canoe transport

[frumpy]

Not sure where this would fit best so I'll try here. I'm planning on a canoe outing and am trying to figure out the best way to transport a canoe without dropping a ton of cash.

I have a 2000 F150 short box (with no tailgate). I was thinking about putting some pads on the roof and setting the front of the canoe on that and then a 2x4 across the sides of bed at the very back and having it rest on that so its on an angle. Tie downs shouldn't be a problem as the back could be secured to the trailer hitch or rear bed anchors and the front could go to the front two tie down points. My only concern is having the top pointing up in the air. The canoe we are using is a two person (so about 15').

Would this be safe? Any better suggestions that aren't a fortune. Only other option I can think of is rent a uhaul trailer.

 

[rynosurf]

Dont the 150's have gate holes in the bedrails of the truck? If so then just build two cheap racks out of lumber and just slide them in. I wouldn't put it at an angle if you are driving too far or it's going to act like a big sail.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I agree with Rynosurf. For the cost of renting a trailer you could either have a bracket welded that would fit in the rear bed holes and support the rear of the canoe level with the front, or just go the pro route:

 

[BIGdaddy]

i agree with the above. build some wood stakes that can go into the stake holes that'll span the bed and keep it horizontal

I don't want your canoe entering a low earth orbit and neither do the people you share the road with! :elkgrin:

 

[frumpy]

found a pic of what I was talking about. I may build someting but right now I really don't have anywhere to keep whatever I build.

 

[cowboy63645]

Something like this would be ideal.

 

[mountainpete]

If it's temporary and you are not doing a lot of off-road, go cheap: A few 2x4's attached together with lag bolts to form a cab high platform at the end of the bed. The whole thing is probably less then $25 if you don't have the wood already.

Something like this, with foam on the cab roof instead of wood:

 

[Flyboat]

I have seen an entire (skid unit) built of 2" pvc that works pretty good. Be sure to tie to the truck and not the rack. It could exit on it. See what the folks at texaskayakfisherman.com have come up with. Kayaks, canoes, they all haul pretty much the same.

 

[frumpy]

Not a bad idea for that wood rack, how stable are those bed pockets though?

Heres another idea I had since I will not be really doing any trails (other than a dirt road or two to get to the water). They are about $100 though. I wish I had a welder, could probably build it for $20

 

[mountainpete]

Not a bad idea for that wood rack, how stable are those bed pockets though?

Try it. Stick a piece of wood in the pocket. F150 stake pockets decent and you have nothing to lose.

If we are talking about light use and not on any off-road trails it's more then fine.

 

[frumpy]

It would be for on road for sure, maybe some gravel roads but thats it. The guy on kijiji wants $180 to build one of those hitch ones (even though they retail for less then that and the retail ones are fully adjustable and can also be used at roof height).

 

[TheOne]

canoe rack

Depending on how quick you need one ebay has a whole rack setups rather cheap.

that is how i got mine.

 

[rynosurf]

This is exactly what I had in mind. You could probably make it for free and just burn it after your trip!

 

[frumpy]

From that TKF site, it looks like thats the way to go. Just going to be a bit more of a pain loading it by myself

A few people on that site are saying it can wreck the pocket over time. So, if my finance decides she likes the canoe thing, I will be investing in a good rack.

 

[mountainpete]

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking. Good example!

It's actually pretty easy to solo load a canoe if the bed is empty. Just put the bow on the wooden rack and get in the bed. Then pull up the canoe from underneath while standing in the bed.

Just use some foam things like this on the cab. The slots keep it attached to the gunwales.