I've been starting to look at some racks to carry a canoe over the truck while towing my camper. Lots of these just clamp on to the sides of the bed. Anyone use them? I'm thinking the plastic on top might crack from cranking down the clamps on them no? The plastic cover seems flimsy.


I've also considered using the stake pockets, but the front ones are covered up on the shortbox so I don't want to cut the plastic. Last option I considered was just building a frame that sits in the bed out of 2x4's and 2x6's. But a rack would be ideal so I can still use the entire bed...


Something like:

Or:



Should I just ensure the top of the foot covers the entire top of the bed rail? Some are just small brackets that seem like they'll only rest on the corner of the plastic...

 

I had a Thule 500XT as shown in your 2nd photo. It's a very solid rack. I would still have it if I hadn't put a deposit on a topper. It mounts on the bed rail with two clamps per foot, for a total of eight. The adjustability is really nice--but I couldn't adjust all the way down because I have the Decked storage system.

I sold it to a guy who was installing a RTT in his Dodge bed. That's a great use of this rack.

 

Was it solid? Did the plastic seem like it was getting crushed or might crack when clamped down?

 

I clamped mine down hard with an Allen wrench. I didn't load it heavily, but I think most, if any, damage would come from clamping force. My plastic bed rails show no marks or damage of any kind from the rack. If I were going to keep a rack on the truck, I would use this one.