[wibadger28]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by NuclearN8

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]

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

[NuclearN8]

Originally Posted by ebg18t

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.

Originally Posted by klas45

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]

Originally Posted by NuclearN8

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]

Originally Posted by ebg18t

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by txclimber

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]

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]

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]

A cropped closeup.

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

[Sue24u]

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]

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