar set-up myself. I just got the OEM racks, and they are rated for 100lbs, which will hold my 2 yaks (8ft and 9.5ft) just fine, but maybe look into getting the Yakima Railgrab system and hook it onto the factory rack (with the bars folded in). I think the sturdier crossbars would tolerate a little more weight if that is your concern.

I'm also thinking about getting a bed rack, but may get a Soft Topper/Shell in the future so that would be a waste and would not work out. Probably the OEM rack with one ladder rack in the back would be a good set-up for a 17 footer

 

Yakima, and there are definitely marks in the paint but they buff out easily. I have gnarly dents from the rear bars where I had the canoe on without support over the bed and drove really fast on a terrible dirt road