I just installed my Thule ProBar 200s, bought at Canoecopia 2019, and was wondering if one cam strap in a Figure 8 on each bar would work. Seems fine. Just wonder if anybody has tried that.

Or use four total is probably consensus...

Yep,
I’ve used one strap to secure both canoes on my rack.
Just make sure the wrap around the bar isn’t on any sharp edges.

Also-a tip I learned the hard way - always put a twist in the strap before you cinch it up. I always use to make sure every strap was nice and neat with no twists and always dealt with the whine/noise of the strap vibrating at high speeds.
One time I loaded up at night and was in a hurry. I noticed later that the straps weren’t making much noise and thought something was wrong. So I stopped to check them and noticed twists in the straps. It turns out that the straps make a lot less noise with a single twist in each end/open area. Even after experiencing myself it didn’t make sense so googled it and it’s an aerodynamics thing. Who knew being so neat was bad for my ears. :)

I always use 4 straps to secure my 2 canoes to my older Thule bar I bought at Copia many years ago.

I replaced my Thule straps with heavy duty Piragis webbing tie down straps that have spring loaded padded cam buckles for peace of mind load security and neoprene buckle covers to protect your vehicle.

You really need a separate strap for the front and back of each canoed to keep it secure.

goetzc: "...always put a twist in the strap before you cinch it up."

Yes a twist or two in the strap makes a difference in the noise. It causes turbulence that alleviates the noise. It also helps if you wrap a small diameter (1/8 - 1/4 in.) cord around the cross bars from end to end. Reduces noise with no canoe as well.

I do have one set of the Piragis straps and thought they were long enough to anchor two solos.

I always twist and always have bow and stern lines in addition to the cam straps on the bars.

Thank you!

I just moved and misplaced my usual ropes. When carrying two canoes you cannot have too many ropes, these orange straps worked but have too much stretch.


The big boy is my 18’ prospector, ready for Lake Superior!

I use two straps on each canoe.

I also use hood loops to tie two ropes on the front of each canoe tied to both hood loops to make sure the wind does not make the canoes shift. Nothing more unnerving that the canoes shifting left or right in a wind gust.

I've never done it, though tried once. And never seen anyone else doing it. There's no guarantee it will fail, but there's a good chance it will, and if it does you won't like them flying off YOUR car.

I carry two canoes on my car probably a dozen times a year, for forty years. For river trips with a long shuttle this is necessary unless you want to spend an entire day driving. I’ve driven to the ozarks many times with two canoes. Wabakimi and Manitoba also. You’re not paying attention.

EddyTurn: "I've never done it, though tried once. And never seen anyone else doing it. There's no guarantee it will fail, but there's a good chance it will, and if it does you won't like them flying off YOUR car."

Kind of agree but 2 solos which together way less than a lot of tandems. Just an extra loop under the cross bars. Probably 2 straps each bar, both around both canoes, would be safest. On the other hand have read too often of people just forgetting setting something on a car and its there hours of driving later.

I have done both in the past. Single figure 8 at each bar, will work short term. Problem is the slack that develops versus separate bar ties per canoe.

butthead

I use 2 bungees to hold the canoe to the top of the van and four ropes to keep the canoe straight. Also to keep the canoe on the van in case one of the bungee breaks out the rack comes off the van.
The ropes are two in the front and two in the rear in a upside down v like in jwartman’s picture.
If you use bungees you’ll want to twist them also.