Canoe on top

[Dray]

I would like to hear from people who bring kayaks, canoes, rafts or maybe even small aluminum boats with them.  I want to get a small boat and have gone back and forth about what to get.  I think I'm gonna get a canoe and mount a small trolling motor to it.  I like the Mad River 14 foot canoe at AREI.  I think it will fit nicely in between the bike racks on the roof of my PU.  How much weight should I be putting on the roof of my PU when it's down (in travel mode).  

Does anyone have some tips for putting a boat on your PU?  How about putting it on your TV?  Seems it would be better suited on the PU than TV.  Let me know what you do.  All tips are welcome, such as how to get the boat to the water once you're at the CG.  

Thanks

[wavery]

I would like to hear from people who bring kayaks, canoes, rafts or maybe even small aluminum boats with them.  I want to get a small boat and have gone back and forth about what to get.  I think I'm gonna get a canoe and mount a small trolling motor to it.  I like the Mad River 14 foot canoe at AREI.  I think it will fit nicely in between the bike racks on the roof of my PU.  How much weight should I be putting on the roof of my PU when it's down (in travel mode).  

Does anyone have some tips for putting a boat on your PU?  How about putting it on your TV?  Seems it would be better suited on the PU than TV.  Let me know what you do.  All tips are welcome, such as how to get the boat to the water once you're at the CG.  

Thanks

My understanding is that the max roof weight is about 300# on most PUs. Yours may be different. Check with Fleetwood to be sure.

We carry our 15' Kayak on the roof of our PU (with AC). We put 3" foam rubber pads under both ends of the kayak to keep it from touching and denting the roof. So far, so good.

[A2SuperCrew]

We carry three kayaks on the roof of our TV using a Yakima setup.  Here is a pic of the entire rig on our way home from camping in the upper penninsula of Michigan last year.  This was taken on Route 2 along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

PICTURE

Two 10 foot boats, and one 14 foot tandam.  That way we don't have to unload them util we're ready to go to the water.  Once camped, we also have the option of just tossing then in the bed to get to the water.

The roof-top boats do create a lot of wind drag.  I really feel them in strong cross winds.  They are secure up there though, and can also be locked to the rack.

[Dray]

Two 10 foot boats, and one 14 foot tandam.  That way we don't have to unload them util we're ready to go to the water.  Once camped, we also have the option of just tossing then in the bed to get to the water.

The roof-top boats do create a lot of wind drag.  I really feel them in strong cross winds.  They are secure up there though, and can also be locked to the rack.

You hit on something I was wondering about.  I like the idea that you can just leave your kayaks on top of the TV when at the CG and later drive them to water.  This minimizes having to lug a boat around the CG.

[A2SuperCrew]

You hit on something I was wondering about.  I like the idea that you can just leave your kayaks on top of the TV when at the CG and later drive them to water.  This minimizes having to lug a boat around the CG.

It has worked out nicely, especially when the paddling is a good distance from camp.  We just leave the boats racked unless we're paddling.  They are more secure that way too.  I don't mind driving around with them up there.

[Dray]

It has worked out nicely, especially when the paddling is a good distance from camp.  We just leave the boats racked unless we're paddling.  They are more secure that way too.  I don't mind driving around with them up there.

What kind of rack do you use?  And you say it locks?

[wernstriumph]

We just traveled across country with a 17' canoe on top of the PUP. It fit right over our AC unit. I used foam blocks on the gunwales and did not have a problem with scrathing or denting. As far as side wind resistance, you are going to get it if it's on the TV or on the PUP but front to back wind resistance was less for us with the canoe on the PUP than on the TV. When we got to our campsite, we just unhooked and went siteseeing, then came back and set up the camper. It worked well for us, but depending on your setup you may find otherwise. Maybe take a short drive with the canoe ontop of the TV and a drive with the canoe ontop of the PUP and see which works better for you.

[CajunCamper]

I have two kayaks that we take with us when camping. I prefer securing my kayaks to the top of my TV rather than the pop up. My TV is a lot more durable than my pop up so I do all I can to reduce the risk of damage or stress to the pop up. I know my TV can handle it.

Good Luck

CajunCamper

[srds]

We carry 2 yaks and no problems so far .Our 95 coleman already had rack when we bought it.Tag says 385 lbs. limit.We always add extra padding@bunggie cords.