How Do I Make a Homemade Canoe Rack for a Utility Trailer?

canoe on beach image by Joo Hwee Goh from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Transport your canoe more easily and faster by building a canoe rack on a utility trailer. This allows you to make a separate compartment for your boat that you can just carry along for all your water adventures. With just a few tools and materials, you can construct a rack that is specifically sized for your own boat's measurements. Make a single or double tier so you can gear up and take your boat to your favorite water destinations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Steel pipes
Tape measure
Metal-cutting torch or welder

Step 1

Measure the dimensions of the utility trailer. The trailer's width determines the length of your rack's cross members, and the trailer's length determines how long the braces should be. The width of the cross members should not exceed the width measurement of your trailer; same with the braces. The height for your vertical bars depends on how many canoes you want to transport. Add more height, at least a foot, to the height of your utility trailer to provide support for your canoes, especially if you are planning on transporting multiple boats.

Step 2

Cut the steel pipes to your measured lengths with the metal-cutting torch. You need two braces and two vertical bars. The number of your cross members depends on the number of your boats. You will need two cross members for each boat you want to support.

Step 3

Weld one brace to the vertical pipes one foot from the top and weld the other one at the very bottom to connect the two vertical bars. These braces will stabilize your rack. The brace length is the length between the two vertical bars.

Step 4

Weld and attach your measured cross members to the vertical bars. This will serve as support for the weight of your canoes. If necessary, add more bars depending on your trailer capacity. Make sure there is enough space and clearance so your boat can fit adequately in between the bars.

Step 5

Attach and fit the rack to the utility trailer by welding the bottom cross members and the bottom of the vertical bars to the trailer's floor. Stabilize all the pipes and you now have a canoe rack for your utility trailer.

Tips & Warnings

Put soft padding on your cross members to protect the surface of your boats.

Article Written By Rona Aquino

Rona Aquino began writing professionally in 2008. As an avid marathon runner and outdoor enthusiast, she writes on topics of running, fitness and outdoor recreation for various publications. Aquino holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and English from the University of Maryland College Park.

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