I have purchased a 14' Canoe to take with the family when we go camping. I'm looking for ideas on how to transport it while towing the Travel Trailer.

First thought was just run a t-bar off the bumper and rest back of canoe there. Problem is when we stop while enroute to destination I would have to unload canoe to lower tailgate to access bed for Generator and other items I might need.

Second was a ladder rack type carrier but finding one the will work with my Fold up Bed cover is the problem with this idea. I've been looking at one from U.S. Rack, however its over $400.00 and I hate to spend that much when I only need one to haul canoe.

Third idea was to build my own. A friend says he could weld me one up, I just have to find a way to anchor to the Stake posts.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

Put boat on trailer. Make a frame that can be removable to top of trailer. It would have to be pretty strong considering the wind forces on it. Does that make the rig too tall? . just one idea.

 

Here is how I tranpsport mine (pics from Lake Ray Roberts )




The setup is from Yakima. You could do the same thing in the front as I have, using a set of their towers and a cross bar. Then for the back, instead the hitch mounted "Dry Dock" that I have, you could probably fab something that would go in the rear stake pocket holes to support the stern. That's what I did with my 1/2 ton. I used 2x4's for uprights and a piece of iron pipe for the cross piece. I mounted some hardware to the 2x4's that let me slip them in and out of the stake pockets. Yakima and Thule might already have something like that. My setup was a bit spendy, but worth it to me, that thing doesn't budge.

~Rob

 

Install a front mount receiver. Then use the same idea and equipment as Hotdram suggests, only the overhang is in the front of your truck. This also will give you a little piece of mind, since you can see the canoe.

 

Robert......You just need to trade your trailer in and get a Toyhauler... <jk>

Seriously, I agree with Motobuffy.

You mentioned to me at work you were thinking about getting a Ranch Hand Front End or something similar. If you get one with a front receiver couldn't you just load it like HotDram has above but have your welder buddy rig something up around where the cab and bed come together? The canoe would be over the cab then and wouldn't effect your TT or access to the bed any, right? That is about the only way I can see to do it. Hope that helps.

..

 

What kind of travel trailer? If its a pop up, you could put a rack on the the top of the trailer its self. Other wise these guys have all the ideas I would have suggested.

I have seen canoes strapped to the sides of Camper trailers before. Kind of interesting.

Over the cab with a front or rear support frame would be my choice.

D-C out!

 

Have your buddy modify on so it comes out the receiver, goes along the bumper then goes up so you can get the gate open, just be careful not to block the taillight.

 

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ghlight=yakima


I have the same issues, (pull a travel trailer and haul my 16' canoe), but multiplied now since I upgraded to the Mega Cab.

I believe my last response is the best solution now.

Sam

 

A picture of your rig would help for us to make suggestions.

Some considerations would be.

Wind resistance. Easy of loading and unloading. Visablity problems. Accessing other things you might have loaded....
Lowering tail gate.

Running it out over the front of a truck is a nice way to go. It really doesn't hurt your vision much. If you loaded and unloaded from the front you could have a trailer on and it wouldn't cause problems.

Without seeing what you have it makes it a bit hard for suggestions.

 

As soon as I get it rigged out, I'll post a photo.

 

I have a cap with a roof rack that works great for keeping my camping gear dry and the canoe ontop the truck while towing the travel trailer.

 

Nice setup. Just what I had before with the 01' model extended cab. The problem was stabilizing a 16 ft canoe with bow NOT hitting the cab. Tight squeeze. It will be impossible to do this with a camper top on a MEGA cab unless there were some racks with much higher feet. I had Yakima track and control towers before which only give about 4 inch clearance.

 

i center the front tip of the canoe (16') right over the center cab light and i have no problems with it hitting. i guess it depends on the canoe brand to. my canoe spends alot of time on my truck in duck season.