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Larry71 · 07-30-2005, 05:07 PM

We have a son in Colorado and we want to take him his 14 foot canoe. We live in NJ. We are thinking about loading it on top of our 1971 Safari. It would fit over the air conditioner and we could tie it down in the front and back of the trailer.

Would there be a problem with the wind resistance building up under the canoe that might cause it to go flying onto the highway when we are traveling on the interstates? Loading it on top of the trailer will also be a project.

Anyone have any thoughts about this whole idea?

InsideOut · 07-30-2005, 05:23 PM

I would be concerned about the wind resistance creating dents in the aluminum. But even more likely, would be rub marks from the canoe & tiedowns.

Shari

overlander63 · 07-30-2005, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

I would be concerned about the wind resistance creating dents in the aluminum. But even more likely, would be rub marks from the canoe & tiedowns.

Shari

I would also be conceerned with potential damage to the air conditioner, and shroud, from the canoe continually bouncing against it.
My initial reaction would be to say, "don't do it."

Tarheel · 07-30-2005, 05:53 PM

Get the rubrail canoe foam blocks from your local outfitter. This will keep the canoe from damaging or being damaged during transport. If its only 14' why not put it on top of the tug? That is where I carry my 18'-6" one.

05ModPod · 07-30-2005, 06:05 PM

What is wrong with the top of yourTV/ car???

I'm with Shari the rope will rub on the trailer and make a nice black mess - as well how heavy is your canoe?? - usually just enough support for the AC without added weight up there - and with a 71 if you have not checked your axles - you might be having a canoe for two ocasions by the time you get to where you are going.

C Johnson · 07-30-2005, 06:48 PM

Just my .o2 I put my 18 ft canoe on my pickup. I had a Rack system installed on my canopy. It rides great there and keeps the bugs off my tt. Plus it is easy to put up there and take down.

Chris

driftwood · 07-30-2005, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Anyone have any thoughts about this whole idea?

Yeah, the idea stinks

Put it on the tow vehicle!

CanoeStream · 07-30-2005, 07:41 PM

I vote for on the tow vehicle. Few canoes are beamy enough to be wider than the AC unit. Then the foam gunwale blocks do tend to allow big movements sideways when trucks pass -- either from back or oncoming. Airstreams are very high when it comes to trying to get up on top and mount a canoe. And there is no purchase point on the trailer for a mid-canoe cross strap --- even if there were you would mar the plasticote something fierce from rubbing while underway! Transport conditions tend to get hairiest when it gets windy and they always will hit you at right angles at some point -- which is likely to happen on such a long trip. A canoe needs all the anchoring of a strong-drawing sail on a sailing vessel.

Shops that sell canoes tend to have the foam blocks and strap sets for you. Keep your tow vehicle clean and wax the roof before you ever leave. Don't fool around -- that is a mighty long distance to be transporting and expecting nothing but benign conditions.

Larry71 · 07-31-2005, 06:13 PM

Thanks for all your input. It really sounds like a bad idea and we are abandoning it. Our tow vehicle (Titan) is not adaptable to carrying a canoe. With the potential problems in transporting, it is better to try to sell the one in NJ and buy another one in Colorado.

Larry

overlander63 · 07-31-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry71

Thanks for all your input. It really sounds like a bad idea and we are abandoning it. Our tow vehicle (Titan) is not adaptable to carrying a canoe. With the potential problems in transporting, it is better to try to sell the one in NJ and buy another one in Colorado.

Larry

Unless you are emotionally attached to your NJ canoe, that may be best for all concerned, both people and equipment. Canoes are (relatively) inexpensive, Airstreams are not.

Davydd · 07-31-2005, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry71

Thanks for all your input. It really sounds like a bad idea and we are abandoning it. Our tow vehicle (Titan) is not adaptable to carrying a canoe. With the potential problems in transporting, it is better to try to sell the one in NJ and buy another one in Colorado.

Larry

Larry, Don't give up. Here is my kayak solution with the Titan. I'm sure you can figure out how to carry a canoe. The overhead racks are from Nissan and the carry system is Yakima.

CanoeStream · 07-31-2005, 07:32 PM

I've got a Titan also and have seen these carry bars on another. It is proper to mount a kayak as in Davydd's picture. Always transport a canoe upside down or keel up.

If you go this route for carrying the canoe you'll have spent close to half the price of a very nice canoe. Might as well give your son the Titan too!! Wa-a-ay Cool, Dad!!!

Davydd · 07-31-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canoe stream

I've got a Titan also and have seen these carry bars on another. It is proper to mount a kayak as in Davydd's picture. Always transport a canoe upside down or keel up.

If you go this route for carrying the canoe you'll have spent close to half the price of a very nice canoe. Might as well give your son the Titan too!! Wa-a-ay Cool, Dad!!!

I didn't say it was cheap.

But it is cheaper than getting a new tow vehicle. I had the kayak saddles from using them on other auto solutions. Over the years I have collected more mounting solutions than you can imagine. And I bet the next vehicle will demand yet another mounting solution.

I have the Yakima bars that I don't use here and used to carry our canoe (upside down of course) with the mounting stops Yakima sells. We have a canoe but find the kayaks more fun to use. The only place I would not use them would be in the Boundary Waters. The canoe still rules supreme there.

davidz71 · 07-31-2005, 08:56 PM

I've been looking at racks on the www.thule.com site. I'm comtemplating a canoe and rack purchase next April to add to my outdoor pleasure.

RichardT · 07-31-2005, 09:12 PM

I have purchased a few Airstreams that came with unmounted awnings that i wanted to take home, I opened the front window and removed the screen and fed the awning into the trailer.

Why not do this with the canoe if it will fit thru the window opening.

Minnie's Mate · 08-01-2005, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidz71

I've been looking at racks on the www.thule.com site. I'm comtemplating a canoe and rack purchase next April to add to my outdoor pleasure.

Hey Craig, I can't get the web site to work. Does it do anything?

Kinder · 08-01-2005, 10:01 AM

The Thule site is : www.thuleracks.com

I've had Thule on my last 4 cars, going back to 1995. If you can get a rack for the Titan, and I think they do make a "generic" truck tower system for probably a bit less than Nissan, the canoe carrier attachment is amazingly stable and easy to set up, I highly recommend it and Thule in general. That said, I just sold my canoe this summer as I am no longer within a few hours of the Boundary Waters--moving west--and plan to buy a kayak next spring! Thule isn't cheap but you might find those racks quite useful for bikes or other equipment once you deliver the canoe. Good luck!

sovereignrwe · 08-01-2005, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardT

I have purchased a few Airstreams that came with unmounted awnings that i wanted to take home, I opened the front window and removed the screen and fed the awning into the trailer.

Why not do this with the canoe if it will fit thru the window opening.

Now that is some great thinking!

flyfisher · 08-01-2005, 10:51 AM

Why can't you just make a rack out of 2x4's or something similar for the Titan? Doesn't it have slots in the top of the bedrail that you could fit those into and make your own canoe carrier. Lots of people who have trucks do that.

I have a Hauler (brandname) aluminum ladder rack on the back of my Ford F250 that I use to carry my cataraft. It matches the Airstream's aluminum. That might be another option, although more expensive than making your own rack.

On a somewhat different subject, I have a pair of Yakima cartop carriers in like new condition that I used on the top of my Ford Expedition several years ago. They are built like a tank, and are aerodynamically designed. I only used them a couple times before selling my Expedition, so they just sit around collecting dust. If anyone is interested, I would part with them for a song (less than a price of a full fledged opera, but slightly more than that cheap punk rock!).

John

davidz71 · 08-01-2005, 04:38 PM

Sorry for posting just part of the Thule site. On the site I posted you have to click on the vehicle rack configuration you want but I don't see one for trucks. Thulerack is the correct site.