Getting a kayak on top of a truck camper????

[el_Rojo]

Any easy way to do it?

Thanks Red

[crosscheck]

We have been loading canoes on our TC,s for years and probably there are not a lot of differences between Kayaks and canoes when it comes to getting them up on the racks.
If the kayaks are short and you have a modern TC with a basement then it might be a problem to hoist them up from below because of the height of the TC. Better to haul them up for the roof.
If your kayaks are long( over 16') then slide them up the crossbar or end of TC, lift stern until as high as you can lift and with the rope that is on the end, gently lower bow onto front crossbar. Climb on roof and tie down with good straps.
Have been doing this with canoes that are 17 to 18.5' weighing 55 to 65 lbs for 30 years without a drop of sweat. Canoes and kayaks are built very light compared to 40 years ago.

Dave

[1stgenfarmboy]

We have a 13.5 tandem wilderness systems, it is 73lb empty, I usually stand it up and use the ladder for a (slide guild) and I get on top and pull and the wife pushes, it works fine, but I wouldn't want to do it everyday, we usually get to the camp site and take it off, then were there for a few days.

[el_Rojo]

Didn't see the comments on page 2. Guy ideas,, thanks y'all.

[el_Rojo]

JohninSD wrote:
Side Loader

Might try these guys - I talked to them a few years ago - price was pretty high but it looks like it might work nicely.

That's pretty cool. Might be able to make one.

Thanks

[JohninSD]

The vertical racks look like they'd be fine for short boats - they recommend no more than 10 foot kayaks for use with their rig on a truck camper. My boats range from 17 to 22 feet so it wouldn't work for me. I wonder how they affect drag and thus gas mileage?

[kawa900stx]

Maybe this is a better solution.

Link

[RV_daytrader]

Our kayaks only weigh about 38 pounds...I lean my telescoping ladder against the side of our class C and slide the kayaks up and down the ladder...works well with lighter kayaks.

[kawa900stx]

JohninSD wrote:
Side Loader

Might try these guys - I talked to them a few years ago - price was pretty high but it looks like it might work nicely.

something cheaper may be a Hullivator from Thule. Just not sure of it would drop down enough depending on how high your set up it. Also would need the racks and bars installed on top.

[camperpaul]

Hodag1 wrote:
See Whazoo's posts on the subject

Link?

[dadwolf2]

JohninSD wrote:
Side Loader

Might try these guys - I talked to them a few years ago - price was pretty high but it looks like it might work nicely.

Wow, that's impressive...don't think I even want to know how much that costs.

[MKish]

We got one of the Sea Eagle inflatables. It was surprisingly not bad! Of course, it couldn't think about keeping up with the 19 foot canoe that goes on the camper roof. We get the canoe up by leaning it against the back of the camper (with the end on a mat to reduce slipping and damage), then someone climbs up and pulls it into position while the person on the ground guides it and says unhelpful things like "you got it? I can't reach it!".

We have a popup camper so it's easier. And because we wanted to be able to pop it up while loaded we got a lightweight canoe so it's even easier.

If you haven't purchased yet, perhaps a canoe would be easier to load than a kayak. I don't KNOW but I think they tend to be lighter and longer (if you buy a light and long one--mine is 50 lbs and holds 4 humans and a big fat dog).

Will you have two people loading? You probably at least want someone on the ground to hold it steady.

[Hodag1]

See Whazoo's posts on the subject

[JohninSD]

Side Loader

Might try these guys - I talked to them a few years ago - price was pretty high but it looks like it might work nicely.

[el_Rojo]

Thanks y'all. I was wondering if anybody made a hoist/lift etc. I've also considered a inflatable from Sea Eagle.