boat/canoe rack

[Tractorat]

I used to carry a canoe on top of my 8' bed pickup camper. However, now I have a QC short bed truck with no camper (I pull a travel trailer) Ive seen these racks similar to racks that construction workers might have to carry pipe or ladders. Has anyone had any experience with these ? Especially carrying a 15 foot or longer canoe with only a 6. 5 foot shortbed truck with the canoe hanging way out over the cab ? BTW, I dont want to have to tie the canoe down in front. It would rub the paint right off the truck (I have a bad enough time as it is with the Dodge paint coming right off if it rains too hard)

 

[Deezul1]

I have carried a 14' aluminuim boat on a standard ladder rack with no trouble on a 8' bed truck but see no reason why a well mounted rack wouldnt work on a short bed. I strapped the boat to the rack with 2 ratchet tie downs and a safety strap in front to the rack in case a hard wind tried to lift it off in front.

 

[BadDNA]

Just got back from a trip with my canoe on my truck with the same body setup as yours, QC-SB. I bought some stuff from Yakima and spent less money on that than I would have on a Track Rack but a plain old ladder rack might be cheaper still. I've got a set of their Q-Towers and a 58" crossbar on the cab and a set of their Outdoorsman towers with a 70" crossbar on the bed, a set of their gunwale brackets, a fairing a a fit kit for the Q-Towers and we were in business, carried the canoe from Cape Cod to Burligton, VT without issue. If you want more info drop me a line.