I'm wanting to put a canoe up on the roof of my 03 super cab. The trailer hitch is occupied, so can't put a support in it. I'm thinking about tying the front of the canoe down to the tow hooks, and then supporting it over the cab somehow, and tying down to my bed cleats.

My question is - do I need to go with an anchored roof rack bar? Or can I just use the foam cushions that go over the gunnels?

 

when I used to have a canoe my first rack I built looked like this.....



I gradually saved some money up and got one that looks like this....



you can haul it on the roof with the foam pads also but I never liked hauling it that way.... it does scoot around a bit with cross winds....

 

I have seen the tube metal one for sale online, but I'm hesitant to drill into my bed rails. Would building a wooden one give enough span between tie down points?

 

it should....here's one on a Chevy....

 

How I transported a canoe on my 2005....

 

You can buy clamp on ladder racks...

 

I know this is an old thread but I have to chime in...

For a single boat, I use the foam canoe carrier blocks to protect the roof of the truck, and attack to the grille guard. Barring grille guard I would go tow hooks. The stern gets attached down to the bed cleats.

For 2 boats I use a shop built wooden wide rack with uprights to keep them from sliding laterally... Still anchored the same way. The rack mounts into the stake pockets and is screwed down using fender washers keeping the rack from lifting...

Keep your speed under about 60 and stop at least every hour to re-check your tie downs...