The Best Canoe and Kayak Racks for Trucks

Top Canoe and Kayak Mods

While canoes and kayaks are a blast, all that adventure comes at a price…literally. Small boats are a serious investment, coming in at prices ranging from $500–$1,000 for simple recreational models and $5,000+ for ocean-going models. With such high price tags, 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, check out our top rack systems.

RealTruck Elevate Rack

The RealTruck 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, even if regularly exposed to salty seaside air, 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 or T-slot-compatible truck bed covers, like the BAK® Revolver X4ts, allowing you to maintain the security of a locking bed cover to safely transport 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 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 lbs. 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 with no drilling required. 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, promoting maximum utility to fasten 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 all-new 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 lbs. dynamic and 1,000 lbs. static weight rating. RealTruck’s corrosion-resistant electrocoat base finished with a durable powder coat helps to prevent the typical rust and corrosion 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 & 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-minded solution to transport 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 snuggly 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

Thule DockGrip Kayak Saddle

Make loading and unloading Kayaks a breeze with Thule DockGrip Kayak Saddles, which are compatible with Thule-branded crossbars, round bars, and factory crossbar rack systems. Featuring multiple pivot points and padded feet, DockGrip Kayak Saddles conform perfectly to all hull shapes, maintaining a secure grip on any vessel.

Each DockGrip Kayak Saddle includes two saddles (four required), one load strap, and one ratcheting rope. 

Features: 

• Compatible with Thule Crossbars, Round Bars, or Factory Rack

• Features multiple pivot points that conform to different hull shapes

• Soft form-fitting design increases stability

• Sold as pair—two pairs required to carry one kayak

• Accommodates kayaks up to 34-in. wide and 75 lbs.

• Includes one load strap with padded buckle

• Includes one ratcheting bow/stern rope

• For Kayak or SUP vessels

• Large cushioned, flexible pads

• Limited lifetime warranty