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:
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/r...oaderparts.jpg

next a close up of the sophisticated suction cup system :
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/r...forsuction.jpg

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.

http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/r...randclamps.jpg

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.

http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/r...forcutting.jpg

The T junction after cutting with a hacksaw:
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/r...tercutting.jpg

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:
http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/r...Barinplace.jpg


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.

http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/r...ersideview.jpg


http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/r...oaderoncar.jpg

http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/r...rfromfront.jpg

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

Ingenious. Very nice work.

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

You got skillz !!!

Very clever.:sifone:

Nice original thinking and application! It has been awhile since I have seen such an original idea! :luxhello::luxhello: I wonder if I can spin off your idea to get my yak on top of my truck?:rolleyes::D

Creative innovation at is best! :cheers1:

Thanks for sharing.

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.

What a brilliant IDEA…
 

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.

"Go go gadget kayak rollers!"
http://www.plaidavenger.com/wp-conte...tor_gadget.jpg

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

Multi tasking at it's finest.:you_rock: