I find the factory roof rack to narrow for most canoes so I added some crossbars to better support them. I also use one of those extend a truck devices as pictured. (Harbor freight.com-$35) With it, I can haul a 14' canoe/yak in my short bed(!). I've also used it the tall way to haul a 17'4" x44" canoe . ( Stern on the extender. Bow on the "yakatule" bars/adapter I made for the factory rack. (See pics below.)
One thing to note, if you have a cap, canoes usually curve up at the ends. In many canoes, this means that the bow/stern will drop down 4-7" or below the rack (assuming you have the canoe inverted and rack supporting the center.) i.e if you use racks for the roof, you may have to put a spacer between it and the canoe so your bow/stern isn't hitting the roof .
FWIW, I had low profile artificial gutters mounted on my last glass cap. This alowed me to add Thule racks when ever I wanted. Still had to watch teh bow on most canoes though. (Almost broke the sun roof once!)
Yakathule Racks
Yakathule rack close-up
17'4" x44" Canoe on Frontier Short bed
p.s. Note the nylon loops sticking out of the hood gap. I highly recomend installing a set if your going to use your racks regularly.
__________________
07 Frontier LE, 4x4, Crew Cab, Short Bed, Avalanche White.
Mods: Access Lorado Tonneau, Raamat sound deadener, Custom Audio (JVC KW-GX700, XM, Ipod, Pioneer D702P, CDT HD-62, Infinity Ref, Alpine PDX4.100, Profile AP400 & PioneerTS-SW841D (front seat sub) Remote Start, Yakathule Racks, Wheel Locks, OEM All Season Mats, Silverstar Ultra Headlights, LED Back-ups, 13" Rubber Antenna, EZDown Gate Dampener, Light Buster hitch light.
Last edited by WeeHooker : 05-29-2008 at 12:19 AM.
|