Adjustable ladder rack options for canoe?

[JJMaine]

I'm wondering if anyone has a good suggestion for a decent truck rack that will fit my Ranger so that I can haul my canoe easily this summer?

I want an adjustable rack because most of the non adjustable options will sit way above the cab and I don't want to have my canoe a foot above the cab. I see the Thule Xsporter pro and Yakima overhaul HD look nice but the Thule only comes with 73" crossbars (way too wide) and the Yakima can be had with 60" crossbars (would be perfect) but that is $1300!!! Any other suggestions? Thanks!

My original plan was to use one of the roof crossbars from Thule or Yakima and then just put a goalpost into my hitch receiver when I wanted to load my canoe but Thule and Yakima both say that they don't have an option for the older style Rangers....

 

[sgtsandman]

Get the Thule and cut the bars to the length you want?

 

[Richard Larson]

You should be able to find several local fab or metal shops. Ask them for a quote on a simple rack, or the parts to bolt together yourself. I do restorations and Hotrod/Muscle car builds and make all my own racks, and things. Trailer hitch bed extenders, shop light stands, etc. check with a local body shop also. Hope that helps.

 

[JJMaine]

Get the Thule and cut the bars to the length you want?

It crossed my mind but I wasn't sure if you can remove the end caps and then re install them after cutting them to length? I may just keep my eyes peeled for a used Yakima HD rack. Crazy what these things cost!

Thanks for the suggestion Richard but Im looking for something to just toss on without too maluch hassle but that is a good idea

 

[Blmpkn]

I KNOW there's one in Bangor so idk what your problem could possibly be...


Harbor freight!


I bought their aluminum racks to hold my canoe when I owned my 21.

280$.. best bang/buck ratio you'll find. Even better if you can wait for a 20-25% off coupon.

 

[sgtsandman]

It crossed my mind but I wasn't sure if you can remove the end caps and then re install them after cutting them to length? I may just keep my eyes peeled for a used Yakima HD rack. Crazy what these things cost!

Thanks for the suggestion Richard but Im looking for something to just toss on without too maluch hassle but that is a good idea

They are usually just extruded metal that is cut to length and then capped. So, you should be able to do it. That is what I did for the roof rack bars on my 2011.

 

[Blmpkn]

They are usually just extruded metal that is cut to length and then capped. So, you should be able to do it. That is what I did for the roof rack bars on my 2011.

Yes.. forgot to mention this.

When I had my HF rack I cut the uprights down probably 4" so they wouldn't stick up above the cab a ridiculous amount. Cutting the horizontal bits down wouldn't be any different.

 

[JJMaine]

Wanted adjustable so the bars aren't so high above my cab but that Harbor Freight one looks like I could cut down the side posts to lower it. I'll check that out.

 

[Blmpkn]

Wanted adjustable so the bars aren't so high above my cab but that Harbor Freight one looks like I could cut down the side posts to lower it. I'll check that out.

You'll need a tap if you go the HF route and cut the uprights down. The holes for the bolts that affix the top horizontal bits to the uprights go all the way to the bottom but only the very tops are threaded. I don't remember the thread size/pitch but.. may be able to find that info on the HF website through a downloadable user manual or something.

 

[JJMaine]

Ok thanks I have metric and standard tap and die sets.

 

[JJMaine]

I couldn't help myself lol. I also found an open box but new on eBay for a "better" deal than new. Still way too much money but I figure it's good quality and can go on any truck I buy in the future. At least that's how I'm justifying it.

Also, after I bought this rack. A video popped up on my YouTube feed with a guy "installing a Tkm auto truck rack". It looks exactly like the Yakima rack but only costs $500 lol. I'm sure its made in China and the quality isn't on par but for $500 I'd bet it could handle my canoe this summer.. Anyway, just a heads up for you guys if you need a good looking rack for a decent deal. Their rack even comes with the side bars... The Yakima side bars are $300 alone.

 

[JJMaine]

 

[sgtsandman]

I couldn't help myself lol. I also found an open box but new on eBay for a "better" deal than new. Still way too much money but I figure it's good quality and can go on any truck I buy in the future. At least that's how I'm justifying it.

Also, after I bought this rack. A video popped up on my YouTube feed with a guy "installing a Tkm auto truck rack". It looks exactly like the Yakima rack but only costs $500 lol. I'm sure its made in China and the quality isn't on par but for $500 I'd bet it could handle my canoe this summer.. Anyway, just a heads up for you guys if you need a good looking rack for a decent deal. Their rack even comes with the side bars... The Yakima side bars are $300 alone.View attachment 126876

Good on you. For what it is worth, I wouldn't be surprised if the name brand racks are made in the same plant as the Chinese brands. You are just paying for the name brand on the rack. At least, that seems to be the trend anymore.

 

[JJMaine]

Yeah no doubt and if that's the case the name brand isn't worth 3x as much lol

 

[superj]

i have hte harbor freight silver ones in the picture up farther in the thread. i bought them for my 04 ranger but they are adjustable so they also fit my 24 ranger. but they are so dang tall they look like a pipe rack. its ok for now though since i got them for carrying wood.

the bad thing with racks is sometimes they whistle, depending on the wind direction. i have had thule, yakima, and now the harbor freight and they all did it sometime.