I am adding a rack to the Dart wagon. I have no idea what type of reinforcement, or spacers, washer, et c. are typically used in side the car. I'll be hauling a canoe, and so want make sure this rack doesn't flex and dent the roof. Does anyone have a picture of how a rack bracket mounts from the inside? THis is an early 70s Ford rack, Thanks
I have logged a LOT of miles with a canoe on the roof of various cars. In my experience, the best way to do it is to use the cartop kits made for that purpose. You'll have four foam blocks that snap onto the gunwales of the boat, and an inverted V of rope tied to the ends of the bumper pulled real tight. The canoe won't be able to slide around the way it can on a metal roof rack. I've driven the lengrh of the state with an 18' canoe on top of a little Honda @80 MPH this way, with no problem. The kit costs about $20.00 IIRC.
I've used those too. Some sets have straps at the ends, that have these lever-like things you pull down, that tightyen the straps. THen you slide a ring over the lever, and it is secure. I have a rope with S hooks at either end, and in the middle they are connected by a turnbuckle. I use that to take up slack. THat is excellent, but any time you switch to a different vehicle, you have to untie and move the S hooks. Otherwise, trouble free. But what I'd like to see is how to brace the rack corner points so they dont flex and possibly distort the metal.
