The Best Canoe and Kayak Mods for Your Truck

Top Canoe and 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

VIDEO: 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 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

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