How Do You 5.0 Owners Carry Long Boats?

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by Jack!

We haven't totally tossed this idea with our new 5.0, yet. However we have Wilderness Systems 10 ft kayaks. They behave as longer boats via drop down "Skegs" and carry up to 400lbs.
The theory is using one ladder type rack immediately behind the cab on the bed and one bar on the cab roof, mounting everything more forward.

Also, like the US Rack 5th wheel rack.

https://usrack.com/c-1174377-5th-wheel-truck-rack.html

Have to wait and measure things when we get the 5.O. May resort to inflatables. Will see.

Looking at the photos on that site, not sure how those expensive '5th wheel racks' would be any better than a pair of standard racks mounted on the cab roof.

I've got a nice set of racks I used with my '98 Chevy 1500 passenger van, but they use roof gutters, and the new trucks don't have them. This is progress?

[Steveanson]

There are top and front hitch racks that can transport long kayaks and canoes. This is not a photo or our TV as I use a single roof rack along with a front receiver hitch rack for our kayaks. The photo is simply depicting a canoe with an 'over the hood' transportation method.

[gbaglo]

If you mount a rack on the truck bed and one on the cab, you risk damaging your boats as you traverse rough terrain. The cab can twist in one direction and the bed in the other.

[RBRV]

we carry 17 and 18 foot canoes and kayaks on bed mounted racks towing our E19 but i have to place them further forward than normal. If I had a 5.0 i would do inflatibles or use a front rack mounted to a front receiver or a custom bumper.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

If you mount a rack on the truck bed and one on the cab, you risk damaging your boats as you traverse rough terrain. The cab can twist in one direction and the bed in the other.

Do you really think the twisting effect from being tied down on the truck would be more severe than the twisting that a fully loaded canoe will experience carrying two paddlers in rough water? I have had canoes wrapped around rocks and spring back into shape. I would be willing to risk tying them down to the cab and bed of a truck. (However, I do use a boat trailer for my canoes so this does not seem to be a real issue for me!)

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

I have had canoes wrapped around rocks and spring back into shape.

Cedar strip?
Buddy had his Royalex canoe wrap around a rock. Besides busting the gunnels, the Royalex stretched in places.
Go ahead, if you wish.

[LBaranyai]

My buddy transports his kayaks regularly with his large non-Escape trailer with an overcab rack. While I think the support pole and cables would be a distraction looking through the windshield, he says he’s used to it. I don’t think it’s very attractive but if it’s an important part of your travels, I guess you do what you have to do! I’ve seen fisherman use the same setup mainly because they have a atv in the back of their truck box and need the rack to carry supplies and a small boat.

[LBaranyai]

My buddy transports his kayaks regularly with his large non-Escape trailer with an overcab rack. While I think the support pole and cables would be a distraction looking through the windshield, he says he’s used to it. I don’t think it’s very attractive but if it’s an important part of your travels, I guess you do what you have to do! I’ve seen others use the same setup mainly because they have an ATV in the back of their truck box and need the rack to carry supplies and a small boat.

[Connie and John]

We were whitewater rafters for many years. You can’t carry a raft on a 5.0, so next trick. If you like to flatwater kayak, which we also like to do you can build a kayak that splits in 3 pieces. Chesapeake Lightcraft make a kit where you can build a 13’ kayak that bolts together. You can carry it IN your 5.0. The total weight is 39 lbs. easy to carry and very stable. If you don’t like to build, find a friend. Fun activity. Picture follows.

[HABBERDABBER]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

It appears that Bill Mason's Path of the Paddle series is now available for free streaming at:
https://www.nfb.ca/film/path_of_the_paddle_solo_basic/

Along with 3 others, I was once "winded in" on the point off of Old Woman's Bay, Lake Superior, where Bill Mason capsized in one of his videos. It was not a good place to end up in the drink, or be storm bound. We saw 50 mph winds and water devils.....all part of a warm front moving in, but no storms and clear skies. Memorable place.

[Ian and Sue]

Originally Posted by MrLynn

I was thinking that if I bought a pickup truck I could expand the hens'-teeth universe of used Escapes by including the fifth-wheel 5.0. But we have a 16' canoe that we like to carry on the roof of our tow vehicle (currently a 2013 Ford Expedition). Seems like that might be hard to center on a pickup cab and still avoid the front of the 5.0.

I posed the question over on the FGRV forum, and one respondent suggested a rack that could mount in a front receiver. Certainly should be possible, but I've never seen anyone doing it. How do owners here manage it?

Hi from S VT! I paddle a Placid Boatworks Spitfire. It goes on a rack on the roof of my truck, no clearance issues with the 5.0 TA. It is 12 ft long and will carry me and all my stuff for a multi day trips. It can handle pretty good waves and wind...not like an 18 ft sea kayak but pretty good. It is 18 lbs so easy to get on and off of the truck, easy to get in and out of and it paddles like a kayak. Best boat I have ever owned. There are always compromises...the key is do you use it?! For me the answer is yes! Short paddles in the afternoon check, multi-day paddles in the Adirondacks check. Hey this looks like a neat place to paddle for an hour check!

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by Ian and Sue

Hi from S VT! I paddle a Placid Boatworks Spitfire. It goes on a rack on the roof of my truck, no clearance issues with the 5.0 TA. It is 12 ft long and will carry me and all my stuff for a multi day trips. It can handle pretty good waves and wind...not like an 18 ft sea kayak but pretty good. It is 18 lbs so easy to get on and off of the truck, easy to get in and out of and it paddles like a kayak. Best boat I have ever owned. There are always compromises...the key is do you use it?! For me the answer is yes! Short paddles in the afternoon check, multi-day paddles in the Adirondacks check. Hey this looks like a neat place to paddle for an hour check!

Howdy I&S— We almost always go out together in the canoe, so I don't think a 12-footer would do. I would guess 14 minimum (our canoes are 15 and 16). Neat canoes, though; they do make a tandem, but it is 17'.

Are you an Escape Ambassador? We might like to look at your 5.0 sometime, though we looking for a 21 at this point (no pickup).