Kayak car rack assist - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

SHRED · 06-04-2017, 12:37 PM

My lower back is not in good enough shape anymore to hoist my Outback on to the roof rack on my Honda CR-V.

Any suggestions?
I'm looking at the Thule Hulavator. Is it pretty much the gold standard or are there other options?
I don't want a trailer.
Thanks.

Hunters Pa · 06-04-2017, 12:49 PM

I put carpet and all-purpose utility hooks on a couple 8 foot 2x4s to help slide the kayak onto my rack on a gmc envoy. Hoisting a hack up to 7+ feet after a day on the water was a bit much. But, for my PA I use a trailer

kirkdavis · 06-04-2017, 01:17 PM

I have an Outback CRV combo and made a T-bar to assist similar to ones you can buy. I only have to lift one end at a time.
Reading about the hulavator it only assists with up to 40 pounds from waist high. Sounds like you have to lift the whole 80 up to waist high to get it on. I like my T-bar and I'm 56 with periodical back problems.

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steve999 · 06-04-2017, 02:43 PM

Yakima makes what they call a "boat loader". It's just a bar inside one of the roof crossbars that telescopes out. Allows you to put one end of the kayak on the bar, so you only have to lift one end at a time. Requires yakima round roof rack though.

SHRED · 06-04-2017, 03:21 PM

I gotta do something.
I'd hate to ruin a fishing trip or worse by wrenching my back.

MrPukaShell · 06-04-2017, 03:54 PM

I watched a guy load his Outback by himself using the Yakima bar extender. He extended the bar on the front rack and lifted the front of the Outback on to the bar. He had a little bungie or something to keep it from sliding off. Then went to the back and lifted it on. Look on Youtube and there are examples.

Mahigeer · 06-04-2017, 04:22 PM

Defjack uses the extender and he makes it looks easy. He is in good shape for his age.

I am waiting to hear from Andy so I can go to OEX to pickup my Thule Helluvator. Not cheap since I had to buy Thule cross bars too, so I can use the Helluvator.

I will post about it.

Since it will store the kayak on one side, there will be room for a roof carrier on the other part of the roof. If needed, I hope there is enough room inside the cab for my gear for Baja, so I don't need the roof carrier.

There are many YouTube posts.

jrip · 06-05-2017, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHRED

I gotta do something.
I'd hate to ruin a fishing trip or worse by wrenching my back.

I got a Malone trailer and wouldn't go back to car-top. It's just easier to load.

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steve999 · 06-05-2017, 04:10 PM

The hullacator requires you to lift the whole kayak to belly height. The Yakima boat loader requires you lift one half the kayak over your head, but you do it twice.

Not clear that one method is any easier than the other. Try lifting half of your kayak over head or the whole kayak belly high, just like they do in the youtube videos, and decide for yourself.

If your lifting using the boat loader, you put a folded towel or knobby door mat under one end of the kayak when you lift the other end. Then it won't slide or scratch.

SHRED · 06-07-2017, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrip

I got a Malone trailer and wouldn't go back to car-top. It's just easier to load.

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That is a good option. Those are nice trailers. I had one for my PA.
I cant use a trailer for travel though. My RV tows the CRV with the kayaks on top of the CRV.

kirkdavis · 06-04-2017, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve999

Yakima makes what they call a "boat loader". It's just a bar inside one of the roof crossbars that telescopes out. Allows you to put one end of the kayak on the bar, so you only have to lift one end at a time. Requires yakima round roof rack though.

I made one of those before the T-bar I ended up with. The problem is, you still need to lift one end up higher than your shoulders. Then you have to go lift the other end to the same height and wrangle it around to get it slid sideways onto the car top. With the T-bar, you lift one end up to about high belly/low chest, then walk to the bottom end, lift and push, and it slides right up onto the roof.

Snags · 06-04-2017, 05:38 PM

I have a CRV with a hullavator.
Had back surgery about 4 years ago and it's been a big help. You do have to lift the yak around waist high.
I have a Trident 13 so it's fairly light and haven't had any issues
Downside is the cost but it has been worth it.
Just make sure you take it off before you go in low parking garages.

SHRED · 06-04-2017, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snags

I have a CRV with a hullavator.
Had back surgery about 4 years ago and it's been a big help. You do have to lift the yak around waist high.
I have a Trident 13 so it's fairly light and haven't had any issues
Downside is the cost but it has been worth it.
Just make sure you take it off before you go in low parking garages.

Good to know. Thanks.

How long do my crossbars need to be to house 2 Hullavators?

IslanderFishing · 06-06-2017, 09:24 PM

I have a Rhino Rack T Loader. It's never been used and still in the box. I'm willing to let it go for $200. PM if interested.

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SHRED · 06-07-2017, 08:52 AM

It looks like it's quickly removeable to attach to the other side if need be for two kayak loading.

http://www.rhinorack.com/products/sp...de-loader_rusl

06-04-2017, 12:37 PM	#1
SHRED Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Encinitas (Leucadia), CA Posts: 93	Kayak car rack assist My lower back is not in good enough shape anymore to hoist my Outback on to the roof rack on my Honda CR-V. Any suggestions? I'm looking at the Thule Hulavator. Is it pretty much the gold standard or are there other options? I don't want a trailer. Thanks.

06-04-2017, 03:21 PM	#5
SHRED Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Encinitas (Leucadia), CA Posts: 93	Thanks for the replies I gotta do something. I'd hate to ruin a fishing trip or worse by wrenching my back.

06-07-2017, 08:52 AM	#15
SHRED Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Encinitas (Leucadia), CA Posts: 93	This unit looks good It looks like it's quickly removeable to attach to the other side if need be for two kayak loading. http://www.rhinorack.com/products/sp...de-loader_rusl

06-04-2017, 12:49 PM	#2
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,358	I put carpet and all-purpose utility hooks on a couple 8 foot 2x4s to help slide the kayak onto my rack on a gmc envoy. Hoisting a hack up to 7+ feet after a day on the water was a bit much. But, for my PA I use a trailer

06-04-2017, 01:17 PM	#3
kirkdavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: SD County Posts: 360	I have an Outback CRV combo and made a T-bar to assist similar to ones you can buy. I only have to lift one end at a time. Reading about the hulavator it only assists with up to 40 pounds from waist high. Sounds like you have to lift the whole 80 up to waist high to get it on. I like my T-bar and I'm 56 with periodical back problems. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06-04-2017, 02:43 PM	#4
steve999 Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 39	Yakima makes what they call a "boat loader". It's just a bar inside one of the roof crossbars that telescopes out. Allows you to put one end of the kayak on the bar, so you only have to lift one end at a time. Requires yakima round roof rack though.

06-04-2017, 03:54 PM	#6
MrPukaShell Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ventura COunty Posts: 521	I watched a guy load his Outback by himself using the Yakima bar extender. He extended the bar on the front rack and lifted the front of the Outback on to the bar. He had a little bungie or something to keep it from sliding off. Then went to the back and lifted it on. Look on Youtube and there are examples.

06-04-2017, 04:22 PM	#7
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,863	Defjack uses the extender and he makes it looks easy. He is in good shape for his age. I am waiting to hear from Andy so I can go to OEX to pickup my Thule Helluvator. Not cheap since I had to buy Thule cross bars too, so I can use the Helluvator. I will post about it. Since it will store the kayak on one side, there will be room for a roof carrier on the other part of the roof. If needed, I hope there is enough room inside the cab for my gear for Baja, so I don't need the roof carrier. There are many YouTube posts.

06-05-2017, 04:10 PM	#9
steve999 Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 39	The hullacator requires you to lift the whole kayak to belly height. The Yakima boat loader requires you lift one half the kayak over your head, but you do it twice. Not clear that one method is any easier than the other. Try lifting half of your kayak over head or the whole kayak belly high, just like they do in the youtube videos, and decide for yourself. If your lifting using the boat loader, you put a folded towel or knobby door mat under one end of the kayak when you lift the other end. Then it won't slide or scratch.

06-04-2017, 05:38 PM	#12
Snags Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Culver City Posts: 103	I have a CRV with a hullavator. Had back surgery about 4 years ago and it's been a big help. You do have to lift the yak around waist high. I have a Trident 13 so it's fairly light and haven't had any issues Downside is the cost but it has been worth it. Just make sure you take it off before you go in low parking garages.

06-06-2017, 09:24 PM	#14
IslanderFishing Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temecula Posts: 99	I have a Rhino Rack T Loader. It's never been used and still in the box. I'm willing to let it go for $200. PM if interested. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk