The Best Canoe & Kayak Mods for Your Truck

Updated on Aug 10, 2023

Written by Brendan Soriano
Edited by Frank Bisciotti

Nothing beats exploring the sprawling waters this beautiful country has to offer, besides hitting some trails on your way to the dock! Luckily, you don’t have to pick one or the other; this season, load up your kayak or canoe and hit your favorite lakes and rivers! 

In need of a capable rack and mounting system? We’ve got you covered! At RealTruck, we aren’t just about trucks but the lives our customers get to lead because of them! For this reason, we carry all the top truck racks, canoe carriers, and kayak mounts to aid in your adventures. Unsure of where to start? Check out our expert-curated list to make loading, transporting, and unloading your canoes, kayaks, and associated gear a breeze! 


Top Canoe & Kayak Mods

While canoes and kayaks are a blast, all that adventure comes at a cost…literally! At prices ranging from $500–$1,000 for simple recreational models and $5,000+ for ocean-going models, small boats are a serious investment; the last thing you’ll want is to watch a thousand-dollar vessel slip off your truck and skid across the freeway! Instead, protect your investment with the proper racks and carriers to ensure safe and stress-free transportation.

Best Base Racks for Trucks

Before getting into our top canoe and kayak mounts, you’ll need the proper base rack system to build on. If you already own a bed rack or roof rack system with crossbars, skip ahead; if not, read on!

Elevate Rack System

The Elevate Rack System is a premium, telescopic bed rack that’s sleek, aerodynamic, and fully adjustable! The Elevate Rack System will fight off corrosion for life, featuring heavy-duty aluminum construction with a 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 canoe and kayak mounts, making it the ideal choice for canoers and kayakers! Additionally, the Elevate Rack System is compatible with most inboard-mounting tonneau covers, allowing you to maintain the security of a locking bed lover to safely transport oars, life vests, and other essential gear. 

Features: 

  • Rustproof aluminum construction with powder coat finish

  • Compatible with select tonneau covers that mount inside your bed rails (refer to the compatibility chart)

  • Elevate T-Slot Rails required for installation on most trucks

  • Elevate T-Slot Rails are not required if the rack is installed with a tonneau cover that has T-slots (e.g. RetraxONE XR and RetraxPRO XR)

  • Telescoping design is adjustable and can be set at 18–28" 

  • Includes four tie-downs with purchase of T-Slot Rails

  • Perfect for kayaks, canoes, bikes, cargo baskets, rooftop tents, and more

  • Integrated T-Slot channels accept numerous cargo management accessories

  • 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, offering a no-drill design, rugged all-aluminum construction, and aerodynamic crossbars to minimize wind noise at highway speeds, all at a triple-digit price point! The TracRac TracOne is the perfect setup for work or play with its stylish aesthetics yet burly 800-lb. weight rating. Whether you’re hauling a load of lumber or a couple of kayaks, the TracRac TracOne is up to the task.  

Features: 

  • Constructed from 6063 T-6 aluminum

  • 800 lb. weight capacity

  • No-drill installation

  • Available in silver or matte black finishes

  • Sold with 4 uprights and 2 crossbars

  • Integrated mounting channels

  • Sleek crossbars for improved aerodynamics

  • Wind deflectors help eliminate noise

  • Limited lifetime warranty

  • Made in the USA

Check out this video on how to install the TracRac TracOne Truck Rack:

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; no drilling is required! The low-profile cross bars offer a sleek aesthetic; however, they sit well below the cab height–something to keep in mind with XL kayaks of large canoes. The Go Rhino XRS is compatible with most Go Rhino 4-Core accessories, allowing you to securely fasten tools and gear for maximum utility. Additionally, the rack’s aero-style crossbars easily fit 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

Best Canoe & Kayak Mounts

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


 

Rhino Rack Kayak & 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

ProRac Kayak Carrier

The ProRac Kayak Carrier is the ultimate budget-minded solution to transport a single kayak. The carrier’s rugged alloy construction ensures years of fatigue-free service while padded cradles prevent dings and abrasions to your valuable kayak. The simple, J-Cradle design offers simple loading and unloading, and the included straps/ropes allow you to snuggly secure your kayak in place. The ProRac’s universal mourning system is compatible with nearly all crossbars. 

Features:

  • Soft, adjustable cradles

  • Accommodates canoes, kayaks, and windsurfing boards

  • Fully-adjustable

  • Includes two straps and ropes

  • Universal mount system fits most crossbars

  • USA-made

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

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