[joelschneider]

Hello everyone. I will soon be heading out on the first canoe trip with the wagon and am having a dilemma. Normally the scanoe (16' square stern canoe) rides on top of my SUV. I have tow hooks on the front and a hitch on the rear to attach my straps to the front and back of the canoe. Then I throw one around the middle inside the truck and close the doors. (no luggage rack). I have done this several times and have found that I get the least amount of turbulence by slightly lowering the front to pierce the wind also by strapping down the front I am putting the least amount of stress on the frame of the canoe. On my wagon the only thing I can see on the front of the car would be the tow hook which is offset and recessed behind the bumper cover. I am not looking to crack the hell out of the front of my car and really don't want to break my canoe in half. Anyone with experience in this situation or any advice would be greatly appreciated. I do like to make good time and will more than likely be traveling at speeds in excess of 80 MPH, old habits die hard. Thank you in advance for any response. Joel:bowdown:

 

[Kajtek1]

You have about 6' span on the factory rack. Isn't that enough to support 16" canoe?
That leave 5' front and 5' rear overhang.
Don't think front straps helps at all, unless you make solid bar between canoe and car bumper. Actually I think they bring more stress to the canoe.
Another option would be move the canoe to the back and make solid support using rear hitch.

 

[joelschneider]

You have about 6' span on the factory rack. Isn't that enough to support 16" canoe?
That leave 5' front and 5' rear overhang.
Don't think front straps helps at all, unless you make solid bar between canoe and car bumper. Actually I think they bring more stress to the canoe.
Another option would be move the canoe to the back and make solid support using rear hitch.

I think I will make some test runs with it this week. if I move the bars on the rack all the way up and strap the shit out of it I might feel comfortable. The main reason I put the straps on the front was to keep the nose down to avoid the open parachute effect. This is a large canoe, a little over 40 " wide in the middle and with the square stern all the wind that goes in stays in. I might have to bite the bullet and take one of the smaller ones but this one 2 people can STAND and fish at the same time, Which if you have ever fished out of a canoe is a rare treat. I will give it a shot. Thanks

 

[Kajtek1]

The parachute effect might be valid in case if you don't have roof rack and just lay the object on the curved roof. I've seen lot of mattresses on car roof folded in half, so I know what you mean.
I am carrying a lot on my roofs. Just today brought 37' long beams with total weigh of about 6000 lb on the "roof" of my flatbed. Roof is the box front frame and reinforced rear tailgate.
On my wagon I was carrying lot of strange stuff. Doors, lawn-mowers, wheelbarrows, 10' pipes, bicycles -you name it. Lot of that stuff went to my project 500 mies away at 80 mph. I am having much more confidence with MB racks, that with a rope tied up to the front.