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.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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.

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.

Dave Legacy · 06-04-2017, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

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.

Gonna do one of the narrow roof boxes? I have a Yakima Skybox 21 and when it's up there nothing else will fit next to it, but I'm also using factory crossbars which tend to be narrower than aftermarket. The Yakima Rocketpod looks good for your application.

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.

Mahigeer · 06-04-2017, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Legacy

Gonna do one of the narrow roof boxes? I have a Yakima Skybox 21 and when it's up there nothing else will fit next to it, but I'm also using factory crossbars which tend to be narrower than aftermarket. The Yakima Rocketpod looks good for your application.

Long ago, I got a soft roof carrier for a fishing trip to up north. I have not used it since!

And thanks for the tip about the Hullavator.

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?

Mahigeer · 06-04-2017, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHRED

Good to know. Thanks.

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

They need to be at leas 4"-6" past the side railing. This insures the Hullavator stays prod of the car body. That way the car is protected.

SHRED · 06-04-2017, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

They need to be at leas 4"-6" past the side railing. This insures the Hullavator stays prod of the car body. That way the car is protected.

Side railing?
Is that the foot mount that attaches to the vehicle?

Hunters Pa · 06-04-2017, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

They need to be at leas 4"-6" past the side railing. This insures the Hullavator stays prod of the car body. That way the car is protected.

Couldn't you use the hullivator to get the yak to the roof, move it to a rack, then use the hullivator again for a second yak?

Dave Legacy · 06-04-2017, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

Long ago, I got a soft roof carrier for a fishing trip to up north. I have not used it since!

And thanks for the tip about the Hullavator.

I'm glad to have been helpful. =)

Mahigeer · 06-05-2017, 05:50 AM

Rather than me trying to paint a picture, I recommend to check out YouTube for many posts.

Since the kayak sits in a clam style bracket, one unit per kayak. It can not be used only for lifting.

Thus, to have two kayaks, one would need two Hullavator. However, if a long enough cross bar is used, one set is all one needs.

Denis_Ruso · 06-05-2017, 07:44 AM

back seats folded down, hatch open and http://www.austinkayak.com/products/...FU1ufgodZCwOyw

JJ · 06-05-2017, 11:55 AM

I have a similar dilemma.
Trident Prowler 15 gets to be a handful when loading after a day on the water.

Here is something you might want to consider.
It's called Rhino Rack. Check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSeHSCfHniQ

Good luck. Regards.

-JJ-

Mahigeer · 06-05-2017, 03:14 PM

My problem with loading from the back was the fact that once I lifted the front and put it on the Yakima holder, then the kayak would slip back. The rear of the kayak would also be scraping on the concrete and get marked.
No place to grab either. Later I used a tarp or cardboard on the ground, and used the rear strap attached to the back handle to keep the kayak from slipping.

I even have a roller bar with suction cups that supposed to allow for ease of sliding of the kayak once parallel to the roof. After that it was going from side to side and using a step ladder to tie down the kayak and get on the hood to attach the front strap. Then repeat the same for unloading.

With Hullavator once kayak is lifted to waist high, and positioned on the holder, the kayak can be strapped and front and rear (provided) ratcheting straps can be attached. No step ladder necessary.

It seems the hardest part is to lift and lower the kayak waist high while holding the middle handles.

06-04-2017, 12:37 PM	#1
SHRED Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Encinitas (Leucadia), CA Posts: 94	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: 94	Thanks for the replies I gotta do something. I'd hate to ruin a fishing trip or worse by wrenching my back.

06-05-2017, 07:44 AM	#18
Denis_Ruso Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 571	back seats folded down, hatch open and http://www.austinkayak.com/products/...FU1ufgodZCwOyw __________________ 2018 Hobie Outback 13 I do not fear the storm as it will teach me how to sail my ship.

06-04-2017, 12:49 PM	#2
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,359	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: 1,891	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.

06-04-2017, 05:38 PM	#10
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.

06-05-2017, 05:50 AM	#17
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,891	Rather than me trying to paint a picture, I recommend to check out YouTube for many posts. Since the kayak sits in a clam style bracket, one unit per kayak. It can not be used only for lifting. Thus, to have two kayaks, one would need two Hullavator. However, if a long enough cross bar is used, one set is all one needs.

06-05-2017, 11:55 AM	#19
JJ Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 80	I have a similar dilemma. Trident Prowler 15 gets to be a handful when loading after a day on the water. Here is something you might want to consider. It's called Rhino Rack. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSeHSCfHniQ Good luck. Regards. -JJ-

06-05-2017, 03:14 PM	#20
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,891	My problem with loading from the back was the fact that once I lifted the front and put it on the Yakima holder, then the kayak would slip back. The rear of the kayak would also be scraping on the concrete and get marked. No place to grab either. Later I used a tarp or cardboard on the ground, and used the rear strap attached to the back handle to keep the kayak from slipping. I even have a roller bar with suction cups that supposed to allow for ease of sliding of the kayak once parallel to the roof. After that it was going from side to side and using a step ladder to tie down the kayak and get on the hood to attach the front strap. Then repeat the same for unloading. With Hullavator once kayak is lifted to waist high, and positioned on the holder, the kayak can be strapped and front and rear (provided) ratcheting straps can be attached. No step ladder necessary. It seems the hardest part is to lift and lower the kayak waist high while holding the middle handles.