1996 Geo Tracker Soft Top & Canoe

Sp00ky13 · 07-30-2008, 12:49 AM

Hi!!
I have a 1996 Geo Tracker soft top and have been 'googleing' for an answer with no luck. Is it safe to strap a 14' fiberglass canoe across the "rollbar" and secure it with crank straps to the front and back of the vehicle (with either the soft top up or down) to travel on mostly backroads, no highway. I was planning on using the foam blocks to put under the canoe. I am open to any other suggestions as I have looked several times and can't find a safer/better way, besides a trailer, to carry a canoe on a Tracker. I am just wondering if anyone out there has just strapped a canoe on and everything went fine. I am open to suggestions, if anyone has any. I do not want to buckle the roll bar area of the Tracker. It is in good shape with less then 83,000 miles on it. I am looking for the best way to bring a canoe along for the ride. Any suggestions appreciated!! THX =)

deardsy · 07-30-2008, 07:55 AM

Either get a rack made, or make it yourself if you're keen, to suit the canoe, or get a trailer. Not the greatest idea strapping it straight to the car in my opinion

eXpReSs · 07-30-2008, 12:15 PM

It's an extremely poor idea to put any carrier on top of the convertible from what I was told by the Chev dealer. A customer had a small Thule box attached to a 97 Tracker. The wind resistance was enough at 70mph to spring the windshield frame and pop the glass. U-haul and a few others have hitches to fit. U-haul's class 1, 2000lb runs about $120 USD. Bolt on solution. They will install it for about $100. I've always had great luck with U-haul products on vehicles not already equipped with a hitch.

Canoe trailers weigh from 200-400lbs with the extra long tow arm. I dated a gal back in the 90's that use to tow her kayak with a Morris Mini Minor. It worked out real good but was a double take sight to see. I think my wife may have tossed the pic I had.

-Lawless · 07-30-2008, 01:19 PM

Funny this should come up. I am trying to do the same.

So far I have received a rear rack from a friend that goes to a Jeep but will fit just fine. It looks very similar to this one.
Garvin Industries

Once fitted, I plan on fitting an extension to it so it is a bit taller than the soft top.
I also plan on building a front bumper mounted "T" frame to support the front of the canoe. I may be doing this over the next few days. I'll try to post up some pics as I do it.

Rhinoman · 07-30-2008, 03:43 PM

In the UK they used to sell roof bars and a rack for the soft top models, I have thebars fitted on mine with a Steel Horse cage. There is no manufacturers name but they are marked 'Made in US'. The fitting points are already on the Zuk. It will be the weight that will be the issue. The Zuk bars are only rated at 100lbs, probbaly because the top bars join to the rear uprights with only a single 6mm bolt on each side. I think the Calmini safari rack is rated at 200lbs.

Sp00ky13 · 07-30-2008, 08:35 PM

Thank you all so for for your quick responses. I am trying to come up with a fast solution since I leave for my canoe trip Aug 9th. We were going to rent a canoe when we got there like we did in the past but I picked up a great canoe for $200 and was hoping to use it. I will keep checking back here. I am glad to have found this forum. (If anyone has those bars Rhinoman mentioned used that they want to part with for a resonable price (plus shipping) I would buy them.) I will look into all the options you all mentioned as well. Thanks again!!

Longbow53 · 08-05-2008, 11:11 AM

Its a hassle, but mount A trailer hitch to front bumper . You can then slide in an adjustable "T" Bar front and rear on Sidekick to hold main weight of canoe. Foam pads on rollbar and tiedowns and your good to go. Pete in Montana

GoGeoGo · 08-05-2008, 11:16 AM

rhino man, i love your rig.

Sp00ky13 · 08-07-2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longbow53

Its a hassle, but mount A trailer hitch to front bumper . You can then slide in an adjustable "T" Bar front and rear on Sidekick to hold main weight of canoe. Foam pads on rollbar and tiedowns and your good to go. Pete in Montana

Thanks for your reply. I think I am going with having a trailer hitch installed so i can use an adjustable T-Bar after the research I did and all your help. Any reason the front might be better instead of the rear? I was going to have it installed in the rear. No rush now for me, as our Saco River trip got cancelled due to extreme river conditions =( but we are still going somewhere this week, hopefully, canoe in tow!! (a friend can throw it on his roof rack this week but I would like to be able to use my newish canoe whenever I would like!!) What a sucky weather pattern we have had here in New England this summer!! It feels like summer hasn't even been here at all. Anyway... Thx all for all your help!!

Longbow53 · 08-07-2008, 10:35 AM

Spook, The idea of the "T" bar in both A front AND rear hitch is that it is supporting the canoe's full weight. Straps over canoe and T bar front/rear and A center strap maybe just behind roll bar will keep it safe. A flying canoe at 60 MPH could be deadly to traffic. I finally gave up on canoes after 6 of them and went to Kayaks, easier to load . I will be working on A double Kayak rack for the Sidekick I just picked up. My goal right now is mounting a double sidekick T-case with the Auto. This should be A sweet package when i'm done. Pete in Montana