Transporting a canoe

http://www.autoanything.com/roof-racks/yakima-drydock-hitch-mount-kayak-canoe-carrier

just put that on my access cab to carry a 14 foot kayak. works great.

 

didn't want to put 2 yaks on the roof? Keeps the bed clear.

 

I would, but don't like the look of the factory roof rack. Not a fan of the way Prinsu looks either. Like the frontrunner rack, but $$$$$$. After looking at the Thule Xporter, that's too much $$ as well. I'm looking at something cheap and simple like this:

$165 Pro-Series HTCARG 500 lbs. Capacity Cargo Truck Rack

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-HTCARG-C...=UTF8&qid=1499440148&sr=1-5&keywords=bed+rack

and modifying it to be held on with clamps used to hold a camper shell on with. That way it would be fairly simple to take it off when I need the bed. Still a work in progress though. Doing research and trying to figure out my best option that doesn't look too goofy.

 

I have the Rola ladder racks and put my 16' kayak up there, pretty easy to get it up there on stock suspension.
https://www.etrailer.com/Ladder-Racks/Toyota/Tacoma/2017/59799.html?vehicleid=201734799
It's secured using the bed rail tracks, after you get it assembled it can be removed quickly and be put back on in around 10 minutes.

I'm pretty happy so far, it does whistle some on the interstate but I think I can cure that with caulk in the right places. I bought it about 4 months ago, and it was $100 cheaper than it is now

 

That looks pretty nice. Any pics of it installed and loaded up?

 

Sorry this is the only pic I have of the rack, should be able to get one with the boats on it this weekend

 

Here's mine. 8 bolts and 4 pieces make it easy setup and store in my garage.

 

I will say that I did the whole Rhino Rack thing in the winter when I bought the truck, so at the time I had it all installed I hadn't been able to use it. I've been out several times the past few weekends with kayaks loaded and it's been a great setup. The load rating is 220lb. I've actually stood on top of it while strapping the kayaks on and it is super secure. The bars pop off super easy, if I had to do it over again it was well worth the investment, but you are looking at about $500-550 DIY and $700'ish pro installed. I just picked up another Yakima Jaylow and with that I can load 4 across (haven't done it yet, but they do all fit and within weight spec).

Biggest issue for me with any bed mount system is I have the factor tri-fold and I don't want to give it up.

 

I went the Yakima route for my mohagany Old Town OTCA. I was able to get a single bar on the front by going through the "fit my vehicle" tool on their website then deleting the rear towers and feet, then buying a single crossbar through the spare parts section. This would work well with the trailer hitch option if I didn't have the topper.

 

I really like this. I think this may be the best option for me currently. I may wait to see if it goes on sale of some sort. How do you attach you kayak? With some sort of mounting system, or just foam blocks and some straps, etc.?

 

Here's how I did mine over the 4th. Yakima with the canoe attachments. Solid over our 1000 mile weekend. For reference, its a 17 foot aluminum canoe, around 85 pounds. I didnt trust the Toyota OEM rack with it.

 

Somebody on here showed these to me and they work awesome. They bolt under the hood so they are always there, and have a loop so you pull them out and attach the line to the bow of the boat rather than run a line in front of the grill against the paint (if that bothers you).

https://www.rei.com/product/818318/seattle-sports-hood-loops

 

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep it in mind. So far the pipe insulation around the rope is working nicely. The bow line isnt very tight, so there's not much friction. If it annoys me enough I'll splurge for the $7.00 straps you suggested.

 

I just strap it to the crossbars, sometimes I put foam if I remember it lol. I would like to get a mounting system at some point, it's just not a priority.

 

Here's my truck with the kayaks on it.

 

I'm sure this is probably fine, but I worry about spanning the cab/bed junction and possibly torqueing the canoe by driving over uneven terrain.