Any easy way to do it?Thanks Red

Yes. Get some young buck to put it up there for you. I have considered tying my kayak to the ladder on the back of the rig, but it's 14'6" so that's not really an option. If it was short enough that's what I'd do.

Not real easy, but I can get my canoe up there. Mount a roller or bar along the back edge of the camper. Lean the canoe or kayak on the bar, then get on top and pull it up, pivoting it on the bar. Reverse the procedure to get it down. Kind of scary, standing on top and wrestling a canoe, but I haven't found a better way.

How tall is your camper? When I had a popup I used a "Boat Loader" extension from Yakima that allowed me to rest one end of a kayak against it and then lift the other end up to the roof by stepping up onto a footstool - the popup roof was only about 8 feet above the ground though. When I switched to a 10 foot tall hardside I found that that method no longer worked. I did find it pretty easy to lean the boat against the front of the camper and then go up on the roof and pull it up, using an old towel between the boat and the camper. The slope of the camper front makes it easier than pulling it up from the rear. After receiving Dr.'s orders to refrain from lifting more than 20 pounds I bought a Yakima Rack and Roll trailer - pricey but it works well - I back down boat ramps and launch and retrieve right from the trailer - no lifting involved. I have a trip coming up next week that will require that I use the roof rack on the camper for my kayak as I will be pulling a different trailer. For that I have come up with a possible alternative method of lifting the boat but as I haven't actually tried it yet I won't describe it here. If it works out well I'll post a report later.

I know it's not the answer you were looking for, but we just towed a trailer with the canoes. Way easier than trying to fight that particular battle.

Getting a kayak on top of a truck camper???? | Good Sam Community

crosscheck
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2013
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
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
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
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
Didn't see the comments on page 2. Guy ideas,, thanks y'all.
el_Rojo
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
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
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
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
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
Maybe this is a better solution.

Link
RV_daytrader
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
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
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
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
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
Hodag1 wrote:
See Whazoo's posts on the subject

Link?
dadwolf2
Explorer
Aug 28, 2013
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.