Is the factory rack on the 96 fairly decent for something like a canoe or is it more for just looks? I don't want to be traveling down the road and have the boat fly off because the rack is a POS. :thumbdwn:

And I don't want to move non-911 posts from the 911 forum, but people keep posting this stuff there!! :thumbdwn:

I know the one on my '91 is pretty much just for looks, it says it's rating is 100lbs, but it's just plastic. Yours should have a sticker on it somewhere saying what it can handle.

According to the book it should easily handle the weight but I'm not sure. I've never seen anyone actually use a factory rack for transporting kayaks or canoes. Have you ever seen one used in this capacity?

Yes, it can handle a canoe with ease. That's what its there for. I've had a canoe on the factory rack of my '88 Taurus wagon back in high school, my parent's 98 Windstar, and my Explorer. All basically the same rack design. I doubt Ford sticks them on there just for looks, its not like they look really cool or anything. Now the Nissan XTerra ones, those are cool..

Oh, to clarify Robb's post (the first reply to your post), the 911 forum is ONLY for emergency situations. You and your canoe do not justify an emergency. You on the side of the road with smoke pouring out from under the hood does.

it will hold a canoe just fine, i've done it with no problems

Oh, to clarify Robb's post (the first reply to your post), the 911 forum is ONLY for emergency situations. You and your canoe do not justify an emergency. You on the side of the road with smoke pouring out from under the hood does.


OK, Isn't this the General Explorations forum?

OK, Isn't this the General Explorations forum?

Yes, but Robb moved it from the 911 forum to here.