Loading a Tandem Kayak

Hi folks. Just bought two tandem Kayaks and thinking about adding a roof rack to my truck cap (camper shell). Thule hull a port is what I'm thinking about using....https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/sport-rack/kayak-roof-racks/thule-hull-a-port-_-1636655

Question: For those of you with tandem kayaks on your truck cap, what is the best method for loading these big heavy things? It will just be me and the wife, my two boys are a bit young to help.

Adam

 

Sounds like a lot of work. I recently saw an awesome camping trailer setup that had two kayak racks on it. I would go with something like that instead of having to rely on someone to help you load/unload all the time.

 

I use one of these for construction work but, know some folks who use this for longer boats. Might work for you

 

Thanks but we're trying to combine hobbies. we want to tow a camper so putting them up top is about our only option.

 

Can you mount one carrier far enough back so that you can put one end of the kayak on it and then slide it forward to the other carrier? You may need something in between the two carriers to let it slide forward without scratching the top of the camper shell. A pair of carriers that allow the kayak to sit flat on it's bottom might be easier to load this way.

Something like the Yakima ShowDown might work.

 

We used to do this with our old Trooper all the time and it's never fun. Bottom line is tandems are pretty heavy and awkward to handle.

The easiest way for us was two people loading from the side. One person on each end of the yak and just hoist it up there and slide it toward the middle of the vehicle. There are crossbar extenders out there that will let you side load with one person also.

When I had to load them by myself, it was from the rear. Hoist one end up there and slowly work it forward on the rack. PITA. Doing this with your Tundra should be easier because you can stand on the tailgate.



I'd get a couple of these which should make loading from the rear a lot easier.


Edit: I'd take a look at @Geezer suggestion. Just looked it up and it's pretty darn slick.

 

Great suggestion on the Yakima showdon. Also stumbled on the Thule hullavator. I may be getting one of these systems.

 

https://www.yakima.com/boatloader-evo