So, I'm about to go on a trip and we wanted to bring the canoe. My new car doesn't have the side rails to put cross bars on, but after a little digging, I found out that it has built in holes ready for putting on a roof rack. I don't like paying a ton of money for stuff, so my question is: can I not just bolt a couple of 2x4s to the roof using washers to elevate it over the contours of my roof?
The plan in my head so far is to cut two pieces of wood that are a little over 3' long, and drill a hole through at the right spots, and use the holes on my car to bolt those suckers on.
I'm planning on putting the canoe on, then running ratchet straps through the inside of my car, so the canoe itself is strapped to my roof and not the Red Green ass roof rack. The boards are more for support so the canoe doesn't slip around.
Someone let me know if this is a bad idea.
I'm not too worried about cosmetic damage. I live down two miles of dirt road. I will hear any and all warnings though.
I was hoping that what the "rack" lacks in sturdiness could be made up for with the ratchet strap arrangement
Yep. if its well strapped and has some way to spread the load out so it doesn't dent its not too sketchy in my book. Though making something bolt to the OEM holes is far from the only way to spread the load, it seems like it has the potential to be more sturdy. just be mindful that the holes probably aren't at nice parallel or perpendicular angles to eachother or any other point you might measure to... maybe can compensate with wedge shaped shims or smth idk
Good point!
Truth be told, I'm on the verge of scrapping the whole idea. Looks like the weather might not be great anyway. It's supposed to me fun, not a bunch of headaches. It's been a rough year, and I'm ready for a relaxing time