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How do we carry a canoe on van roof?
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Posted by Glitter53 (My Page) on Mon, Jun 20, 05 at 16:31
In the "olden" days, we tied everything to bumpers; now, however they're few and far between.
We want to purchase a 16' fibreglass canoe and need to know how to tie it down. We know about the swimming noodles, or the other foam things to place on the canoe, but when it comes to tying it to the van...how's that done without bumpers....instead the car just sort-of ends! ;-)
Hope someone can help.....
Thanks!
Linda |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: How do we carry a canoe on van roof?
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Just last evening, i saw a canoe being towed on a small trailer! the trailer looked like it had been designed especially for canoes, because it wasn't wide like a regular boat trailer! Seemed to be going along quite well!
Could you have somebody install rope cleats under the bumpers, on the reinforcement? Then, use soft foam blocks to keep the rope off the painted parts.
Or, go to the auto wreckers, buy a roof rack from them, the kind that was on the 1985-89 Dodge/ Plymouth vans. Have somebody install it the right way, and use that! But you'd still probably need some cleats to tie to!
Rustyj |
RE: How do we carry a canoe on van roof?
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Hm. Never thought about getting cleats attached to the frame.....I'll check into that! As for roof racks, fortunately they're not necessary (at least in this case), as using the 'solid' foam blocks sold for the purpose of attaching to the canoe then overturned on them, on the roof is quite sufficient. Then there are the pool noodles others use! ;-)
Thanks for your suggestion! Appreciate it! |
RE: How do we carry a canoe on van roof?
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| How? Very carefully. We had a rental one come off once when we stopped and it landed in front of us in the middle of the road. The lady with the rental office had tied it on so it was not our fault (but it made us take notice!) Hubby's uncle had cleats installed on his car and they were worth every penny. |
RE:More of how do we carry a canoe on van roof?
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Note: Most vans have steel reinforcements behind the fancy bumper covers. (The painted parts) Those are where i suggested having the cleats installed, not on the car frame!
There is a "One-man boat/ canoe loader being sold, not sure by whom! It goes onto the trailer hitch ball, has a post and some way to put one end of canoe onto it, then you lift and swing the other end of the canoe around to the front of the car/van, and you set it in place and tie it down. I've seen that item in camper magazines.
(I think you hook the back end of canoe to post, with it down low, then push both up and a pin may go thru it to keep it up. then you do the rest of it as above.) Check into it, may help!
Rustyj |
RE: How do we carry a canoe on van roof?
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| Thank you for your great advice!! Cleats sound like the perfect solution...will send Hubby to find out who installs them...any garage? That seems most stable. I just picked up the canoe for him, a 16' fibreglass number...too cute! He was very surprised, and when he asked how the heck we're going to carry it without a roof rack, I had a couple suggestions ready and waiting!! It was an anniverstay gift for him from me! Thanks again!!! And Kathy...sorry for your experience with it...hope everything worked out well in the end! |
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