How to Tie Down a Canoe to a Truck

Canoes are great fun, and safely transporting one to your favorite waterway is the first step in having an enjoyable time. A truck is an excellent vehicle for transporting a canoe, but some precautions are necessary, and securing the canoe is crucial. Failure to properly secure the canoe can result in damage or injury.

Things You'll Need

  • Canoe
  • Truck
  • Restraint straps or rope
  • Red flag
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lower the tailgate of the pickup truck to allow easy loading of the canoe. Slide the canoe into the bed of the truck, pushing it up against the cab so that only a small portion hangs from the back of the truck.

    • 2

      Thread the restraining strap or rope through the top anchor point on the portion of the canoe (usually found on the end) hanging from the back of the truck so that two trailing ends remain, one on each side of the canoe. If no such anchor point is available, wrap the strap around the seat inside the canoe with two trailing ends remaining as previously described.

    • 3

      Attach the trailing ends of the strap to anchor points found in the bed of the pickup, one on the left side and one on the right side. If no anchor points are found, tie the trailing ends to the bumper of the truck on each side.

    • 4

      Tighten and secure the strap. Tie a red flag to the end of the canoe hanging from the back.