This isn't complete, just getting started today, will get back at it again later in the week.

I need a canoe rack to transport my FIL's canoe a few hours away when my BIL and I take part in an outdoor race (5k run, 30k bike ride, 10k canoe)

Decided instead of buying a rack that only I could use, I would do what I normally do when I need something... I'd make it.
I will make 2 actual racks, 1 front 1 back, with a simple cable going between the front-back, as opposed to full tubes. I want to use it, then collapse it and store it in the garage, this way they should end up only being about 6" deep side by side. Not to mention I can lend it to others, but since most of my buddies &/or in laws have 5.5' beds or other truck brands, this "should" be able to work on most beds.

So I started with some scrap pieces of laminate to make a template along the lines of what I wanted


transferred that to some graph paper, little more accurate that way


then started making them in steel



I want to use the stack pockets to attach the rack, so I can keep use of the BakFlip G2.

To use the stake pockets I used a piece of 2x1" steel tube, but cut in 1/2 by width, that way they will slip down into the pockets, then they turn and when tightened, lock onto the bed rails. I did have to "tweak" the outter lips in order to catch both sides of the pockets, but they work MINT. Add a nut on either piece and these are good to go.






Starting to put it all together.
use the C clamp pieces, then this piece fills the gap between the top of the bed rails, and the top of the plastic rail covers, where the 3rd piece will go and where the rack uprights will attach.


then this piece goes over the last piece, and this is what the uprights will be attached too.




That's it for now. I will have to measure and order the required tube for the uprights and the cross beams. I'm thinking some 1" square tube for the uprights and cross beams. Round would look nice, may price it out too just to compare.

Check back in later this week, or next for some updates.

Thanks for looking.

 

Any progress on the canoe rack? I have been researching canoe transporting options and my dad is a great welder and fabricator and I think he could easily make a bed rack.

 

I built the rack, but because I didn't make it adjustable, the method of locking it into the stake pockets was difficult to use. The time it took it fight them into position negated any benefit of having the rack. I have since installed stake pocket hooks, so the rack is on the back burner for a while. I will try and grab/add some pics of what I ended up with.

When I did carry the canoe, we just used the foam canoe blocks as you would on a car, with the size of the SCrew cab we didn't end up needing the rack. I may tweak the rack sometime down the road, but we just picked up a tent trailer and want to enjoy some camping with the little ones ASAP.