How do I make a 2x4 roof rack?

i need more info, do you already own a rack? are you looking to make a 2 canoe carrier? stuff like that.

I did this last year and it worked well for me.

Spring Creek DIY Roof Rack

Truck or car? 1 or 2 canoes.

JB

Take two 2x4's, some dry wall screws and fender washers, lay the 2x4's on the roof top, then go inside the car and drive 3-4 screws with fender washers up through the bottom of the roof and into the 2x4's. Now you have a new permanent roof rack.

That is what we call Possum Grade engineering ;-)

Humdinger.

Will that method work on the convertible top of my Miata?

quote Drab: "Humdinger.

Will that method work on the convertible top of my Miata?"

Remember when everyone used 3 ring binders and had those little reinforcement rings you glued to the paper holes to keep from tearing out the punched holes???

Just make a few of those with duct tape and you are good to go!

Duct tape - the handyman's secret weapon.

2x4s work great , just get yourself a good 1/4" drill, some 3" carriage bolts and washers and tube of Black Jack roofing chaulk and you are good to go

VoyageurNorth,
You reading this one?

What do you use when someone pulls up to your place and wants you to let them drive to the EP with one of your kevlars on a smallish car? Foam blocks and straps? or something more like the Spring Creek DIY wood and suction cups?

quote Craig K: "I did this last year and it worked well for me.

Spring Creek DIY Roof Rack "

Absolutely! I can recommend these 100%. Took maybe an hour and a half or so to put it all together and make sure everything was right, but when I was done, the suction cup rack worked like a charm.

It's already transported two canoes to Atikokan and back for our Q trip last year, as well as to northern Wisconsin, the U.P. of Michigan and several shorter trips in between. A very good product, all for about $100.

I have a jeep liberty that has raised side rails. I want to put one canoe on the roof. I will be traveling from Ohio and need something secure. Thanks for any tips!

Remember when everyone used 3 ring binders and had those little reinforcement rings you glued to the paper holes to keep from tearing out the punched holes???

I thought I was the only one that used those things.

If you have rails, you can make crossbars from 2X4 and U-bolts to attach them to the rails.

I lashed two 1x1 to my roof rails to get my canoe home to Wisconsin from Michigan. I wouldn't want to do that all the time, but it worked. I just stopped every once in awhile to check my knots. Very cheap and quick solution to get it home.

quote wifishncanoe: "


I lashed two 1x1 to my roof rails to get my canoe home to Wisconsin from Michigan. I wouldn't want to do that all the time, but it worked. I just stopped every once in awhile to check my knots. Very cheap and quick solution to get it home."

The outfitter we used did something similar. 2 2x2s, 7 feet long, lashed to the rails with 2 heavy duty zip strips at each connection point. Carried 2 aluminum canoes 30 miles each way. Use wire cutters to remove at the end of the trip. They were like a NASCAR pit crew, couldn't have taken more than a couple minutes to mount roof rack and 2 canoes.

quote wifishncanoe: "


I lashed two 1x1 to my roof rails to get my canoe home to Wisconsin from Michigan. I wouldn't want to do that all the time, but it worked. I just stopped every once in awhile to check my knots. Very cheap and quick solution to get it home."

This is exactly what I did, only with U-bolts, which would make it more secure. Also, you can cushion the gunwales with pipe wrap.

if you zoom in on picture I have pipe wrap to protect gunwales

quote boonie: "If you have rails, you can make crossbars from 2X4 and U-bolts to attach them to the rails. "

Yep - works great for my 2-canoe rack.

Car got T-boned and canoes didn't budge. U-bolts and do NOT forget LOCK nuts!

quote BWPaddler: "

quote boonie: "If you have rails, you can make crossbars from 2X4 and U-bolts to attach them to the rails. "

Yep - works great for my 2-canoe rack.

Car got T-boned and canoes didn't budge. U-bolts and do NOT forget LOCK nuts!"

Of course, and washers too. Looking at wifishncanoe's picture is what made me remember the pipe wrap. We used to just put a piece on the gunwale on each side. If you're only going to carry one canoe, you'll want to cut the 2x4's down so they don't stick out too far. I don't remember if you'll be able to just cut one in half or not.

quote BWPaddler: "

quote boonie: "If you have rails, you can make crossbars from 2X4 and U-bolts to attach them to the rails. "

Yep - works great for my 2-canoe rack.

Car got T-boned and canoes didn't budge. U-bolts and do NOT forget LOCK nuts!"

Isnt there something ironic that the canoe on the side of the car that got T-boned is a "RAM-X"... hmmm

quote Drab: "Humdinger.

Will that method work on the convertible top of my Miata?"

Don't be silly. If you have a Miata convertible, you can just hold on to the canoe while you're driving!!

Email your cell phone number and I will text you some pictures of mine. Built it a couple of years ago and it's still going strong.

If it is a truck you can see the rack I built for my old F-150. I used outdoor carpet to protect the gunnels better as I loaded & unloaded solo.

quote Humdinger: "

quote BWPaddler: "

quote boonie: "If you have rails, you can make crossbars from 2X4 and U-bolts to attach them to the rails. "

Yep - works great for my 2-canoe rack.

Car got T-boned and canoes didn't budge. U-bolts and do NOT forget LOCK nuts!"

Isnt there something ironic that the canoe on the side of the car that got T-boned is a "RAM-X"... hmmm"

Very ironic, ha ha! Woulda been nice if that particular canoe was part of the insurance claim though... drat!!