• If you currently own, previously owned or want to own an Avalanche, we welcome you to become a member today. Membership is FREE, register now!

Cab-High Bed Racks

SciX

SciX

SM 2004
Full Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2003
Messages
270
Location
Oceanside, CA
I'm interested in getting a cab-high bed rack extender, in order to put my 18' canoe on top. Presently, the canoe roof rack accessory indicates a 16' limit.

Has anyone seen anything like this? I've searched but haven't seen anything. I thought I saw a homemade one here somewhere awhile back but couldn't find it.
 
There are Hitch mounted helper hands for that kind of load, but I haven't seen anything like that in a bed rack. The hitch mounted kind slides into the trailer hitch and has one bar coming straight up behind the tailgate that T's into the resting spot for the canoe at cab height.
 
There are a few people who have made thier own racks that clamp onto the rear panels to carry ladders, kayaks or canoes. I built one out of wood and use 1 yakama cross bar, 2 q-towers and 2 q30 clips to clamp it to the rear panels. BlueAVGuy has made a real nice one out our welded aluminum tubing. If you do a search for kayak you will be able to find blueAVguy's pictures.

Unfortunately I have not been able to locate the posting that I did with pictures of my wooden rack.

GRF
 
If any one is intrested I can build the rack for probably less than $200 I will have to go price the aluminum (Mine was built from scrap from a project I did last year) I think shipping would be a killer But let me know If your intrested.
 
There's an oufitter called Nestor's in Quakertown, PA - I saw a posting in their store for custom extenders made for them by a local firm.
SunnyD
 
Yakima and Thule make rack systems that attach to a trailer hitch and elevate a canoe to the level of the cab.
Yakima has one for about $200 (on their site). Check out http://yakima.com/racks/kayak-rack/product/8002589/drydock.aspx. Thule makes one they call a "GoalPost" that orsracksdirect has on sale for $159. http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-997.html

I know nothing about either design. If anyone has any experience with either the Yakima DryDock or the Thule GoalPost, let me know. We want to buy this kind of rack to tote our 18" canoe on our Avalanche.

 
I had a local shop build a rack to my design from stainless steel.  Pricey, but very solid.

I wanted to maintain access to the bed and to the top boxes.

The rack bolts into where the grab handles go.  The key is that as it goes up from there, it quickly curves into towards the center of the truck to allow room for the top box lids to open.  Then it turns straight up to the crossbar that is at roof rack height.

Here are pics of it in action:


Scouts loading a canoe:

322965624_QQDBN-M.jpg


Rear view:

323078640_YYUeh-M.jpg


Sort of close-up:

323078962_PZirP-M.jpg


Visit http://acuff.smugmug.com/gallery/5295734_DCwbV/1/323078962_PZirP so see full-size pictures.

If there's interest, I could give more details and pictures.

-- Rich
 
Hi Vic,

I'm having the same issue.  I have a question though above you mentioned that the current canoe roof rack accessory indicates a 16' limit.  Is there something other than the corssbars that can  be mounted to the truck?  I have been looking all over for this spec and can not find it.  In my owners manuel it only talks about weight max 200lbs.

Thanks
Kevin

 
Kevin-

The 16' limit was not my post. 

I like the idea shown in the picture above, but I'm working on something a little different myself so I can mount an EIDE boat loader on the AV.  It is still a work in progress, and will probably take me quite a while to complete. 

My plan is to use four "mighty mounts" on the roof rack side rails with a 2" x 1" x .125" aluminum "C" channel mounted across (These will mainly be for stability, not expected to support much load).  In the back I plan to build a steel support that also mounts to the grip handle locations (sort of similar to the one shown above).  I also plan to use the two bolt locations at the aft mount of the roof racks, and one bolt location on the rollbar to mount a lug, where I'll mount a horizontal bar to the aft support, and across to the other side.  I'm still working out all the details, and it will not be cheap since I'm not a welder....  I'm currently working on modeling it in CATIA V5.

Vic
 
Vic,

Sorry for the confusion.
Scix,  Would you be able to tell me where you found the 16? capacity?

I'm also trying to dream up a removable idea.  When I finally make some head way I will be sure to post it.

This is what I?m thinking of:  There are still a lot of details to iron out though:

Removable extension that is attached to the rear section of the Txavy Bed Rack that have diagonal supports that attach to the front portion of the rack. 

The Cabelas item (canoe loader and rack, Item: IK-017442 ) could be modified to be used as the upright.  It could sit into a 3? piece of rectangular tubing and attached with a nut and bolt or cotter pin.  The diagonal supports could be attached to the upright and mount to the front bar using a nut and bolt or cotter pin.  The diagonal cross bars would also be able to fold in when not in use. 

Next week I'm going to try and make some sketches.

Kevin
 
I want to keep the hitch free, so I can pull my trailer at the same time.  TXAvy told me he had plans for a ladder rack, but never enough intrest to build one.  Here is a message that I recieved from him.

"I never had enough interest in the ladder rack to produce it, so no pictures. But I'll sell you the plans to build it yourself for $39. It builds on top of my regular bed rack and holds a ladder at the same height as the factory roof rack by elevating an extra pair of crossbars above the existing ones. It would be best if you had the roof rack too, but it's not absolutely required. It's built with parts you can get at Home Depot and folds down flat on top of the bed rack when not in use.

The 2 spare crossbars are $45 each, and the bed rack is $349 now because steel prices have gone up so much. So it would be $478 for the rack, 2 extra crossbars, and the ladder rack plans. Let me know if you have any other questions. Like I said, I don't have any pictures, but I could maybe make a sketch for you.

Aaron..."

I don't think this ladder rack option would be strong enough for my needs, but may work for yours.

Vic
 
@ Racuff

I am interested in the one that you have.  It is almost exactly like what I have sketched up.  Could you send some pics of the actual mounting assembly?  I sent you a PM with addy.  Also how sturdy is it does it have any flop to it?  I know that once everything is tied down nothing will move but I had concerns, which is why I haven't started the build, that is may need to be tied forward to the roof rack

Thanks
 
Anybody have any measurements of the rack that RACUFF had built for a canoe rack?  I really want to get one built before canoe season hits full force.
 
@Dammfast - Looks like Racuff hasn't been on the site since July.  You might try sending that person an email or check the linked website.
 
Yeah

I have sent pm's and all of that I actually was hoping that somebody would have the measurements.  I am pretty sure I can make it without the measurements but it would be easier if I had them.
 
QIK-CHG said:
I want to keep the hitch free, so I can pull my trailer at the same time.
Click to expand...

On my set-up, the trailer hitch mounted swivel rack attaches to the tongue (under the ball) so I have the trailer hitch/ball available for towing as well as carrying the canoe on the roof.

From a site carrying a similar rack -

Included adapter bracket allows you to use your hitch to tow a trailer while carrying a canoe at the same time.
- Fits any size or class trailer hitch receiver.
Click to expand...


Some pics of my set-up here:

http://chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,23172.msg498161.html#msg498161
 
I'm sorry to be so long getting back to this.  Life kind of got in the way!  Here is a thread with more details about the rack I made to carry long items (canoes, ladders, lumber, etc.) in conjunction with the roof rack.

http://chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php/topic,129011.0.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top