Homemade Kayak Loader using PVC pipes and Suction Cups

twiceayear · Post by **twiceayear** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:06 pm

Here is an idea for someone like me who lacks strength, height and youth to load your kayak on top of your car.

This whole setup costs less than $20.00 which is a lot less than the two rear view mirrors I had to replace when I dropped my kayak and sheared off one of them.

It's made from a 4-cup suction cup from Harbor Freight, PVC and used tennis balls.

In the middle of cutting the unit into two.

Optional tennis ball. I image you can use pool noodles also.

Dry fit before gluing

Ready to test for the first time.

Let's go to the video and see it in action

davewave12 · Post by **davewave12** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:14 pm

Wow that looks like a great idea, and very creative to boot. I will keep it in mind when I can no longer clean and jerk my layak onto my F-150

Shell Pad · Post by **Shell Pad** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:29 pm

Wow! What a great idea.

freespool · Post by **freespool** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:43 pm

great idea. I could have used that before taking off the mirror on my 4runner, or the many times it has slid down the back and side. The back hatch and sides of my 4runner look like someone took a belt sander to it. it may be to late for me, but thanks for trying to save the others.

Mythman · Post by **Mythman** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:59 pm

Super idea, design and product!!!

Kingz · Post by **Kingz** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:11 pm

What a great idea, should help alot of people here...Thanks...G

treysdaddy · Post by **treysdaddy** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:10 pm

Really cool. What a great idea! Now I get to make a trip to harbor freight. I'd like to see if i could adapt it to get my yak on top of my pathfinder.

J-Man · Post by **J-Man** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:49 pm

Sweet idea! I'm going to go buy me one of those this week. Thanks!

Fin-Addict · Post by **Fin-Addict** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:50 pm

Damn dude, you could probably sell those
Freakin Genius :lol:

twiceayear · Post by **twiceayear** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:55 pm

treysdaddy wrote:Really cool. What a great idea! Now I get to make a trip to harbor freight. I'd like to see if i could adapt it to get my yak on top of my pathfinder.

When I bought it, I called the store off 290 and they said this item is an "internet" item only so I had to order it online. Don't know if the same situation exists. You might want to do the same. It's a long drive for me.

RPB · Post by **RPB** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:41 pm

scuppersancho wrote:Damn dude, you could probably sell those
Freakin Genius

I agree, I'd buy one from you in a heartbeat, you just solved the the reason I don't go more often.

I'll just have to make one now

The item number on that suction cup is ITEM 2659-1VGA

twiceayear · Post by **twiceayear** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:54 pm

RPB wrote:
scuppersancho wrote:Damn dude, you could probably sell those
Freakin Genius

I agree, I'd buy one from you in a heartbeat, you just solved the the reason I don't go more often.

I'll just have to make one now

The item number on that suction cup is ITEM 2659-1VGA

Thanks, glad the idea help. I had to do this. My close-to 50 years old body is starting to break down. Back surgery, shoulder surgery, now scheduled for another shoulder surgery on the other side. It's depressing that even your heart is in it but the equipment keeps breaking down.

A note of warning: the suction cup handle is a tiny bit smaller than the inside diameter of the PVC so put a lot of PVC glue on both sides and let them sit for close to a minute to let both side get gooie before you join them. I also let it cure for a full day before actually put weight on it. I thought about shim it up with something but went without it.

Can I sell them? Yes may be I will try to Ebay one just to see. I hate that between Ebay and Paypal, the fees are just eating up all your profit.

Just Fish · Post by **Just Fish** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:59 pm

I see a new product in the future. Great idea you had.

J-Man · Post by **J-Man** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:34 pm

A note of warning: the suction cup handle is a tiny bit smaller than the inside diameter of the PVC so put a lot of PVC glue on both sides and let them sit for close to a minute to let both side get gooie before you join them. I also let it cure for a full day before actually put weight on it. I thought about shim it up with something but went without it.

You might actually put some PVC glue on there, then wrap teflon tape around that, then put more pvc glue, building up layers, then the actual pvc pipe. I used that technique before in the aquarium industry and it always worked for me.

twiceayear · Post by **twiceayear** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:43 am

J-Man wrote:You might actually put some PVC glue on there, then wrap teflon tape around that, then put more pvc glue, building up layers, then the actual pvc pipe. I used that technique before in the aquarium industry and it always worked for me.

Thanks a lot J-Man. That's good information. I really appreciate that insider info you shared.

The Rob · Post by **The Rob** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:09 am

That is a cool idea. I have a Tacoma and my son destroyed one of the foam blocks and lost another. You think I could use these in place of the foam blocks?

Fodder4U · Post by **Fodder4U** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:48 am

Another idea would be to cut short tubes of PVC to insert into the tennis balls and then slide the whole thing into the PVC arms thus allowing the tennis balls to roll. Make sense?

Mr23779 · Post by **Mr23779** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:48 pm

Freakin' genius idea!

twiceayear · Post by **twiceayear** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:52 pm

The Rob wrote:That is a cool idea. I have a Tacoma and my son destroyed one of the foam blocks and lost another. You think I could use these in place of the foam blocks?

First, that's one pretty ride you have there. Wish I have one.

The loader was meant to act as a ramp only, not to bear weight like a rack which is what the foam blocks do. I would not recommend using it that way.

Fodder4U wrote:Another idea would be to cut short tubes of PVC to insert into the tennis balls and then slide the whole thing into the PVC arms thus allowing the tennis balls to roll. Make sense?

Absolutely, actually the balls are kinda in that setup already because of the T-connection and the 45 degree connection acting like the big PVC you are mentioning. Right now they don't freely roll because I cut the holes a little too small so they are really tight.

I was somewhat surprise how little effort it took to push/slide the P15 onto the roof. That clip on the video was the third time I push that kayak over the loader.

Backwater Drifter · Post by **Backwater Drifter** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:16 am

Mr23779 wrote:Freakin' genius idea!

I agree great stuff!

bk9824 · Post by **bk9824** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:18 pm

Can't find the 4-cup device on harbor freight anymore... did a search for the item number to no avail...

any ideas on a lead where to get one of those suckers?

finfisher · Post by **finfisher** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:41 pm

BRILLIANT !!!
You got something there

bk9824 · Post by **bk9824** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:28 pm

Did some searching (much more than anticipated) and found this link since the quad cup product isn't to be found on Harbor's website.

http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?ca ... ampaign=sf

RPB · Post by **RPB** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:13 am

Google
2659-0VGA

DesertDog11B · Post by **DesertDog11B** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 5:22 pm

That's one hell of an idea!