Roof carriers for kayaks
Discussion
Having had a load of fun with an inflatable kayak last summer, I've bought a 3.5m sit on top. I now need to work out how to transport it.
I have roof bars already, just need the kayak carrier itself.
I've seen some side loading ones which look great but for a 30kg kayak up to head height without dropping it on the car might be a struggle by one person. Perhaps if I used steps to get higher it would be more manageable?
Alternatively I've seen a rear loading version where you raise it onto rear pads and then push all the way onto the roof and a front set of grippy pads which might be more realistic if I'm doing it myself.
Any suggestions? It'll be put on a Merc estate if that makes any difference.
I have roof bars already, just need the kayak carrier itself.
I've seen some side loading ones which look great but for a 30kg kayak up to head height without dropping it on the car might be a struggle by one person. Perhaps if I used steps to get higher it would be more manageable?
Alternatively I've seen a rear loading version where you raise it onto rear pads and then push all the way onto the roof and a front set of grippy pads which might be more realistic if I'm doing it myself.
Any suggestions? It'll be put on a Merc estate if that makes any difference.
There is a make of rack out there where you slide a tube out from the rack so it protrudes out over the passenger door. You then lift one end of the boat up and onto the tube with the boat alongside the car. You then go to the other end and lift that all the way onto the rack. Complete by lifting the front end over into the rack and slide the tube away.
No idea who makes it.
Steve
No idea who makes it.
Steve
Just to clarify, you are asking how to lift the kayak onto your roof bars? 
If so, may I suggest a gym membership, or get someone to help you.
If I've got that wrong, then you can get foam blocks which are designed to fit onto roof bars. Simply sit them between the kayak and roof bars, then snug down with webbing straps.
If so, may I suggest a gym membership, or get someone to help you.
If I've got that wrong, then you can get foam blocks which are designed to fit onto roof bars. Simply sit them between the kayak and roof bars, then snug down with webbing straps.
Lifting 30+ kg is one thing, lifting a bulky and awkward shaped kayak on a windy day onto a new Merc estate is something else 
I'll usually be with somebody but will occasionally take my kids out and at 5 and 7 they're not going to be too useful. I want it to be very secure because I'll do a lot of motorway miles with it.
I'm just looking for a simple way to load a kayak singlehanded.
I'll usually be with somebody but will occasionally take my kids out and at 5 and 7 they're not going to be too useful. I want it to be very secure because I'll do a lot of motorway miles with it.
I'm just looking for a simple way to load a kayak singlehanded.
Steve_D said:
Thanks for the link - I've seen somebody do similar by stuffing a broom handle under their roof rack. Looked like it worked OK but I'm going to go for the Thule 873 rear loading one
I've figured out a way to easily get it onto the roof by myself.
I bought a piece of thickish wood about 8 feet long,with one side covered in pipe insulation. Lay it over the roof rack and with a short loop of string attach it to the rack on the side away from where I'm working.
Put a piece of carpet on the ground to avoid scratches and lift the other end onto the insulation then lift the other end onto the rack. Very quick and easy and cost about a tenner.
I bought a piece of thickish wood about 8 feet long,with one side covered in pipe insulation. Lay it over the roof rack and with a short loop of string attach it to the rack on the side away from where I'm working.
Put a piece of carpet on the ground to avoid scratches and lift the other end onto the insulation then lift the other end onto the rack. Very quick and easy and cost about a tenner.
Another really easy method is to carry a piece of carpet underlay. It's slippery on one side and rubbery on the other so works really well. Lay the underlay rubber side down over the back of the car and up to the roof bar, then lift the kayak onto it. Then push and slide the kayak up the car onto the roof rack.
The rubber backed underlay prevents it from moving and doesn't scratch the car.
The rubber backed underlay prevents it from moving and doesn't scratch the car.
Excuse the silly photo of me but I carry two 25kg Hobies on roof bars with padding and tie downs. Quick easy and effective:
Here's how I load them singlehanded, as Steve said a few posts in, it's a bar that clips on. You then lift the front of e kayak on, once on its pretty easy to lift the rear up and onto the roof bars proper. Then finally slide front across and tie down :
Brand name is rack and roll, check it out here
Www.rackandroll.com.au
Here's how I load them singlehanded, as Steve said a few posts in, it's a bar that clips on. You then lift the front of e kayak on, once on its pretty easy to lift the rear up and onto the roof bars proper. Then finally slide front across and tie down :
Brand name is rack and roll, check it out here
Www.rackandroll.com.au
Edited by robm3 on Saturday 30th June 01:20
Simple, straight roof bars & straps for my open boat (mohawk) kayaks (dagger manba & big dog havoc) in the car (S max), If i need to carry more than two boats or more passengers, on the roof bars on their sides,strapped to vertical pylons, can cary up to four playboats or three creek boats. some people stack one kayak ontop of another, this might work with SOTs. The most I have carried was seven 3m kayaks, four as a base the three on top of those !! only for a short run and something I would not want to do again. I have also seen two six man rafts on top of a VW transporter !!
Chris
Chris
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