I like to take a chainsaw whenever I go to the trails. There seems to be blow downs all the time and its always nice to clear the roads.

I don't have a full length roof rack and don't plan on adding one. Does anybody have a suggestion on a way to safely carry a saw on the outside of their vehicle, preferably on the factory roof rack. Any suggestions?

You could fabricate a plate that attaches to each cross rail and has brackets for your saw to mount to. That's probably the cheapest "secure" way to do it.

Check this out.
https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.co...ra-p/21csb.htm

I bought one of these 20v versions for about $100 around black friday. With two 9ah 60v batteries that I already have for my cordless tools - it's amazing how much the little saw will cut. I'm probably going to sell my little stihl ms170 that was my camp saw. If you're cutting all day - the gas saw is by far the better choice. If you need to clear a log or two - the cordless saws are the answer. No mess (It does use chain oil). No noise. No smell. No hassle with starting. And while they're kinda $ if you don't already have batteries, they're cheaper than most gas saws by the time you add a gas can, a case, roof rack to store it outside the car. And it weighs next to nothing.

Lots and lots of this

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It's not what you asked,
but I carry mine inside the 4runner for a lot of trips. I use the husqvarna powerbox,
and it fits extra fuel, bar oil, ear protection, gloves, files, scrench, and a small axe.

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Get a Thule or similar car top carrier. When I know I'm in the woods a lot, I just leave it on for a few months. Put saws, come-a-long, shovels, fuel, etc and it all stays high and dry, locks up tight so I don't always have to load that stuff, it's always ready to go. Sure it doesn't look as cool as having a hi-lift strapped to your roof but very functional IMO.

Lots of great suggestions, thanks guys.

Tx4R18....that pic is breaking me up man!

Google snowmobile chainsaw carrier. Lots of good options.

Just make sure it's not an assault chainsaw, they say those are very dangerous

Assault and pepper chainsaws OTOH are very handy at dinner.

Cut off your hand, attach chainsaw.

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Why would you want it on the outside? It will snag on things, get stolen, and if cold, will never start.

For years I have rolled w/ an 18" Stihl that easily disassembles & fits in a small, smell tight Rubbermaid box. Just put xtra fuel & oil in Ziploc's...

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I bought one of the battery powered Sthils.
Works great, I just strap it down in the back.

Occasionally I transport my chain saw up to a friend's cabin for tree trimming and clearing work. I have a 24" Stihl that I bought the carry box for. I keep the saw inside the truck. I carry a one gallon gas jug, a pre-mix jug for mixing fuel and the various oils on top in a crate that I tie down. I don't want gas cans or oils inside the vehicle.

I have a Baja Rack flat utility rack that I tie things down to. The main problem with the Toyota roof rack is that anything you tie down on top sits directly on the roof paint. As things move around on rough roads the top gets scratched. There are ways to work around that, like putting stuff on boards that span between roof rack rails or putting pads down below boxes and hard stuff. Cardboard makes a decent pad, but it's not going to last if it rains.

Generally, you should be running your chain saw dry between uses because old gas in the carburetor is not good for these two stroke engines. If you do, the saw will not be full of fuel when it's inside your car. I dump my unused saw fuel back into a pre-mixed fuel can and then run it for a minute to empty the carburetor.