> ...We got a 4Runner. When my wife and I went to pick up my > new QCC 600 kayak from the terminal, the two of us had problems > getting it on the rack. We're both a little over 5'6" and we had a > heck of a time loading and unloading. Since she doesn't kayak I'm > really concerned if I'll be able to do this by myself. ...> Hi Rod, While I do have a couple trailers that I haul multiple kayaks on for shuttles, etc (one is homebuilt racks over a steel-deck trailer, another is unauthorized rain gutter clips on a pop-up tent trailer), I have another comment... Before you think trailer, try a couple loading options onto your 4Runner first. I have a QCC 600, am 5'7 (and not terribly macho) and routinely load the thing by myself onto my wagon. One thing - it's a LOT easier loading the boat once you unpack it! Loading the box onto my car was indeed an experience. I put a carpet piece behind the car, rest the stern on it, and lever the bow onto the rear glides (I use thule glides but the Yakima rollers work as well). Then I pick up the stern and slide it into place. This works for any vehicle that you can get the rear bar far enough back. To make it even easier, you can get a bar extender for the rear bar as a place to rest the bow while you're loading. I can actually load it w/o using the stern rest _before_ the paddle, but after, well, I use the carpet. This is way more convenient that hooking up a trailer, IMHO. enjoy your QCC Jennifer *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> I put a carpet piece behind the car, rest the stern on it, and lever > the bow onto the rear glides (I use thule glides but the Yakima rollers > work as well). Then I pick up the stern and slide it into place. This > works for any vehicle that you can get the rear bar far enough back. > To make it even easier, you can get a bar extender for the rear bar as > a place to rest the bow while you're loading. Bar extender is really worth trying, on any vehicle. I've got sedan, so can't push my plastic Prijon straight from rear (58 lbs). But with extention bar (at the driver's seat) I align kayk along the side of the car, lift the bow first, then goes the stern. I'm using Thule rack with saddles in front and rollers at rear bar, though in my case I could use saddles on rear bar as well. Just remove plasic end cap, and shove extention rod in. I've bough a 3ft steel rod for $ 6 at Home Depot and wrapped some felt around half of its length; you may buy "extention bar" from Yakima or Thule as well. What I can't figure out, is how much weight I'm lifting at thew stern, when the bow is already on the bar. Should be a little less then full 58 lbs, but more than half-weight, because the bow is higher at the initial stage of stern lifting, or am I wrong? Alex. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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