The Best Canoe and Kayak Racks for Trucks

The RealTruck Elevate rack system is a premium, telescopic bed rack that’s sleek, aerodynamic, and fully adjustable. The Elevate rack system will resist corrosion for life, even when regularly exposed to salty seaside air, thanks to its heavy-duty aluminum construction and protective powder coat finish. 

Telescopic vertical bars allow you to adjust the rack to your desired height, preventing oversized kayaks from abrading and denting your truck’s roof. The rack’s aero-style crossbars accept most gear mounts, making it the ideal choice for canoers and kayakers. Additionally, the Elevate rack is compatible with most inboard-mounting or T-slot-compatible truck bed covers, such as the BAK Revolver X4ts, allowing you to maintain the security of a locking bed cover while safely transporting oars, life vests, and other essential gear. 

Features: 

• Lightweight and robust engineered aluminum construction

• Durable, textured powder coat finish

• Compatible with TruXedo covers or covers with built-in T-slot rails

• Install, adjust, or remove in minutes

• Elevate T-Slot Rails are required for installation on most applications

• Elevate T-Slot Rails NOT required when equipped with a T-slot-accessory-compatible tonneau cover (i.e., RetraxONE® XR, RetraxPRO® XR, and Roll-N-Lock® XT)

• Adjustable, telescoping design locks at 18, 23, or 28 inches

• Integrated T-slot channels accept numerous cargo management accessories sold here

• 750-lbs. static load capacity

• 500-lbs. on-road load capacity

• 250-lbs. off-road load capacity

• Limited lifetime warranty

TracRac TracOne Universal Truck Rack

It’s tough to beat the TracRac TracOne universal truck rack for a budget-friendly base rack. It offers a no-drill design, rugged all-aluminum construction, and aerodynamic crossbars to minimize wind noise at highway speeds. With its stylish aesthetics yet burly 800-pound weight rating, the TracRac TracOne is the perfect setup for work or play. Whether you’re hauling a load of lumber or a couple of kayaks, the TracRac TracOne is up to the task.  

Features: 

• 6063 T-6 aluminum construction

• 800-lb. weight capacity

• Simple no-drill installation

• Available in silver or matte black finishes

• Includes four uprights and two crossbars

• Integrated mounting channels

• Sleek crossbars offer improved aerodynamics

• Wind deflectors help eliminate noise

• Made in the USA

• Limited lifetime warranty

Go Rhino XRS Cross Bars

For the ultimate blend of rugged styling and durability, check out the Go Rhino® XRS cross bar system. This heavy-duty steel crossbar-style bed rack features a simple clamp-on installation, requiring no drilling. The low-profile cross bars offer a sleek aesthetic—however, they sit well below the cab height, which is something to keep in mind when hauling XL kayaks or large canoes. 

The Go Rhino XRS is compatible with most Go Rhino 4-Core accessories, allowing for maximum utility in fastening tools and gear securely. Additionally, the rack’s aero-style crossbars accept most canoe and kayak racks.  

Features:   

• Heavy-duty steel construction

• Textured black powder coat finish

• Easy, no-drill installation

• Compatible with select tonneau covers

• Includes two 4-core cross-rails

• Optional side rail accessory kits available (sold separately)

• Compatible with most Go Rhino 4-Core accessories (sold separately)

• Supports up to 600 lbs.

• Limited 5-year warranty

RealTruck Ascend Rack

Especially if you plan to camp out beside the body of water you just spent the day canoeing or kayaking in, check out the RealTruck Ascend rack. This premium overland-style bed rack features a heavy-duty 14-gauge AISI 1018 steel construction for maximum strength and rigidity, earning it a 500-pound dynamic and 1,000-pound static weight rating. RealTruck’s corrosion-resistant electrocoat base, finished with a durable powder coat, helps prevent the typical rust and corrosion that can occur from excessive moisture exposure. 

This versatile rack system can easily withstand the weight of large kayaks or canoes. When you’re done navigating lakes or rivers, fasten a tent to the roof and camp out beneath the open sky. Or, fasten an awning onto the rack for some much-needed shade after a long day on the water. 

Feature: 

• High-strength, 14-gauge AISI 1018 steel alloy construction with pre-welded fasteners

• Cab-height overlanding rack

• 500 lbs. dynamic | 1,000 lbs. static weight rating

• Corrosion-resistant E-coat base finished with a durable powder coat

• Easily-configurable side accessory panels provide versatile and secure mounting for gear and supplies

• Easy to install in less than 30 minutes

• Limited lifetime warranty

Best Canoe and Kayak Mounts

With your base rack sorted, let’s look at the top kayak and canoe-specific mounts. 

Rhino Rack Kayak and Canoe Carriers

No matter the brand of your rack or crossbar style, Rhino Rack has the canoe/kayak mounting solution for you. From simple canoe-holder pedestals to premium J-cradles (fixed or folding), Rhino Rack offers carriers to suit canoes and kayaks of all shapes and sizes. All holders are manufactured from high-quality, UV-protected materials for long service life—even when exposed to the relentless sun. As a bonus, thick padding protects your valuable investment from scuffs and abrasions. 

Features:  

• Designed to fit almost any roof rack crossbars

• Crossbar-specific fitments available

• Kayak carrier has self-adjusting pedestals

• J-cradle carriers carry kayaks on the side, saving valuable room

• Engineered to fit a wide variety of hull shapes

• Resistant to mold, water, and corrosion

• UV-protected against fading

• Padded cradles help to protect watercraft during transit

Kuat Class 2 Fixed Rooftop Kayak Rack

The Kuat Class 2 fixed rooftop kayak carrier is the ultimate budget-friendly solution for transporting a single kayak. The carrier’s rugged alloy construction and Ballistic Black powder coat finish ensure years of fatigue-free service, while rubber-padded cradles prevent dings and abrasions to your valuable kayak. The simple J-cradle design offers quick loading and unloading, and the included straps/ropes allow you to secure your kayak in place. The Kuat’s universal mounting system is compatible with nearly all crossbars. 

Features:

• Ballistic Black powder coat finish

• 80-lb. weight capacity

• Compatible with factory and aftermarket cross bars

• Secure and stable fixed J-cradle design

• Co-molded rubber for superior boat protection

• Includes rubber-protected cam buckles and bow stern lines

• Limited Lifetime Warranty

Thule Hull-a-Port XTR Kayak Carrier

If you rarely Kayak solo, check out the 2-boat-capable Thule Hull-a-Port XRT kayak carrier. This collapsible, J-cradle-style kayak carrier supports either a single 175-lb. kayak or two small kayaks with a combined weight of 130 lbs. or less. When not in use, the Hull-a-Port XTR folds flat for streamlined aerodynamics or compact storage. 

The Hull-a-Port XTR comes fully assembled and is compatible with Thule’s one-key system lock cores, securing the mount to your rack to prevent theft. With a universal design, the Thule Hull-a-Port XTR mounts to almost any crossbar-style roof rack in minutes. 

Features:

• Holds two kayaks

• Folds flat for storage

• Arrives assembled

• Universal mounting

• Lockable

• Limited lifetime warranty

Yakima DeckHand Premium Rooftop Kayak Saddles

Make loading and unloading kayaks effortless with Yakima DeckHand Premium Rooftop kayak saddles. These felt-padded saddles conform snugly to your kayak’s hull to provide full hull contact for maximum grip and security. Each pair is sold together and includes universal mounting hardware along with tool-free installation, making it compatible with most roof rack systems.

Yakima DeckHand Premium Rooftop kayak saddles can be paired with Yakima’s HandRoll rollers for extra support and protection when loading or unloading, and they carry a limited lifetime warranty.

Features: 

• Felt- padded saddles

• Sold in pairs

• Works in conjunction with the DeckHand or HandRoll Rollers

• Tool- free installation

• Universal mounting hardware

• Yakima SKS lock compatible, but not included

• Limited lifetime warranty

RealTruck Elevate Kayak Carrier

While not new to the accessorizing game, RealTruck has recently expanded its cargo-carrying catalog with the all-new RealTruck Elevate kayak carrier—the latest addition to the Elevate family of racks and carriers. Featuring an intuitive J-cradle design for quick and stable loading, the Elevate kayak carrier helps you get from the driveway to the water quicker and safer than ever. All-weather padding and dual cargo straps ensure maximum security with minimal damage to your vessel’s exterior. 

Installation onto virtually any crossbar system is fast and easy, thanks to the included corrosion-resistant hardware. RealTruck backs each Elevate kayak carrier with the confidence of a limited lifetime warranty. 

Features: 

• Secure, stable J-cradle design

• Thick, all-weather padding and dual cargo straps

• 90 lbs. cargo capacity

• Tested for peak performance

• Compatible with most T-slot and conventional crossbars

• Includes everything necessary for installation

• Durable, rust-resistant finish and corrosion-resistant hardware

• Limited lifetime warranty