Ask DS - Roof racks for trucks

[Greenhead329]

Getting a roof rack to haul a soon to be acquired pirogue around from A to B. Pirogue will weigh 65lbs.
I have a 2006 GMC sierra crew cab.
Looking at the Thule foot packs/ bars
Confused as to which model to order. Going directly to their website only listed model is the 754. However when follow the link to thule site from the REI get a recommendation for the 850 model or traverse series.....

I realize a trailer would be a simpler option however right now a trailer is not practical with upcoming travel plans

[teul2]

Man I feel your pain. I went through looking for this kind of set up last season. I ended up figuring with the roof rack, and Outdoorsman bed rack from Yakima I was going to spend close to $500. I'd rather spend that elsewhere.

[Greenhead329]

I hate spending it too..have other places I want to put that money toward.... I'm hoping to get away with a roof rack only.

[teul2]

I had 3 choices for my setup. All involved a roof rack and
1. a trailer hitch rack ($199)
2. Yakima bed rail rack, the outlander rack ($200+)
3. I have a goose neck hitch in my bed that I wanted to make a custom rack for, but again, to have a guy here to weld it in alum to keep weight down was going to be HIGH.

My thing is that I have a cooler and dog kennel in the back of my truck all duck season. So I need to keep the ability to open the tailgate. Choice 1 out.
And then I just couldn't make my self pull the trigger on 2 or 3.

[Greenhead329]

Similar situation, have a 2 hole dog box, tool box, and cooler...with all that I barely have room for a bag of decoys and with that short 5ft bed, not much else is going in it.

Other concern is in December I will be hauling the boat with this system 1800 miles....worrying about the durability of the boat/damage for prolong periods running down the interstate

[dukmisr2005]

What about those half ladder racks that mount on just one side? Might could make that work.

[arkmallard]

Take a look at trac rac, this is what I use during hunting season for my piroque. It is easily removeable during off season and its sliding so you can shorten it up. You can get them at lowes or Home Depot or I can sell you my extra one new in box for $150.00 which is better than the $375.00 at lowes....