How to Tie Down a Canoe To a Roof Rack

A trip to the lake or river is always better when you can bring your canoe along! Fortunately, loading a canoe on your roof rack is pretty easy once you've done it once or twice.

Below, we'll go over the basics of how to tie down a canoe to a roof rack, so you can safely reach your destination.

Supplies List

Roof rack
Canoe carrier
Tie-down straps (if not included with carrier)
Bow and stern straps (if not included with carrier)

*Note: Consult your vehicle's owner manual to confirm the weight carrying capacity of your roof prior to loading.

Watch Now: Securing a Canoe to a Roof Rack

Step 1: Choose Your Carrier

To carry your canoe on a roof rack, you'll need a carrier designed for this use. Most include the necessary tie-downs as well.

There are multiple styles of carriers available. Foam blocks and crossbar pads are economical options that protect your canoe, roof rack, and vehicle. Sturdier, higher quality Gunwale brackets and saddle-style carriers are also available.

Step 2: Load Your Canoe

Securing your canoe to your roof rack will look a bit different depending on what style carrier you have.

Be careful when loading the canoe onto your roof—you don't want to dent your vehicle! Consider asking a helper for assistance during this step.

Foam Blocks & Crossbar Pads

Saddle Style

Gunwale Brackets

Foam Blocks & Crossbar Pads

Mount the foam pads (some will mount to your canoe first, and others will mount to your crossbars). Load the canoe onto your crossbars. Make sure the foam pads are secure.

Mount the foam pads onto your canoe

Mount the canoe onto your crossbars

Crossbar pads wrap around your crossbars and allow you to safely transport gear on your roof rack without a standard carrier. To install, wrap the pads around your crossbars and secure in place. Some pads will have Velcro closures, while others will have elastic cords.

Mount the pads on the crossbars. If you choose, you can mount the pads toward one side of the crossbars. For instance, if you'll be loading the canoe from the passenger side of the vehicle, you can place the pads closer to the passenger side of the vehicle.

Next, load your canoe onto the pads. You may want to ask a helper for this step—canoes can be quite heavy, and it's possible to dent your vehicle roof when maneuvering the canoe onto it.

Mount the pads on the crossbars

Mount your watercraft onto your crossbar pads

Saddle-Style Carriers

Saddle carriers mount to your crossbars and provide a cushioned cradle for your canoe. They are more adjustable than foam blocks, so they can better conform to your canoe's hull for additional security. These carriers will either clamp onto your crossbars or mount in your T-slot channel at the top of your crossbars.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install the carrier, then load the canoe onto the carrier. Some saddles use rollers or non-grip surfaces (like felt) that allow you to slide your watercraft on and off from the rear for easier loading.

Standard clamp mounts around your crossbar

T-bolt hardware allows for top-channel mount

Mount your carrier as instructed, then mount your canoe

Gunwale Brackets

Gunwale are easy to install and don't require much equipment on top of your crossbars. Gunwale brackets clamp onto your crossbars and provide four padded surfaces on which to rest your canoe. Attach your brackets per the manufacturer's instructions, place the canoe on the bases, then adjust the spacing as needed for a proper fit. Then, tighten the gunwales in place.

Gunwale brackets provide 4 resting points for your canoe

Step 3. Secure Canoe With Tie-Down Straps

Once the canoe is loaded, it's time to strap it in place. You'll need two tie-down straps (often included with the carrier) to secure the canoe to the two crossbars.

Note: Choose a strap based on its safe working load limit (WLL). The weight of the secured cargo must not exceed the combined WLL of the straps being used. For example, if you are using straps with a WLL of 500 lbs each to tie down a 1,000-lb load, you need at least 2 straps to safely secure that load.

To determine the maximum load, or break strength, of the strap, multiply the WLL by 3. The WLL is always one-third (1/3) of the maximum load. It is recommended that you always use straps in pairs.

Thread the tie-down straps beneath one side of your crossbar. Toss the strap over the canoe, and thread it beneath the crossbar's opposite side. Secure using the cam buckles. Do the same on the other crossbar. Secure any excess strap—you don't want it flapping around while you're driving!

Thread strap beneath each side of crossbar

Thread beneath each side of crossbar

Secure with cam buckles

Secure excess strap

Secure excess strap

Step 4: Strap Down the Bow and Stern

In addition to securing the canoe side to side, we also need to secure it back to front to make sure it doesn't slide off the end of the vehicle. For this, we can use bow and stern straps, which are included with many carrier kits.

Thread the strap through the S-hook, tie a secure knot, then run the strap through the attachment point on the front of your canoe. Attach the S-hook to a secure point on your vehicle. Do the same for the rear of the vehicle. Bow and stern straps typically attach to the frame, bumper, hitch, or tow loop.

Run bow/stern strap through the front canoe attachment point

Bow and stern strap connected to front of vehicle

Attach bow/stern strap to secure point on front of vehicle

Bow and stern strap connected to rear of vehicle

Attach bow/stern strap to secure point on rear of vehicle

Example A: S-hook secured to hitch

Example B: S-hook secured to frame

Front of vehicle is secured

Back of vehicle is secured

Roof Watersport Carriers

How to Install a Roof Rack (Hint: It Depends On Your Roof)

Which Roof Rack Fits Your Vehicle? Depends on Your Roof

Written by: Amber S.

Updated on: 6/28/19

Explore Expert Info

on Roof Rack

Videos

for Roof Rack

Help Articles

for Roof Rack

Expert Answers

for Roof Rack

Review of Thule Replacement M8 T-Bolt TracRac Xsporter - 853-5715

Timbren Vehicle Suspension - Front Axle Suspension Enhancement - TDF25004E Review

Aries Automotive Seat Defender Bench Seat Protector Review

Timbren Front Suspension Kit Installation

Hopkins EasyLift Truck Bed Tailgate Lift Assist Review

Timbren Vehicle Suspension - Front Axle Suspension Enhancement - TDF25004B Review

Timbren Front Vehicle Suspension Installation - 2007 Dodge Ram Pickup 2500

Timbren Front Suspension System Installation - 2008 Dodge Ram Pickup

Review of Malone Watersport Carriers - Canoe - MPG112MD

Review of Yakima - Ladder Racks - Y01163

Adco Olefin HD All-Climate + Wind RV Cover Review

Trailer Wiring Harness Installation - 2011 Toyota RAV4

Best Vehicles to Flat Tow Behind an RV

How to Use a Roof Rack (Like a Boss)

How to Tie a Ladder to a Roof Rack

How to Tie Down a Kayak (Without a Roof Rack or Pool Noodles)

Roof Rack Information

How to Install a Roof Rack

My Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit

How to Strap a Bike To a Roof Rack

How to Tie Down Luggage on a Roof Rack

4 Times You'll Regret Buying the Wrong Bike Rack

Best Bike Racks for Families with Kids (2023)

How to Tie Down Skis and Snowboards to a Roof Rack

Will the Thule Roof Rack Roller Work W/ The Thule TracRac?

Since the Thule Roof Rack Roller #TH39PF just mounts into the t-slots on the Thule ProBar you'll have no issues fitting it to your Thule TracRac since they have the same t-slot dimensions.

view full answer...

A great style of bike rack for front hitches is the platform style. This will increase visibility when driving. A great bike rack for this is the Thule T2 Classic 2 Bike Platform Rack #TH9045, its is a great fit with your trailer hitch #65003. Most…

view full answer...

How To Wire A Towed Vehicle When Both Vehicles Have Separate Stop And Turn Signals

The Tow Ready Vehicle To Vehicle Taillight Converter, #118158, you have referenced will not be needed since you will be staying with a 3-wire system (separate stop and tail lights)on both of your vehicles. The converter is only needed if you had a…

view full answer...

Canoe Carrier for a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with Thule Xsporter Crossbars on a Ladder Rack

None of the actual canoe carriers are going to offer enough height to lift the canoe up above the truck roof so I suggest a different approach. You can use the Rhino-Rack T-Load, #RTL002, if your 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 has a 2 inch trailer hitch. The…

view full answer...

Recommendation to Transport Kayak on 2011 Toyota Tundra with BakFlip Tonneau Cover Installed

To transport your kayak on your 2011 Toyota Tundra with a BakFlip Tonneau Cover installed, I actually recommend looking at a load extender like the Rhino-Rack T-Load Load Bar #RTL002 as long as there is a 2 inch trailer hitch receiver on the truck.…

view full answer...

Carrying 150-lb Fishing Kayak on 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab

You have a few different requirements going on at once. Let's take them one at a time. Your Mirage Pro Angler 14 fishing kayak measures 164-inches long x 38-inches wide and does indeed weigh a substantial 150-lbs fully rigged. Most…

view full answer...

We definitely have a roof rack for your 2022 Ford F-250 Crew Cab. We do also have ladder racks that can be used with some tonneau covers if you ever change your mind and want to get one added, but let's back to the matter at hand. I recommend…

view full answer...

Roof Rack and Kayak Carrier Recommendation for 2017 Chevy Colorado

The simplest and best way you'll be able to carry a kayak on the roof of your 2017 Chevy Colorado Crew Cab will be with a roof rack and roof rack kayak carrier. A ladder rack won't fit with the headache rack you have which so with a solid…

view full answer...

Comparing the Different Rhino-Rack Roof Rack Crossbars with T-Load Bar

You have one option for system that works with the Rhino-Rack T-Load Load Assist Bar #RTL002 on your 2017 Ram 2500. Your option is: Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Single Crossbar System #RRVA150B, #RRRLKVAH, #DK043H Compatibility. The regular cab can only…

view full answer...

Carrying a Canoe While Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with a 2015 Ford F-350 Crew Cab

Other than the front mount hitch for your 2015 Ford F-350 such as #65049 you will also need at least a single roof rack bar and a carrier of some kind to hold the canoe. This would be in addition to a support used in the front mount hitch. For a…

view full answer...

Front Tie-Down Anchor Point Solution for 16 Solo Canoe on a 2019 Subaru Outback Wagon

I have the perfect solution for you! The Malone T-Style Hood Loops #MPG308 were designed for vehicles like your 2019 Subaru Outback Wagon where it is difficult to find tie-down points. If you check out the attached photos you can see how another…

view full answer...

Yes, the Rhino Rack Roof Rack system that you reference is a confirmed fit for your 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab. The component parts include: Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - 59 inches long #RRVA150B-2 Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Legs for…

view full answer...