Cartop Basics

Cartop Basics

Equipment:

Choose a vehicle suited to the type of use you intend to have. If you intend to use cartop to transport items such as canoes, lumber, furniture consider ease of loading in choice. Some SUVs such as Subaru Outback have built in roof racks, and secure eyebolt fittings built in. Roof height should be considered if you manually carry canoe to load on top. Secondary fasteners such as eyebolts, straps, ropes, will be needed. Choose durable sturdy equipment. Some vehicles such as Prius have roofs that limit amount of load that can be carried. If you decide to add a roof rack, check with roof rack retailer for vehicle suggestions. Consider attachable wheels for some items as they can save a lot of carrying. 

When & Where:

Find a storage space for your intended cargo that allows easy vehicle loading. If you have garage/carport it may be possible to construct overhead cargo storage to ease loading. Rental equipment for roof (or towing) is available for items such as canoes. 

Notes:

Some items such as canoes may become too difficult to load yourself. Finding someone to go with may involve having them help you load and unload.  CRITICAL: Always make certain your load is secure. Always use sturdy fasteners. Extra ties never hurt and only take a few extra minutes. Many street end parks allow cartop boat launches and often have parking. If you fish from a kayak or canoe investigate them as they may allow you to easily explore new areas.