Yak loading question

[Duke]

Hey guys, I'm getting a new F-150 and I plan to install a ladder rack on the bed for loading the kayak (I can't use a bed extender because I also use the yak for yakking out shark bait, and I need to fit an 80 gal cooler along with other gear in the bed).

I was wondering if there was any easy way for me to load my 15' kayak by myself on top of the rack. I know about the Hullivator, but is there any other option? it's pretty expensive and times are tough. How do you guys load a big kayak by yourself on top of a SUV or truck?

Thanks!

[prowlerdude]

I just have the racks and roller on my F-150. Once I get the tip of the bow on the roller, it a piece of cake. Solo launch most of the time too.

[Duke]

Where can I find the rollers? That's a great idea!

[MalibuJohnny]

I got mine at West Marine... I found the same ones later a Wal Mart for alot less...

http://images.westmarine.com/full/175935.jpg

[fknricter]

i actually uses an aluminum ladder rack i got off ebay for pretty cheap. its removable, and with some swimming "noodle" as padding it works really well, especially cuz 9 out of 10 times im going solo. ill try and snap a couple pics for you as soon as the hurricane is gone!
-mikey

[dgax65]

Having a hull roller on the back of your rack will definitely help.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/530/Dual_kayak_rack_005_Medium_.jpg

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/530/Kayak_detail_006_Medium_.jpg

If you can come up with a way to position the roller farther behind and below the rack it will help even more.

[Grego]

I have a bad back and use a thule extension arm. You put one side up on the extended arm and then pick the back up. You can easily fabricate one for your rack that either mounts to the outside or slides inside the ladder rack if the crossbars are hollow (had one like that also when I had a truck shell).

Came across this site, at the very bottom you can kinda see how it works in action.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ramblekatz.com/Graphics/Yak/thule_bar.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ramblekatz.com/kayak/gII.html&usg=__KwpVKBbrWvLwX9R1ZDO57p54ZHs=&h=200&w=300&sz=12&hl=en&start=8&um=1&tbnid=_9IECT3pXm2ZXM:&tbnh=77&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthule%2Bextension%2Bbar%26hl%3Den%26c lient%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1