Roof rack

[JOHNFAK]

Never installed one. How hard ? What's involved and any cheapish but good recommendations ? Thx

[anoldbiker]

only had 1 roof rack in my life and that was on a vehicle my wife had when we married. It was a dealer install when brand new and leaked and loose. After a few years of trying all kind of sealants and lock-tite and such, we sold it and never had one since. my recommendation is figure a way to do without. that's why i have a trailer for each truck here.

[flagmanruss]

I don't recommend a roof rack that puts weight on the roof... I was trying to push snow off & felt it give... it would be easy to oil can the roof & not easy to fix. If you need a rack, it needs to transfer the weight to the bed.

[JOHNFAK]

only had 1 roof rack in my life and that was on a vehicle my wife had when we married. It was a dealer install when brand new and leaked and loose. After a few years of trying all kind of sealants and lock-tite and such, we sold it and never had one since. my recommendation is figure a way to do without. that's why i have a trailer for each truck here.

Thx guys Worked out I can put it in my truck bed for now. Later might go with a self installable bed racj - but its like $600. Its for my new toy - Tarpon 140 Kayak

[JOHNFAK]

1st pics

[Haggar]

I agree with the guys, Don't install a roof rack. (the factory ones on the suburbans work great and don't leak, but I have heard the guys that installed them off of other trucks and NEVER eliminating all the leaks....)What I am thinking of doing, to carry my canoes is to build a "headache rack". (you can also buy these) This will fit in the front "stake holes". If the angle looks wrong (catches air etc), will build a rear rack to bring the canoe up. (for both front and rear, search for "ladder racks".)GL HTHHag

[flagmanruss]

The front stake holes are several inches back. The foot of the headache rack will need to extend to it.

[JOHNFAK]

Not going to use the stake holes as I have rail cappings on that I like too much to part with Going to stick with having it strapped to bed for now thx guys

[Haggar]

John,You might want to take advantage of the two lower hooks then. I don't see why you could not build a rack that "hangs" (not really hanging, but getting longitudinal support) on the front of the bed between the cab, and tension it by using J-hooks to connect to the front hook places in the bed.You are not carrying weight, you just need to keep from scratching the roof.Hag

[MNorby]

How about these to hold canoe on truck roof http://www.amazon.com/Malone-Standard-Block-Universal-Carrier/dp/B000SXN90C then make or buy one of these for your hitch http://www.amazon.com/Thule-997-Hitch-Adapter-Carriers/dp/B0001HACGE/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1348197397&sr=1-2&keywords=canoe+receiver+hitch

[JOHNFAK]

Those look good but just going to stick with it in my bed for now - if it gets too scratched up then that looks ok thanks