Canoe Rack?

[OUG]

I'm looking to carry a 15'-16' canoe on top of my 98xj. I still have a factory roof rack. I know Thule/Yakima has an entire system to replace the roof rack with theirs and attach their canoe carrier. Does anyone have any other suggestions or expierence with this?

[rstarch345]

Is there a specific reason that you want to replace the rack? I have an 18' coleman that I carry on my stock rack. I put rubber strips between the aluminum boat gunnals and the rack then rachet strap it down. Other than a tornado, it doesn't go anywhere. I travel 490 miles multiple times a year this way.

If you are set on replacing it, then go for it. Yakima makes good stuff. Just remember, if you replace it and find you want to carry something else besides a canoe, you may have some problems.

[HodgePodge]

the thule rack is a bit more stout than the factory rack. If you have the money laying around and want to do it, its great. Although the factory rack works great as well. I find my factory rack flexs and i don't like that.

Just remember, if you replace it and find you want to carry something else besides a canoe, you may have some problems.
?? what kind of problems? no problem with Bikes, Skis, snowboards, kayaks, canoes. Load bags in a box, or throw a basket up there. Only problem I could see possible is $$

Yakima is cool if you like made in mexico.

[theschwarz1]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/theschwarz1/DSCF0245.jpg

[DaveD912]

I carry a two-person ocean kayak on my stock rack. Never felt like the stock rack was inadequate.

[Lawn Cher']

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/theschwarz1/DSCF0245.jpg

You should roll that rig over, it'll float better.

[theschwarz1]

What is really funny about this picture is that I was about to go on the worst canoe trip of my life!
Look at how low the water level is on my tires!
I was taking my nephew down a good conoing creek (in the spring and fall or a wet summer). This particular summer it was really low and I ended up draggin him in the canoe for about 12 miles , covered in biting flies....it was BAD!

[OUG]

I appologize for the confusion. Exactly as you intended I don't want to replace the roof rack. My question should have gone along the lines of "Does anyone have any expierence other then the Thule/Yakima system?"

[Lawn Cher']

Mopar used to sell some utility bars that are much stiffer than the factory cross rails and they fit right into the existing track. I have a pair on my wife's '01 and they seem pretty good, although we haven't really used them for anything.

[BruteXJ]

I've been known to carry five kayaks on top of the XJ at a time, and never lost one. The stock XJ roof rack is all you should need for one canoe, but if you've got a hard on for an upgrade, get the standard Yakima roof bars (the gutter-pinchers) and a couple of foam blocks to snuggle with your canoe.

The real issue is learning to tie it down right. You know you've got it right when you can shove on whatever's on your roof, and it doesn't move unless the Jeep does.

See you on the water!:)

[theschwarz1]

Yeah as you can see in my above picture....that is a stock roof rack, I use two bungies across the top and one on either end, one going down to the hitch and the other down to the tie rod...like the post above this one...It doesn't move unless the jeep moves.
THe rack flexes a tiny bit, but not much. My problem now is that my rear roof rack bar doesn't want to slide back and forth. Getting worn out i geuss!?!

[OUG]

Thanks for the insight everyone. If you've carried 5 kayaks on your factory roof rack, what is the load limit on a factory system?

[BruteXJ]

Couldn't give you any specs. The factory rack's fine for one canoe or a couple of kayaks, but I do reccomend upgrading if you're carrying more than three. I just doesn't "feel" right with more than that, although I did it anyhow.



Now how am I gonna strap down that piano....?

[riverfever]

What is really funny about this picture is that I was about to go on the worst canoe trip of my life!
Look at how low the water level is on my tires!
I was taking my nephew down a good conoing creek (in the spring and fall or a wet summer). This particular summer it was really low and I ended up draggin him in the canoe for about 12 miles , covered in biting flies....it was BAD!

You shoulda put the Nephew in the canoe and tight that sucker to the back bumper and driven him down the creek for 20 miles.

[AuburnoffroadXJ]

Here is Surco Rack
Jeff

http://uploadyourimages.com/img/605087jeep_canoe.jpg

[orvpark]

you could also pick up a couple of extra stock rails to spread the load a bit more. I use a Yakima gutter mount that is very solid.

[theschwarz1]

Here is Surco Rack
Jeff

http://uploadyourimages.com/img/605087jeep_canoe.jpg

Whats the specs on your XJ? It looks sweet!

[karstic]

You can buy MightyMounts from Yakima which mount their Gunwhale Brackets to the stock roof rack.

Wanna buy a set of gunwahle brackets? I have a set for sale.

[AuburnoffroadXJ]

Thanks, that pictures several years old. But its a 92 and I think it was 3 inch Rancho/Rustys w/ 31x10.50. Its changed a little since then.

Jeff

[theschwarz1]

well it looks sharp.

[Hunter-Lynchburg,Va]

your factory roof rack rails will flex in the wind with a boat up there. for a sturdier mount go with yakima, thule, or just some gutter mounts and a 2x6. this jc whintney set up would be fine and much cheaper. also look on ebay for thule/yakima gutter mounts.

tying your boat on:

DO NOT USE BUNGEE CORDS, they are meant to stretch. that is the nature of their design, you do not want whatever holds your boat on your car to stretch. cam straps or rope are your best bet, ratchets if you have to (they tend to put too much pressure on the boat where the ratchet it and can chew up the side of the boat as well when twisting in the wind at speed)

also it is better to tie down your boat by looping the straps/rope around the bars and over the boat as opposed to going to the outside of the rack. the proper way i describe will not only hold your boat down onto the crossbars but it will also keep it from shifting side to side. if you want to be real cautious tie a bow line to keep the bow of the boat from scooping wind and flying off the top of your vehicle



http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/10010472.gif;pvbc47a9192f788a69
jc whitney link (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/showCustom-0/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2007183/c-10101/Nty-1/p-2007183/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10101/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=rain%20gutter%20mounts)


Hunter

[BruteXJ]

I agree, and was going to say something similar, but you can't really teach someone to tie down or tie knots on-line.

I prefer to leave it as: Push the boat and the Jeep moves first, it's ok.

[theschwarz1]

Well, I use bungies, but I only try to use the black rubber ones. THe other ones dont seem to have as much strength. Rope is good but if your boat shifts or settles or your rope stretches at all and gets slack in it, you may have a problem. Thats the only reason I like bungies is because they keep CONSTANT tension all the time. I make sure they are real tight and use a bow and stern bungie. THe setup in my above pictures was for short trips. I usually hook one one side and flip over the top and secure it on the other side. I do that twice at either end so that the bungies are pulling against themselves and have the canoe "wedged" or "trapped" in between.......wheew, thats alot of explaining for something that just takes a little common sense. Sorry