Roof Rack and Canoe Carrier Recommendation for a 2000 Toyota Camry

Question:

I have a 2000 Camry 4-door with no existing roof rack. I would like to be able to carry a 95 lb 16foot canoe on the roof. Do you have any recommendations??

asked by: Peter H

Expert Reply:

To carry your canoe on your 2000 Toyota Camry, I strongly recommend installing a roof rack and using a canoe specific carrier on the roof rack.

For a roof rack, I recommend using the Rhino-Rack Vortex crossbar roof rack which consists of the following parts:

Crossbars # RRVA118B-2
2500 Series Legs # RRRLKVA
Custom DK Fit Kit # DK110

This roof rack uses square steel crossbars that are more than capable of supporting your 95 lb canoe and the feet rest just above the doors on the door jamb which provides the most stability and strength for carrying items on your roof. If you simply tried to set your canoe on your roof using pads or cushions, there is a good chance you will end up with a dented roof.

For a canoe carrier, I really like the Malone BigFoot Pro Canoe Carrier, # MPG112MD, because it is a "set it and forget it" type of carrier. Once the gunwale brackets are in place to fit the width of your canoe, you don't have to mess with them again.

Depending on the width of your canoe you may be able to get by using a set of crossbar pads like the Rhino-Rack Crossbar Pad, # RRRWP05. This pad is 33-1/2 inches long and wraps around the crossbar to provide a cushion for your canoe.