Best is very subjective. When I paddled more, the 3 paddle vehicles I envied the most were a 4 banger Tacoma with a shell, a minivan with gutters, and a diesel excursion (they pulled out the seating and installed bunk beds). Honorable mention went to a mechanic who drove a 74 Ford truck towing a like year Bronco. He could self portage, and always had spare parts to make it home (and used them every major trip it seemed)
Personally, I had 2 full sized trucks with caps, now have one with a a pair of headache racks and a 3rd roof rack for long canoes (all removable, with the roof rack only on when needed). My wife’s minivan is not roof rack friendly. My stepson is going to be driving a Sport Trac that can be towed - abet if we are both awake we really don’t need a self propelled trailer.
Currently I use a Honda Odyssey minivan to transport two canoes (17’, 18’). I’m looking to get a new vehicle and have been looking at some smaller SUVS (like Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Outback) and midsize SUVS (Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot). Has anyone had experience carrying two canoes on the smaller SUVS? I would guess carrying one canoe would work out OK? On a recent trip with 2 canoes, I encountered heavy gusts on the interstate which had the canoes moving around a “bit” - from what I could see out of the windshield. I’m kind of wondering how the smaller SUVs would work in windy conditions with 2 canoes. I would think the midsize SUVS could handle 2 canoes OK.
I do notice there does seem to be an issue on getting a good rack to carry 2 canoes on some of smaller SUVS.
I am new to carrying canoes. Even with the duel headache rack, I was having canoe issues, which led to a third bar for longer canoes. Here are a couple thoughts. 2 front tie downs is steadier than 1. You might be above to lengthen your distance between bars with a trailer hitch mounted extension. A friend used to carry a hang glider, he had a front bumper mounted extension.
Will mention a story for fun. Had a friend get a new (used) land cruiser. He had a shop pull the headliner and install hardpoints (with through roof bolts) to attach his rack to. While he was a ww canoeist, he went on kayak oriented trips. Well us kayakers load the hell out of roof racks, so think we put about 6 on his roof (with a stacker probably) and he started to cinch it down, but it just would not feel right, so he cinched a bit more. Then he realized what he just did to his new car. The kayaks on edge were wedging the bars apart as he tightened. His racks were spreading, and now were at about 30 degree angles bending the roof with them.
So I was going to say you could always install hard-points, but if you do, make sure you either reinforce the roof properly and/or use something to prevent spreading.
Great stuff by everyone…
Experiencing movement is usually a lack of tie-down quality…not the vehicle, however the smaller vehicles one does often have to improvise…to extend the length of tie-down stability, as mentioned by others. The ability to get solid tie-downs helps a lot. Back in the 60s my granddad’s VW Beetle had a gutter-mount rack which was rock solid…held his wood & canvas 18’+ tandem and would often hold a 2nd(weekend social fishing trip with friend) but highway + wind limited our highway speed, but was ok up here on north-central Maine highways. When you have two canoes up top…you simply start a little earlier and take it a little slower. With today’s availability of longer crossbars the width issue, IME is gone. The main issue is ruggedness of the roof bars/footings and the tie-downs. That’s what makes or breaks it…imho.
Even the best tie down vehicle can have a rack failure. Always use safety lines. Nothing quite like seeing 8 boats flying in Mexico at 75mph to make you a believer. Just the right gust of wind and the boats ripped the front bar off. Free of the front bar, they caught excellent air. Luckily none hit oncoming traffic. Knew people who had windows taken out, and another who pretty much totaled the car behind him for because of skipping the safety line
My 2009 Rav4 carries boats easily. Still runs like a new vehicle. Carries plenty of gear and with back seats down, my 6’ height can stretch out and sleep in it. Have done that on many occasions! Have 4 wheel drive and a V6.
I’m not the police but you need a red flag of proper size. Also in many states the over hang is limited by wheelbase of vehicle by a mathematical formula.
You may make others go over the edge if they hit you and get injured. I would not want that on my conscious for lack of a red flag. Even a ticket here would be over 200 bucks I could spend on paddling. But to each their own.
@DrowningDave said:
Thankfully I only have to drive two miles round trip. That’s great gas milage.
It’s a fun car to drive. Today’s trip was to visit family who have a farm within walking distance of Lake Michigan, near Sturgeon Bay. Rained, so no paddling but got loads of pesticide-free sweet corn and other freshly picked veggies plus a dozen eggs… Photo taken at my regular (and closer) launch site on the way home. Resisted temptation as it was late afternoon.
My lps figured out giving a reusable vinyl red flag (with their store info on it) was good advertising. I just leave it tied to my canoes grab handle). That said, my truck has pretty minimal hangover. If I start paddling sea kayak again, I will probably invest in one of those V extensions for my TDI (only get 45mpg with it). The bay is a lot longer drive than the local river, but I still don’t see carrying a 17’ canoe on the V extension.
