My kayak is 12 feet, so itsn't much shorter. I have the CrewCab (so a short bed) with a hard tonneau cover - the LongArm works perfectly for me. The LongArm has slots for a tie-down strap.
Actually, that's exactly the number of tie downs you're supposed to use, and how you're supposed to use them. What makes it look like more is the distance that the rear one travels. There's a single bow and a single stern strap, then there are 2 straps to the kayak itself. If you notice on the front bar, the strap goes under the cross bar on either side, and then gets ratcheted down overtop of the kayak, so the strap ends up crossing the kayak twice. Doing it this way, you can get the straps right up against the kayak, instead of hooking onto the edge of the bars and having a lot more slack in the straps. And if you look at the rear, they're doing the same exact thing, but the distance between the kayak and the "bar" (or in this case a hook attached to the bottom of the bumper (seems real secure to me </sarcasm>)) is a lot longer, giving the appearance of a lot more strapping happening.it's in their product cataloghttps://www.yakima.com/media/catalo...5/e/x/extension_profile_copy_1.1541530348.jpg
big takeaway: they used a lot of tiedowns
The story is that this happened about a year ago. I bought the system that clamped between the door and the roof and the way a subaru is built is it slanted upward. I put the system on, measured, aligned and even drove for 200+ miles and varying speeds before the canoe and system just let go. I found the clamp style roofracks terrible and very difficult to install. Not willing to try it again.
That all sucks man. Thanks for the info though on how it all happened. I will continue to be uneasy in transporting them, but at least I haven't had any additional unease added.
I carried a 12 ft. fishing boat on the top of my shell. I used straps fore and aft and across the middle in addition to the two straps that went across the boat to the carrier. Todays ratchet straps are the best for holding stuff. For reaching up to install get a two step stool. PS tie the ends of the ratchet straps to the attachment point so if the strap comes loose you dont lose it. After driving a while stop and check for tightness kick the tires look for leaks.
Did you hear about the lady that was driving behind a truck? when the truck driver stopped she came up to his window and told him that he was losing his load. They went on down the road and he stopped again and she told him again "you are losing your load all over the road." He was ready this time and he replied "I am putting salt and sand on the road because it is snowing." Oh.
This is the exact reason why I am looking for the tracks that bolt to the roof so I can have a rack that is bolted to the track. The idea of a bar that clamps / grips the little area on the rain gutter door area just seems very inadequate to me, especially when hauling a "sail" on the roof. They may be OK for small loads or luggage. I called Rhino Racks and spoke to a guy and he's not sure if they are going to sell the track for the Ranger because they have to re-write the entire instruction book because it is very difficult....they have to make the instructions "idiot proof". So, I may end up buying something that will work and retro-fitting it.
Nice canoe!Took the good(but dirty) boat out for a paddle on the weekend
I think a system like this is what I'm likely to go with long term. I like your solution for storage. I originally wanted the canoe up top to use the bed for storage but with this solution you are still getting the storage you need.This won’t meet the OP’s requirements, but I’m also struggling to find a solution for transporting my boat. I got the Yakima Outpost in hopes of the bow of my 12.5’ inflatable angling up and over the roof and the stern extending past the tailgate. Turned out the hull wasn’t angled enough to clear the shark fin antenna and was resting on it when strapped to the load bars; no bueno. I tried reverse installing the front support and still, no bueno. I had previously purchased the Erickson Big Bed Extender Jr. for more support while carrying the boat in the bed of the truck. I chopped the extender down to be level with the outpost racks and still didn’t like/trust that system with the boat on the 3 supports. I’ve switched gears and am
now back to carrying the boat in the bed of the truck with (a shorter version of) the bed extender and a red flag hanging off of it. I stole my wife’s Thule cargo box and attached it to the Yakima system to carry all of the boat accessories. In hindsight, I should’ve either gone with the Yakima Overhaul system plus a roof support or just bought a full sized truck from the get-go (joking, i LOVE my Ranger!!).
