How to load Kayak?

[Black T]

New kayak owner here! As you can see from the picture below, I am in need of a way to haul on the rack. (TE Rack w/ factory crossbars)

I have decided to run Yakima Mako Saddles, but I am unsure how to load this thing over the spoiler with damaging. The yak is a little too long and awkward for me to muscle up and over. I am looking for any suggestions. (Preferably cheap)

What does everyone else do? I will be loading alone 100% of the time.

My Options thus far:
1) Fabricate a hitch mount setup using hulley rollers
2) Yakima Showboat System

 

[atv223]

If you weren't already set on Yakima, I would recommend the Thule Outrigger. I just got one and it works pretty good and is the cheapest option for self loading help unless you build something yourself.

I plan to get a Hobie Outback next year and I won't be comfortable loading that with the outrigger or just putting it directly on the bars as I do now. I'll get the Thule Slipstream. It should extend far enough past the spoiler for loading. It ain't cheap, but the Hobie will be close to $2K, so it's worth the piece of mind for me.

There are some threads in Kayak fishing forums where people suction cups, PVC pipe and tennis balls to make a slider, but I could figure w good spot to mount it on the Gen 5. I wasn't feeling good about mounting it on the rear slider. If you are interested I can try to find the website.

 

[Mick1]

I have no experience with this, but just found this.

Oak Orchard SUV Kayak Roller Loader - Load your kayak with Ease

Think that thing would work?

 

[STLDAVE]

New kayak owner here! As you can see from the picture below, I am in need of a way to haul on the rack. (TE Rack w/ factory crossbars)

I have decided to run Yakima Mako Saddles, but I am unsure how to load this thing over the spoiler with damaging. The yak is a little too long and awkward for me to muscle up and over. I am looking for any suggestions. (Preferably cheap)

What does everyone else do? I will be loading alone 100% of the time.

My Options thus far:
1) Fabricate a hitch mount setup using hulley rollers
2) Yakima Showboat System

I just put a bath towel over the spoiler, rest the front of the boat against the spoiler and towel, then lift the back end up. If you have the crossbars as far back as possible you should be able to lift the rear far enough to put the bow in the rear saddles. Then just push forward.

 

[Davemon]

I just put a bath towel over the spoiler, rest the front of the boat against the spoiler and towel, then lift the back end up. If you have the crossbars as far back as possible you should be able to lift the rear far enough to put the bow in the rear saddles. Then just push forward.

This would work. I loaded a 60# canoe over my spoiler like this. Even had a good portion of the weight resting on the spoiler too. It flexed, but seemed like it was on there pretty good. So I wouldn't worry about breaking it off, especially if you're loading like STLDave was describing.

 

[jbstrd]

I have a 15' Necky and I use the Thule Hull-A-Port Pro. I like the side mounting better, especially when you are hauling in the hot sun. I found that the paddles I used to use would make the Kayak bend and bow in the hot sun.

 

[SgnDen]

I hauled two ocean Kayaks on my 4th Gen for 5 years when I was living on the east coast. This was the best and easiest I had found. Requires what essentially amounts to a clean-and-jerk weight lifting move of sorts and you just whip it right up onto the cradle, strap em on and you're set. If you're either short or unable to lift your Yak over your head, then you'd need two people of course. VERY stable and I am insistent on 100% locked-down safe carrying (I ride a motorcycle 50% of the time).

They fold down easily too.

 

[cbielat]

I just used a step ladder and a friend to place two on the top of mine. I have two Old Towns which are pretty heavy.

 

[Black T]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I will keep everyone posted if I decide to fabricate or invent something new.

It was hard enough to convince the wife into purchasing the kayak. I can only imagine what she is going to say when she observes me working on a way to load this thing!

 

[Kraeken]

Is that a Tarpon 120? I recently picked up a used one from a friend, I had it out in the chop tonight! Lots of fun, I just got thigh straps for it, I'm going to try to roll it next time I take it out...

Anyway, I haul 17' sea kayaks like three or four times a week. I have Thule cross bars with Hull-A-Port Pro cradles mounted on them. I use the cradles for the sea kayaks. For the sit on tops, I just use some foam on the bare bars and transport them upside down. Sit on top kayaks are best transported flat.

Either way, I do like others here and put a towel on the spoiler, and load the kayak from the rear.

 

[Bookmonke]

Check out this link for some cool ways for the loading, some cheap the coolest is expensive.

Kayak and Canoe Load Assist Car Roof Rack attachments: Thule Hullaport, Yakima Showboat, Malone Telos and Rollerloader

 

[atv223]

I am surprised that people use the spoiler to support the weight of the Kayak while loading. It's been my biggest concern not to have any weight on it while loading. It doesn't seem that strong and if it gets damaged I don't think it's going to be cheap to replace.

IMHO, people always seem to complain about the cost of load assist devices until they knock a side view mirror off while loading or throw their back out. Then the cost of the most expensive device looks cheap.

 

[scanny]

I guess there are really not that many ways to load kayak
1. Kayak loaders like , Thule Hullavator or similar. Probably easiest loading but expensive
2. Rollers such as Yakima HullyRollers or Thule Splipstream
3. Using some rag over a spoiler (carefully I guess)
4. A friend's help.

My kayaks are small and not very heavy (34lbs each), I probably could load it from the back alone, but so far we use 2 people to load kayaks.

 

[Lakelander]

I use an "extend a truck" in the hitch (just for loading my yak not carrying it) set in the vertical/tall position:

Extend-A-Truck 944 Truck Bed Extender : Amazon.com : Automotive

with one of these bolted to it:

Oak Orchard SUV Kayak Roller Loader - Load your kayak with Ease

On the factory racks I use Yakima "Railgrabs" & bars with "hulley rollers" & saddles. Takes me seconds to load my boat (16 footer) up & this setup clears the spoiler no problem. All added together it can get pricey though!

 

[WIT4R]

If you can afford it, Thule Hullavator. They are pricey but trust me if you plan on kayaking a lot, they are worth every cent. You will definitely be able to load that boat by yourself without any fear of scratching or denting your truck. They are rock solid too as I have no drama at all driving at highway speeds with both boats on the truck.

With Hullavators you only need to lift the boat 3 feet or so to get it into the cradles. Once there you strap them in and lift them to the top of the truck. The arms have struts that help carry the weight of the boat.

You can check ebay and save a few bucks that what I did. Note sometimes there are none listed, but if you keep checking sooner or later someone will post one for sale.

Here are some pics of my truck and our yaks. Note these are 15' Ocean Kayaks, one is a Trident 15 and one is a Prowler 15 (basically the same thing). These boats are heavy and this wrack has no problem handling them. Note you will need to get Thule crossbars that are long enough, so the wrack can hold the boat far enough away from the truck. I love them.

 

[atv223]

If you can afford it, Thule Hullavator. They are pricey but trust me if you plan on kayaking a lot, they are worth every cent. You will definitely be able to load that boat by yourself without any fear of scratching or denting your truck. They are rock solid too as I have no drama at all driving at highway speeds with both boats on the truck.

With Hullavators you only need to lift the boat 3 feet or so to get it into the cradles. Once there you strap them in and lift them to the top of the truck. The arms have struts that help carry the weight of the boat.

You can check ebay and save a few bucks that what I did. Note sometimes there are none listed, but if you keep checking sooner or later someone will post one for sale.

Here are some pics of my truck and our yaks. Note these are 15' Ocean Kayaks, one is a Trident 15 and one is a Prowler 15 (basically the same thing). These boats are heavy and this wrack has no problem handling them. Note you will need to get Thule crossbars that are long enough, so the wrack can hold the boat far enough away from the truck. I love them.

I was wondering how your setup with 2 Hullavators is working and holding up? How far do your transport them?

The reason I ask is that I bought 1 Hullavator and love it with my Hobie Outback! Getting a second would be great, but I was concerned about weight issues. A set of Hullavators weights about 40 lbs, I believe your kayaks are about 60 lbs. So for both Kayaks and Hullavators, you are at 200 lbs. The rack on the 4Runner is only rated at 120 lbs and the Thule bars at 150 lbs. With 2 Outbacks I would be another 30 lbs on that.

I regular transport mine 100 miles on the highway at 70+ mph so that's a factor to.

Any insight would be appreciated!

 

[dieselndixie]

New kayak owner here! As you can see from the picture below, I am in need of a way to haul on the rack. (TE Rack w/ factory crossbars)

Is it bad, that I actually think the way he has it is just fine :rockon: I used to load my 2 person hobie alone, and it was a PITA.

 

[bjb2128]

Compare Rhino-Rack T-Load vs Thule Goalpost | etrailer.com

This is what I use.

 

[ben550]

I load by pushing the kayak/canoe over the rear spoiler with a towel under it. Then use ratchet straps to secure it to the roof rack.

One man or two person job... haha.

 

[PROFILER]

x2 on the Rhino rack T load Assist. I use a Moken fishing kayak that is heavier and wider than a lot of standard kayaks (for standing up). The Rhino makes loading this 70+ pound kayak easy.