How I made loading a kayak onto a sedan easy for $20 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Aussieonyak · 10-09-2008, 08:52 PM

Hi - I'm new to kayaking and loving my new Hobie revolution. I'm not tall and lifting my kayak onto the roof of my sedan can be real tricky so I figured there had to be a better way without spending a lot of money - and there was! I decided that the rather expensive(but very good) wheeleze that I bought to carry the kayak across sand may also help me to load the kayak - here's how i did it.

First I needed a way to mount the wheels so that they would be in the perfect position for loading onto the roof - in my case the trunk of my sedan was a good option (it could also be a good option to use the hood). But how to protect the paintwork? I decided rubber suction cups but where could I get them cheaply? A trip to Home depot got me all the parts - belive it or not I used 3 sink plungers, a pvc T junction and 2 worm clips from plumbing. The pictures tell most of the story - FIRST the parts:

next a close up of the sophisticated suction cup system :

Now a close up of the T bar and worm clips - these were needed to attach a 3rd "leg" to wheeleze that could be easily pulled apart.

some slight modifications to the parts were needed to make it all work . The two Rubber suction cups for the wheeleze have a rubber thread to attach the wooden handles - you may need to remove some of the rubber thread on the inside using a thin sharp knife to get a nice fit on the wheel struts.

The next modification involved the PVC T junction - cut a slot in the side that does not have the junction (see photo) - this is needed to get it onto the wheeleze cross bar as it is welded in place.

The T junction after cutting with a hacksaw:

The T Bar is going to be used to house the handle end of the third plunger so that the wheeleze will have 3 suction cups on the trunk in a triangle formation for stability. Attach the T Bar to the wheels using the two s/steel worm clamps:

The new device is now ready to use but needs bracing to stop it from sliding around because these suction cups weren't really made for this job.

The final result - loader in place. I found the best bracing was obtained by using 3 or 4 straps with rubber coated hooks (Home depot $9.95 for set of 4) to hold the frame in place1 or 2 straps forward, hooked on the rear bar of the roof rack and the other two straps to the towing hook under the back of the car - you may get away with one forward and one rear strap.

I think you get the idea - it was cheap and easy to make - under $20 including straps - It took after 15 minutes to make - and it does not interfere with the normal usage of the wheeleze and there is nothing that will rust. I use bungee cord to keep the T junction centered on the bar - there is probably an easier way to do that.
With this arrangement I just lift the front edge of the kayak onto the wheeleze and push from behind - it is so easy to do. I like to carry the kayak upside down on the rack so once it is on there I flip it but that is not necessary.

hope some of you find this interesting and helpful.

Happy yakking

dgax65 · 10-09-2008, 09:42 PM

Ingenious. Very nice work.

steveooo · 10-09-2008, 09:44 PM

Holy Carp! Maybe one of the best uses of 3 plungers that I have ever seen.

Rusty · 10-09-2008, 10:40 PM

You got skillz !!!

bajadog · 10-10-2008, 03:54 AM

Very clever.

Handymansd · 10-10-2008, 06:51 AM

Nice original thinking and application! It has been awhile since I have seen such an original idea!

I wonder if I can spin off your idea to get my yak on top of my truck?

lamb · 10-10-2008, 07:14 AM

Creative innovation at is best!

Thanks for sharing.

forefrazier · 10-10-2008, 07:26 AM

Pretty cool! What are you going to do with the left over plunger handles though?

1. Cord up a handle and a gaff hook....Cheapo Calcutta Gaffs x3
2. Tie them all together and use it as a fish bat for your next 'butt that gets OOC.

MalibuJohnny · 10-10-2008, 08:18 AM

mc08066 · 10-10-2008, 01:56 PM

Shoot, I wish I had seen this before I scratched up my truck area. Thanks for sharing, I will definitely need to get 3 pluggers.
Thanks
Jimmy

Malibujohnny funny toilet cleaner.

nmbrinkman · 10-10-2008, 02:12 PM

"Go go gadget kayak rollers!"

Lord Matthew34 · 10-12-2008, 07:58 AM

Great idea!! I work at Dixieline if anybody wants a deal on plungers

dorf · 10-12-2008, 08:46 PM

Multi tasking at it's finest.

10-09-2008, 08:52 PM	#1
Aussieonyak Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1	How I made loading a kayak onto a sedan easy for $20 Hi - I'm new to kayaking and loving my new Hobie revolution. I'm not tall and lifting my kayak onto the roof of my sedan can be real tricky so I figured there had to be a better way without spending a lot of money - and there was! I decided that the rather expensive(but very good) wheeleze that I bought to carry the kayak across sand may also help me to load the kayak - here's how i did it. First I needed a way to mount the wheels so that they would be in the perfect position for loading onto the roof - in my case the trunk of my sedan was a good option (it could also be a good option to use the hood). But how to protect the paintwork? I decided rubber suction cups but where could I get them cheaply? A trip to Home depot got me all the parts - belive it or not I used 3 sink plungers, a pvc T junction and 2 worm clips from plumbing. The pictures tell most of the story - FIRST the parts: next a close up of the sophisticated suction cup system : Now a close up of the T bar and worm clips - these were needed to attach a 3rd "leg" to wheeleze that could be easily pulled apart. some slight modifications to the parts were needed to make it all work . The two Rubber suction cups for the wheeleze have a rubber thread to attach the wooden handles - you may need to remove some of the rubber thread on the inside using a thin sharp knife to get a nice fit on the wheel struts. The next modification involved the PVC T junction - cut a slot in the side that does not have the junction (see photo) - this is needed to get it onto the wheeleze cross bar as it is welded in place. The T junction after cutting with a hacksaw: The T Bar is going to be used to house the handle end of the third plunger so that the wheeleze will have 3 suction cups on the trunk in a triangle formation for stability. Attach the T Bar to the wheels using the two s/steel worm clamps: The new device is now ready to use but needs bracing to stop it from sliding around because these suction cups weren't really made for this job. The final result - loader in place. I found the best bracing was obtained by using 3 or 4 straps with rubber coated hooks (Home depot $9.95 for set of 4) to hold the frame in place1 or 2 straps forward, hooked on the rear bar of the roof rack and the other two straps to the towing hook under the back of the car - you may get away with one forward and one rear strap. I think you get the idea - it was cheap and easy to make - under $20 including straps - It took after 15 minutes to make - and it does not interfere with the normal usage of the wheeleze and there is nothing that will rust. I use bungee cord to keep the T junction centered on the bar - there is probably an easier way to do that. With this arrangement I just lift the front edge of the kayak onto the wheeleze and push from behind - it is so easy to do. I like to carry the kayak upside down on the rack so once it is on there I flip it but that is not necessary. hope some of you find this interesting and helpful. Happy yakking __________________ A Boat can be considered a hole in the water where you throw money.

10-09-2008, 09:42 PM	#2
dgax65 Guerro Grande Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 629	Ingenious. Very nice work. __________________ Douglas Gaxiola Team No Fish- Amateur Staff

10-10-2008, 03:54 AM	#5
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	Very clever. __________________ Please release bill-fish.

10-10-2008, 06:51 AM	#6
Handymansd Ancient Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: On The Water Posts: 935	Nice original thinking and application! It has been awhile since I have seen such an original idea! I wonder if I can spin off your idea to get my yak on top of my truck? __________________ All men are equal before fish. -Herbert Hoover

10-10-2008, 07:14 AM	#7
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,563	Creative innovation at is best! Thanks for sharing. __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

10-09-2008, 09:44 PM	#3
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	Holy Carp! Maybe one of the best uses of 3 plungers that I have ever seen.

10-09-2008, 10:40 PM	#4
Rusty Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: LJ Posts: 201	You got skillz !!!

10-10-2008, 07:26 AM	#8
forefrazier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: OC Posts: 397	Pretty cool! What are you going to do with the left over plunger handles though? 1. Cord up a handle and a gaff hook....Cheapo Calcutta Gaffs x3 2. Tie them all together and use it as a fish bat for your next 'butt that gets OOC.

10-10-2008, 08:18 AM	#9
MalibuJohnny Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lahina (I Wish) Posts: 272	What a brilliant IDEA… __________________ Malibu Johnny must catch fish

10-10-2008, 01:56 PM	#10
mc08066 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 51	Sedan Shoot, I wish I had seen this before I scratched up my truck area. Thanks for sharing, I will definitely need to get 3 pluggers. Thanks Jimmy Malibujohnny funny toilet cleaner.

10-10-2008, 02:12 PM	#11
nmbrinkman Work Sucks! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 559	"Go go gadget kayak rollers!"

10-12-2008, 07:58 AM	#12
Lord Matthew34 Mad Yakker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: La Mesa Posts: 38	Great idea!! I work at Dixieline if anybody wants a deal on plungers

10-12-2008, 08:46 PM	#13
dorf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 279	Multi tasking at it's finest. __________________ Don't try to confuse me with facts! I hereby reject your reality and submit my own.