We expect to pick up our 16' standard, layout #4 in late July, planning on camping nearby for a couple of nights (Ruttger's, then Itasca), then head east to a Superior National Forest camp ground bordering on the BWCAW. Just wondering what you friends think about putting our 16' canoe on the rack on top of our Toyota Highlander: will there be enough clearance between the rear of the canoe and the front of the Scamp? I'm fairly sure that the trailer tongue is about 3' long, and my hitch arrangements adds close to another foot. If I mount the canoe as far forward on the TV, is it likely to be well clear of the trailer? Does anyone have success with a canoe on top of a (non-truck) tow vehicle? Thanks for your thoughts.
Tue, 03/14/2017 - 14:23
#1
canoe on car and towing a 16' Scamp?
I don't know how long your canoe is but my kayak is 9 1/2 feet and I have carried it on top of my Jeep with my 13 footer in tow. A 16 Scamp has a longer tongue than my 13 footer.
There is about 2 feet between the trailer and the Jeep in the picture because they are not connected. The overhang of the kayak doesn't extend past the ball. It's no where near hanging over the tongue of the trailer. The overhang on the front over the window is not much because I can barely see while driving. I'd say a foot or so.
I just measured my Jeep and it's about 10 feet + from the windshield wipers to the ball.
I've seen canoes ties down to the front bumper of vehicles so that would add additional 3+ feet. So with my Jeep that's about 14 feet from the front bumper to the ball.
Joy A. & Olive
2001 13 Scamp "Puff"
Full-timer
2019 1500 Ram Longhorn
SOI #168
Thanks, Joy. That's helpful. I think it's going to work; I'm also going to bring along a set of foam blocks to lift the canoe up about 4+" on the roof, which may give just a little more clearance. I also always tie the front and rear of the canoe firmly to the car, as well as straps over the top, so I'm not worried about it going anywhere.
Jonathan
Jonathan Rockey
We sometimes pulled our Scamp with our Subaru, and carried the 12'4" kayak, or the 15'6" canoe on it. Never had any problems with either. We had two small loops on either side of the front of the hood that we tied the front to.
John/Dave and Marilyn Haggerty
2005 Scamp 16 standard side dinette
04 Dodge Dakota Quad cab 4.7
17 Dodge Durango 3.6
19 Ford Ranger Supercrew Ecoboost
Wow, thanks, Haggertys. That picture is very convincing. My canoe (well, the one we plan to take Scamping) is 16', not much longer than your kayak; so I think it will work.
thanks again
Jonathan
Jonathan Rockey