Homemade Take Down Canoe/Gear Truck Rack 

My son and I built this for a canoe trip he was going on. Thanks for sharing, it is a great design.

I don't think you talk too much. You explain clearly and concisely exactly what I wanted to know. Brilliant I will use this on my trailer. Thanks.

I don't think I've ever heard anyone fit so many words into a 14-minute video. Whew! I'm exhausted after listening to this. LoL That being said, this is a beautiful application for a canoe rack. Very nice work. Looking forward to building my own now!

I LOVE this. I'm stealing this idea. You could even run a tarp over it and shelter in your truck bed in the woods.

Excellent! I built this rack over the weekend. One tip if you plan to build one, put your tape measure in the tool box. You only need couple of “measurements” and a piece of scrap wood is far better. Cut a piece of scrap to the minimum width of your bed at bed level. For my F250 that was right at the tailgate, correction, cut two the same length. Then use the “jigs” between the verticals and screw the horizontals on. Easypeeze! Same concept with the rails, 2 scraps cut to your preferred height (top of rail about the same as the top of the bed). For mine, I used the same jigs on the top rail, again easypeeze. I used someone else’s suggestion of clamping the rails together and drilling through them at the same time ensuring all of the holes lined up. In July 2022 9 2x4’s came to $50 and a couple bolts I probably already have in my shop!😆

Unless I missed it, no one has mentioned that some of us don’t want to drive around with the racks on our trucks for 90% of the year that the racks are not needed. The metal ones are more permanent. Your setup allows for an easy breakdown. Awesome idea and video!

Ooooooooooooohhhh!!!! I was totally bass ackwards beforehand in how you'd break it down. Great rack & something that I can do & use. One thought: on the tabs, maybe drill a 1-1 1/2" hole on the bottom side of the tab. Gives you something to hook ratchet straps to. Another thought, this one for your braces. Another channel, Cottage Life with "Brojects", they used metal braces. My thought is is that it gives you a little bit more room for walking around. Great job, I'm going to use your design! Thanks!

Awesome rack idea for my pick-up, well done man.

EXCELLENT tpw. I'm picking up a new truck next Tuesday and will be heading directly to Home Depot for the material. Will be adding a plywood tool box to sit on the lower parallel boards.

Was waiting for you to finish with "and Bob's yer uncle". BTW love the idea and am building one now...

You sir are a genius. Thank you!

Great idea... thank you for sharing.... just purchased a couple of kayaks and plan to build this to transport them....

Nice work. Looks simple yet really solid. Thanks for the idea/inspiration.

Thanks! Lots of GREAT Ideas here. I have to do something similar, but preserve the tonneau cover access - this will work!!

Just wanted to let you know that I spent the afternoon making this for my truck. Super easy, super solid and can't thank you enough for the inspiration.

Very nice ! Doing this for sure this summer 👍🏻👍🏻

Wow, super excited to see this video. Its just what I need to haul my Old Town Saranac 14'6

I just bought a 20 f150 and have to agree with the aluminum bed comment. I told the salesman I needed a spray in liner cause I don't trust it. He assured me its stronger than steel, first time climbing in it I knew he was wrong.

Great idea plus you have a spot for your canoe when it's off to truck awesome I'm glad I watched your video I was almost going to pull the trigger on one of those racks

Nice

That is a very nice ute awesome video thank you

Great video, thank you

Great job!

super great idea!

Do u hav a build video I need one lol u did a great job

Thanks for sharing!

I like your design. I have a F150 with the same bed length. Could you list your cut lengths?

Make all four "kickers" exactly the same so it doesn't matter where they go, add some lap cuts for additional stability and wing nuts for speed and ease of setting up and you're golden! Also, cut back on the coffee, that was some kind of a speed speaking record. I'd suffocate trying to speak that fast and long on one breath.

Looks great, I’m planning on building one myself for my Sierra, just wondering how the 2x4’s hold up while on the highway in regards to the weight being fairly high and the wind resistance. The last thing I’d want would be for something to break and there go my canoes haha. No issues?

This is exactly what I want to do. I wasn't sure if it would be sturdy enough. Can you get up to 65-70 mph with your canoe up there?

This is awesome, I want to make it for my ram. How sturdy is it? Forward and back would you want to use two carriage bolts on each post?

absolutely awesome

What size truck bed do you have? My truck is a 5 1/2 foot bed I believe. Would you mind sending the dimensions of each wood piece you used for you canoe rack? I would like to build the same. I appreciate you video and how simple it is.

I have the exact truck and getting a kayak and paddleboard this week, first question mind sharing the measurements? When you strap them do you just wrap around each horizontal piece and run it through the kayak I'm assuming?

Great job!!! I need that so I can put my 1000 ATV in there too with my canoe on top...make that for me number it, take it all a part , and ship it to me and I will pay you for it and the shipping..

A little late to the game but I want to build this. Only question I have is how much higher than the cab did you build this?

Great plan! I plan to build it incorporating half-lap joinery. Our kayaks are 12' long, 36" wide and weigh 100 pounds. Since I will carry my kayak in the bed and my son's on the rack, I am interested in how you secured the uprights to the side of your bed. Although I am not anxious to spend more $$, I am considering using rivet nuts for that purpose. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Love this. Do you happen to have a material list?

Nice. What size bolts did you use 3 1/2 0r 4"

Awesome vid! We are about to buy a canoe and would like to start canoeing around the springs in Florida. I have a 2018 chevy Colorado Z71. Just wondering if you have a plan/cut list or approx how many feet of 2x4 I would need. I know your truck is different than mine, but just a rough estimate or some guidance would be great 👍

Remember you said I hit the tree...not fault of the truck or Ford's build you can always reinforce the side rail with small piece of steel plate,

Those 12 2x4’s are $150 of lumber today. Nice rack though.

Awesome Idea, could you provide the dimentions? I have the exact truck and I will like to build it for my truck! Thank you

Can you give me the measurements for all the pieces, cross pieces, etc?

I built one but it keeps shifting backwards on me, pivoting on the kicker bars. Could you describe how to tie this down to the bed of your truck?

Do you always talk that fast? Just joking with ya, great vid, reasonable alternative to the typical rack.

LOL try buying that lumber today for the same price

How tall or high is your verticals?..thanks bro

I have a better idea just buy a Silverado next time. I knew when ford came out with those aluminum bed trucks it would be a disaster.

Too much talking....how many times...flimsy?

Maybe don't clip trees and you won't have to put your truck down. Pay attention to where you are driving . That's part of being an adult.

Great Idea thanks for sharing