Canoe or no canoe?

[Jis4Jeep]

Yep the newbie with his first posts.

SO I really want a canoe for my trip this weekend and I found a killer deal. Only one my problem .... its 15ft long. I dont think it will work on top of my trailer without sticking out the back 4 feet. So my questions is, would that be too much to stick out the back of the trailer?

OR

Should i put on the roof of Jeep TJ where it hangs over the windshield even with the front grill.

I was really looking for a canoe about 10ft long but like I said I found a great deal I on a very nice canoe. Help convince me please.

 

[trust]

I have done our canoe both ways, I have a cheapo extend a bed for carrying it in the bed of my truck but, except for hoisting it up on top, it's somewhat easier to haul it up top, it's amazing what that overhang out back does in traffic! the main thing is to secure it well, we used an inverted V from the canoe end to each bumper corner and then strapped it down perpendicular too. Of course all the oars and such have to be secured inside the vehicle. when using the bed and extend a bed I just toss it in there and tie it down to keep it from moving fore and aft and side to side. Sorry, no pics of it either way

 

[Jis4Jeep]

I have done our canoe both ways, I have a cheapo extend a bed for carrying it in the bed of my truck but, except for hoisting it up on top, it's somewhat easier to haul it up top, it's amazing what that overhang out back does in traffic! the main thing is to secure it well, we used an inverted V from the canoe end to each bumper corner and then strapped it down perpendicular too. Of course all the oars and such have to be secured inside the vehicle. when using the bed and extend a bed I just toss it in there and tie it down to keep it from moving fore and aft and side to side. Sorry, no pics of it either way

Thanks! a buddy of mine sent me some pics of jeeps and canoes on the roof with racks. I dont have a rack but I could make a light bar first thing in the morning and in the back I have a smittybilt tire carrie that has a 1 3/4 inch square tubing coming up the back that the tire rests on. I think I am going to extend it and weld a T so its level with the light bar pad it and throw the canoe up top. I would love to get it on the trailer but thats not going to happen, might we will see. Thanks for the info I really want the canoe it will add so much to my trip this weekend.

 

[trust]

sounds like a plan, that should work great, I have not carried mine on the Scrambler yet but have a rear hoop so i can if I want to, your plan sounds solid and should serve well

 

[nbleak21]

a 10' canoe? Only reason I could see getting one that small is if you're going fishing in the bayous or tiny canals requiring very tight turn-arounds.

A 14 ft canoe will help with tracking (less side to side turn per paddle, meaning you can go further per stroke, often with less effort) ... and it will be more friend/pet friendly, not to mention have more room for fishing poles, beer coolers, and lifejackets, if you wear them.

 

[nbleak21]

Oh, and It's summertime, wal-mart sells pool noodles for a buck or two. Great for lining your canoe to protect your roof when you don't have a roof rack!

 

[Jis4Jeep]

Oh, and It's summertime, wal-mart sells pool noodles for a buck or two. Great for lining your canoe to protect your roof when you don't have a roof rack!

Thats a great point being pet friendly. The only reason i wanted a 10 footer or 12 footer if theres such thing is so it will sit on top of my Off Road Trailer. Once i get it I am going to see exactly how it will look on the trailer hopefully it will work. But thanks for the great info!

 

[Root Moose]

Don't stress about what a bigger canoe looks like on your Jeep. The benefits of a decent size canoe outweigh the "goofiness". Utility is good. If we cared what it looked like we wouldn't be driving Jeeps.

It may be wise to tie a red flag to the end that sticks out the back to keep the police happy. I don't know the requirements for such in your jurisdiction but consider it a point of politeness to other motorists.

FWIW, I always lash the paddles, life jackets and misc inside of the canoe. That way I don't have to give up storage space in the vehicle.

 

[Jis4Jeep]

Don't stress about what a bigger canoe looks like on your Jeep. The benefits of a decent size canoe outweigh the "goofiness". Utility is good. If we cared what it looked like we wouldn't be driving Jeeps.

It may be wise to tie a red flag to the end that sticks out the back to keep the police happy. I don't know the requirements for such in your jurisdiction but consider it a point of politeness to other motorists.

FWIW, I always lash the paddles, life jackets and misc inside of the canoe. That way I don't have to give up storage space in the vehicle.

Its amazing I was just thinking what I have to use as a flag. As I am typing I just realized that I will be towing My trailer behind it. I just measured 15 again and it really doesn't stick out the back much at all.

I just saw a trailer with the canoe sticking out at least 4 feet. I could weld on 2 racks today and lay the canoe on top pf the trailer. I guess I better get off my tail and get everything together to get the canoe. I cant wait

 

[Black Dog]

I think I'd put the canoe up on top of the TJ because that would be one heck of a happy jeep to wear a canoe hat like that. My XJ and my canoe:

If you are looking for a small canoe, maybe look at the Old Town Pack. Thats the boat I have and I love it, the only problem is it isn't real great on swift water. Its 13 feet long and something like 33 pounds and can hold a surprising amount of gear even for its small size.

 

[Jis4Jeep]

I think I'd put the canoe up on top of the TJ because that would be one heck of a happy jeep to wear a canoe hat like that. My XJ and my canoe:

If you are looking for a small canoe, maybe look at the Old Town Pack. Thats the boat I have and I love it, the only problem is it isn't real great on swift water. Its 13 feet long and something like 33 pounds and can hold a surprising amount of gear even for its small size.

Well let me tell you I dont know much about canoes. My wife grew up in Maine on canoes her entire life so I am depending on her big time. I grew up in florida fishing but small canals from the shore.

Your XJ looks great is there a rack under there or is it sitting right on the roof. I think i see the straps going inside the doors not to sure.

As for the trailer I thought about that, its not very big and with that big 15ft canoe on top it might be like towing a kite instead of a trailer. Thanks!

 

[Root Moose]

Given your setup I'd stick the canoe on the Jeep for certain. The trailer is a little small for a canoe.

With the soft top I'd recommend a removable T-bar on the front bumper and possibly one on the rear. Another good use of receiver hitch mounts in your bumper. You can daisy chain the rear hitch through a T-bar so that you can still use the trailer.

I used to put out 17' canoe on top of the LWB SJ-413. Its roughly the same length as a TJ and it looked good up there IMO.

JAT

 

[Black Dog]

Your XJ looks great is there a rack under there or is it sitting right on the roof. I think i see the straps going inside the doors not to sure.

The dinky little factory roof rack is underneath there, the canoe is light enough that it won't mess anything up. The ratchet straps loop around the rack and the canoe, then the excess 10 feet or so of strap I usually just throw into the back door and the rear hatch just so they aren't flapping around in the wind going down the highway.

This canoe is a really fun little canoe, its only a solo canoe but I've had a dog and little kids in it with me before. With just you in it though it will go in shallower places than a tandem canoe with 2 or 3 people in it. You can actually paddle it with a kayak paddle too if you so choose.

 

[eflatlander]

Canoe

Ive been hauling canoes on a trailer not much longer than yours for 25 years!
No problems at all ( 17' canoes )!
I did run a light from the trailer lights to the end of the canoe for visability.
Good luck and happy canoeing!

 

[Jis4Jeep]

Just got back with the canoe... after all that talk about where to put it and what to do. Its staying just like this plus some padding.