>My Q: Anyone out there carried a canoe (~80lb) on this type of system
>(Thule with artificial rain gutters drilled into the camper top)?  How did
>it go and could the top be opened with the canoe on?

I have never carried a canoe but have carried up to three bicycles with
no worries with such a setup.  Yes I have raised the pop top with racks
and two bicycles mounted, never tried it with three.  But be forewarned,
you either have to be named "Hercules" or have a helper to raise and
lower the roof with such a weight attached.

My sister carried her kayak to the LiMBO on Long Island event last
weekend using such a setup.  I don't think it weighed quite 80 lbs, but
we could raise the pop top, and subsequently raise the rear hatch, with
the boat attached.  Definitely took two of us to raise and lower the
roof.  She was able to take the boat down and put it back up on the rack
without assistance.

Best wishes,

Tony

Anthony L. Mourkas
Hampden, Maine, USA
1984   Vanagon Westfalia    "Gertrude"
1986.5 Quantum Syncro Wagon "Wolfgang"
1991   Jetta Eco Diesel     "Liesel"