Kayak Racks

[rugbynut Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rugbynut]

Hi guys

Need some help. Recently bought a kayak, 4.5m and about 37 kgs too heavy and ungainly to lift up single handedly, maybe could have 10 yrs ago but not now. Recently picked up an Altitude replacing my old GQ shorty , which while being a truck it was a beast and I didnt worry about it too much!. I had a couple of brackets on the old roof rack and used to lift the bow up and sit it on the back roof of the GQ the lift the bum up and just slide it on from behind.


Didnt do the duco much good but didnt really matter.

For the prado I am thinking of making up a dolly with a roller that cantelevers out the back to protect the car and allow me to get the damn yak up there. In hindsight should have got a smaller , lighter yack!!


Thing is the Prado is pretty high and im no monster... currently have a couple of Rhinorack cross bars only
Anyway open to other ideas or products, I cant be the only one who struggles becuase I have to load un load by myself. What do other people do and what sort of bracket/ setups do you use, looking for some good ideas or options that are available?

any help would be great//

cheers

[Davo150 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Davo150]

Hi Rugbynut

Rhino Rack do a new product called a T Loader, hope this helps

Regards
Davo150.

[rptdprado Member Find all posts View Profile Close rptdprado]

Hi Rugbynut,

I have the same dilemma and have a need to get my kayaks up on my roof racks solo sometimes. Check this out, its called "Strongarm kayak loader". I've not seen it in action so no idea what they are like:

http://www.boathoist.com.au/kayak-loader.html

Scroll down the bottom of the web page there is a visual guide of how it works.

cheers

[CQ_Prado Member Find all posts View Profile Close CQ_Prado]

Just purchased one of these and its fantastic.

http://www.rackandroll.net.au/

[Chewbacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chewbacca]

I have had my eye on a thule hullavator for a while:

http://www.thule.com.au/thule-897xt-hullavator

Shame they are a bit pricey at over $700.

Cheers Matt.

[rugbynut Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rugbynut]

Thanks guys

3 very different approach's to the problem
The kayak loader is about ~$450, looks good.
The rack and roll isd the cheapest at~$140 and simplest.
The Thule is a piece of work, very slick. Most expensive at ~$710

Probably go the rack and roll I think...

[rugbynut Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rugbynut]

Hey CQ

how big is your kayak? do you use the leg for support?

cheers

[CQ_Prado Member Find all posts View Profile Close CQ_Prado]

I have a malibu stealth12 fully decked for fishing its a heavy ar$e probably around the 38-45kg. I did get the support leg and should use it but i havent yet I always take it with me tho, there is quite a lot of flex in the bar indicating it wants to be supported ...

If you wanted to save a couple of dollars you could get the racknroll and sort out your own leg, but definately worth it and i'll be using the leg in future due to some creaking sounds coming from it last trip

[Kev7762 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kev7762]

Hi Rugbynut,

I have the same dilemma and have a need to get my kayaks up on my roof racks solo sometimes. Check this out, its called "Strongarm kayak loader". I've not seen it in action so no idea what they are like:

http://www.boathoist.com.au/kayak-loader.html

Scroll down the bottom of the web page there is a visual guide of how it works.

cheers

Anyone spot the state of the spare on the back of the Prado?

[Kev7762 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kev7762]

I have the Toyota (Rola) bars and the Rola Kayak racks, they have 2 types of pads, I have the slide pads at the rear and the non slip pads at the front.
The Finn affinity weighs in at about 20kgs (apparently) and I can usually get it up onto the roof by myself, need to make sure that the kayak doesn't hit the spoiler when loading though. Can be a bit of a lift depending how far I have to carry it and how hard I've paddled.
Also found on the trip up North that it tends to move around a bit on the rack.
Very impressed with the Thule system, but the cost is a bit extravagant for me.

[rugbynut Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rugbynut]

CQ

Yep thats what I thought re the leg. The bloke who makes trhem suggest just get a tent pole or something when I asked him about it. He was really helpful.

Looks like the rack and roll might be the go.

Kev 7762

Yes I did spot the crappy spare.

Im in WA as well and am considering getting the sports muffler, from what I read its a great cheap power boost for low down revs. Are you happy with its performance and where did you get it done?

cheers
RN

[slatts Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slatts]

This looks like a bloody good invention.... doesnt look too difficult to make..

http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=20590

[Kev7762 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kev7762]

CQ

Yep thats what I thought re the leg. The bloke who makes trhem suggest just get a tent pole or something when I asked him about it. He was really helpful.

Looks like the rack and roll might be the go.

Kev 7762

Yes I did spot the crappy spare.

Im in WA as well and am considering getting the sports muffler, from what I read its a great cheap power boost for low down revs. Are you happy with its performance and where did you get it done?

cheers
RN

Very happy with sports muffler - I got it done at Port Kennedy exhaust, but any muffler shop will be able to do it.