Canoe on factory rack of 06 Sport

wibadger28 · Apr 16, 2014

Has anyone put a canoe on the factory rack of an 06-09 Sport 4runner with a factory rear spoiler? It looks like a canoe will hit/rest on the rear spoiler and I'm hesitant to do this because the spoiler isn't the most sturdy. Or have you had to get an after market rack to raise the canoe up a bit?

Thanks!

NuclearN8 · Apr 16, 2014

I roll with my old town guide 119 on top of the wife's 4runner with a stock rack once in a while... it works just fine with some of those nifty pads sold at most major outdoor shops (cableas, dicks, gander, bass pro, REI, LLBEAN etc... ).. clears the stock spoiler by about 1.5" with the pads, without them, no way it'd clear the spoiler.

like these on amazon: Amazon.com: Malone Standard Foam Block Universal Car Top Canoe Carrier Kit: Sports & Outdoors

wibadger28 · Apr 16, 2014

NuclearN8 said:
I roll with my old town guide 119 on top of the wife's 4runner with a stock rack once in a while... it works just fine with some of those nifty pads sold at most major outdoor shops (cableas, dicks, gander, bass pro, REI, LLBEAN etc... ).. clears the stock spoiler by about 1.5" with the pads, without them, no way it'd clear the spoiler.

like these on amazon: Amazon.com: Malone Standard Foam Block Universal Car Top Canoe Carrier Kit: Sports & Outdoors

Thanks! I was wondering if those pads would give it enough clearance. Do you have an 06 Sport as well? I have a 17 ft canoe but would think the pads would work for that too.

ebg18t · Apr 16, 2014

I have seen others put pipe insulation on the gunnel to protect the rear spoiler.

NuclearN8 · Apr 16, 2014

ebg18t said:
I have seen others put pipe insulation on the gunnel to protect the rear spoiler.

yup, some of that can't hurt... but isn't really needed as the canoe gunwalls will never touch the spoiler if tied down tightly enough.

klas45 said:
Thanks! I was wondering if those pads would give it enough clearance. Do you have an 06 Sport as well? I have a 17 ft canoe but would think the pads would work for that too.

I have an 05 sport and my wife has an 07 limited... same roof/spoiler clearance configuration as your 06 sport

ebg18t · Apr 17, 2014

NuclearN8 said:
yup, some of that can't hurt... but isn't really needed as the canoe gunwalls will never touch the spoiler if tied down tightly enough.

I know you have seen how poorly people tie down stuff on the roof.... I see kayaks & canoes smashed on the side of the road every month.

cloh09 · Apr 17, 2014

ebg18t said:
I know you have seen how poorly people tie down stuff on the roof.... I see kayaks & canoes smashed on the side of the road every month.

Right. My philosophy on that is tie it down until you think it's secure, then double it.

OP, get those pads and use 'em. Definitely better than scratching/destroying the spoiler. Those pipe insulators aren't a bad idea, either, if it happens to be super close or resting on it. Good luck

marc_l71 · Apr 17, 2014

Academy has those pads and straps for about $40. If you were closer I'd give you my blocks that I don't use.

txclimber · Apr 17, 2014

Hmm. I roll with an old town 14.7 and there is now way it clears the spoiler on the factory rack, pipe insulation or not. Maybe because I have the "humpback" spoiler.

I use a yakima rack connected to my side rails and it works great. Looks cool too.

NuclearN8 · Apr 17, 2014

txclimber said:
Hmm. I roll with an old town 14.7 and there is now way it clears the spoiler on the factory rack, pipe insulation or not. Maybe because I have the "humpback" spoiler.

I use a yakima rack connected to my side rails and it works great. Looks cool too.

the piping insulation on the canoe gunwales does nothing to help the canoe clear the spoiler, those is used to prevent possible spoiler damage just in case one doesn't tie down the canoe tight enough, hit a big bump and the canoe moves and smacks the spoiler. the piping insulation goes on the gunwales above the spoiler, not on the roof rack cross braces (the pads linked above go here to provide the needed clearance)

The canoe will not hit the spoiler with the pads I linked above. I use them and the canoe clears the spoiler. Maybe there's a different between the old town 119 and 147 canoe profile but I doubt substantial enough to make a difference with the pads... There's no way the canoe will clear the spoiler sitting on the stock roof rack.

txclimber · Apr 17, 2014

Ahh, gotcha. My canoe is about 3 feet longer than yours. To be balanced on the rack, it can't be "in front" of the spoiler. It has to go above it, hence the need for the taller rack.

boondoggle · Apr 18, 2014

I know you have the 2006+ with the newer 'humped' spoiler but here's a pic of my 04 with these Yakima Gunwale brackets:

Gunwale Brackets | Yakima

The canoe is a Wenonah Aurora 16'. Not sure how yours would lie. I think you'd be ok though.

Also, a pic of the campsite. Looking forward to summer! Got my spots booked already.

boondoggle · Apr 18, 2014

A cropped closeup.

And another shot of the campsite. Because it makes me happy to look at it.

Sue24u · Oct 16, 2019

Hello! Thank you for the pictures! I have a 2007 and am looking to put a canoe on the rack, just like yours and have ordered the Yakima Cross Bars to get the clearance over the rear spoiler. My Dad is building a wood stripper canoe as we speak and I can't wait to take it out. I had 2 questions, if I may. Are you tying down the front of the canoe with a strap to the frame under the front, between the 2 tow hooks? I was considering installing a bull guard and tying off to that.
The other question, is what lake your campsite is on? I understand if you don't want to give that one out.

I live in Pueblo. We went camping this year up at Ruby Mountain on the Arkansas River. It was beautiful! Thank you for any additional info you can give me.

blackjackck · Oct 17, 2019

Have an 08 SE and I've added Thule Crossbars so it sit about 2-3 inches higher than the Factory crossbars. I've loaded canoes on there and the latest one was an Old Town Tripper, think it was a 17 footer but don't quote me on it. I just tied down on each bar and then tied the painter from the bow under the front bumper and tied the stern painter to the tow hitch.

There's plenty of room. just make sure you're not doing it alone as THAT becomes substantially more difficult. My spoiler was fine as I made sure I didn't slide the canoe on from the rear.

Recommend rope, truckers hitch, and clove hitch and you should be fine. Crank down tight as ropes stretches.

good luck

Bigshankhank · Oct 17, 2019

We’ve strapped our 17’ Big Chief on the stock rack on our ‘08 using those dense foam blocks and they lift it a good bit, should give you the clearance you need. Another cheap option is pool noodles, but beware noodles are made from difference types of foam, some are more spongy, some are more rigid and once they deform they don’t recover their shape, try to get the spongy ones. The spongy ones are also better for doing noodle beer bongs, in case you are throwing an adult pool party or have a fun group of people with you at the campsite.

PWGUNNY · Oct 18, 2019

Simple solution for canoe/kayak loading

Buy a Reese Canoe/Kayak loader from Amazon for about $30. It attaches to your trailer hitch. It has an upright bar attached to a T-Bar that swivels. You simply load one end of boart onto the t-bar. Secure this end to t-bar with bungee cord provided. You then lift the end of boat that is resting on the ground, and walk it to front of roof, while the boat pivots on the t-bar.
This simple, inexpensive solution has allowed me to load my Hobie Kayak by myself. It also provides a third support point for you boat, the other 2 supports being your roof rack.
My Hobie weighs 85lbs and presents no issues for rooftopping.
I use a small trailer when I fish locally, but going out of town, the Hobie goes on the roof.
https://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpow...=1571418688&sprefix=reese+cano,aps,153&sr=8-1

jbssfelix · Oct 18, 2019

Here's my tandem kayak setup (so similar dimensions to a full canoe). OEM rails/crossbars + Yakima Sweet Roll kayak rack.

Definitely clears the spoiler when mounted, but it has scraped a few times when rolling it up onto the feet (we ended up putting down a strip of clear PPF film along the spoiler to help). As for tiedowns, I just use the OEM towhook up front and the hitch in back (not pictured).

Canoe on factory rack of 06 Sport

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