NewB question...roof rack

[Jetfixer03]

Ok, lazy Sunday snow day today, so I'm day dreaming about camping and pondering about how to haul a canoe. I'd love to have one, but with a short bed F150 I'm thinking of how I could do it. I know that loading/unloading would be a challenge, but is it conceivable to travel with it on top of my little 195RB? It's 80 lbs and 14 ft long. Seems like you could mount a couple of padded rails on the roof and it would be fine the there upside down. It wouldn't be higher than the A/C?

[Tbos]

I'd be more inclined to put a rack on the truck instead of the trailer.


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[chuckster57]

I've seen lots of different things on the top of trailers. My first concern would be mounting the rack. Are you thinking permanent? if so then you have to pay attention to sealing the points that penetrate the membrane. Then there's the issue of valuation if/when you sell it. I don't think there is any way I would use a temporary rack on a trailer, the side rails aren't THAT strong like a roof of a car/truck.

[Jetfixer03]

I'd think something temporary would probably be asking for trouble, there's nothing good to fasten it to. There is plenty of info on mounting solar panels that would apply to a permanent installation. I'd probably look at well nuts first. Bikes go on the truck bed.

[sourdough]

When we go to FL every year I see lots and lots of canoes/kayaks on trucks in all sorts of configurations....on TRUCKS. I would put a rack on the truck and be done with it. LOTS of down sides to putting it on the trailer and not any up sides.

[440justin]

If it were me I would look at ways to mount to you truck. Then when you get to camp just unhook the trailer and drive to the water and unload you canoe. Saves some extra effort in moving from your camper to truck. I would also think about how are you going to get the canoe on top of the camper if you do make a rack. That is a long ways off the ground.

If you want something fancy you cold add a ladder rack to the truck for the canoe, or you could go really simple and get a set of foam blocks and just put the canoe on the roof of the truck. I have used the foam blocks before and they with just fine as a cheap solution. If I were going to travel offer of lots of miles I think I would get something like a ladder rack.

Bet sure to let is know what you do and share some pictures.

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[canesfan]

I'd put it on the truck. Ladder rack. One of my favorite SPs has a boat ramp and I see campers coming in with all kinds of configurations with canoes and kayaks on their trucks. It's amazing to see what some people come up with, and a lot of them have bikes hanging off one end or the other, too.

[Jetfixer03]

It's clear what the consensus is! lol
On first thought 14 ft seems like a lot for a shortbed, but surely people have come up with a thousand solutions. I'll poke around.

[Jetfixer03]

such as....
Way simpler. Duh.

[sourdough]

I've seen all manner of configurations/contraptions on trucks for the kayaks/canoes. Most use the stake holes and then the rack extends over the cab. Some for one canoe, some for 2 or more. I've also seen then mounted in the bed and the canoe hung at an angle over the side. ALL kinds of ways to get them up there and so much more convenient that trying to use the trailer.

[Javi]

https://www.usrack.com/responsive/fi...truck-rack.php

Problem solved

[ctbruce]

Originally Posted by Jetfixer03

such as....
Way simpler. Duh.

And this way you have half of a crosshair to help with those who cut you off. Metaphorically speaking, of course, only in your mind.