Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

I have a Toyota Tundra Crewmax and want to install racks for the bed area. My primary use will be hauling boats including tandem canoes, creek kayaks and fishing/rec kayaks. I am considering the following choices:

Thule 500XT Xsporter.
Pros: More versatile; rack adjusts height
Con: More expensive; online reviews indicate less durable with some reliability issues with parts; some online reviews state rack wobbles when positioned at fully extended height (note: I have asked a few local owners about the Thule and none have experienced these issues)

TracRac TracONE Truck Rack System
Pros: less expensive; more durable; heavier grade that would be more suitable for additional uses of hauling lumber, ladders and equipment
Con: fixed installation (not adjustable)

Any thoughts on these or other racks would be appreciated. Also, which website or retailer would you recommend to buy the rack from? Thanks in advance.

I had the previous version of the Thule Xsporter on a Toyota Tacoma and i loved it.
BUT i got a crew cab GMC Sierra and the rack would not raise high enough for a 16' Buffalo canoe. The curved ends of the tandem buffalo canoe hit the top of the truck cab. I switched to the straight bars that clamp onto the top of the cab and they work fine for 2 tandem canoes if you get 78" bars.
Just letting you know my experience. The Thule Xsporter is perfect for most boats, but i did run into that issue.

I've had this on my nissan since 2010. It's gone up in price but I'd probably buy it again. The cross bars extend for carrying multiple boats but it's really helpful for solo loading and unloading. Plus if you have the rail system they make clamps for the Tundra and Nissan rails system.

http://store.springcreek.com/Vehicle-Ra ... p1497.html