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Homemade Kayak Loader using PVC pipes and Suction Cups

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:06 pm
by twiceayear
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.

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In the middle of cutting the unit into two.


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


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Dry fit before gluing


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Ready to test for the first time.


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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:14 pm
by davewave12
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

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:29 pm
by Shell Pad
Wow! What a great idea.

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:43 pm
by freespool
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.

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:59 pm
by Mythman
Super idea, design and product!!!

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:11 pm
by Kingz
What a great idea, should help alot of people here...Thanks...G

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:10 pm
by treysdaddy
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.

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:49 pm
by J-Man
Sweet idea! I'm going to go buy me one of those this week. Thanks!

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:50 pm
by Fin-Addict
Damn dude, you could probably sell those
Freakin Genius :lol:

Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:55 pm
by twiceayear
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.

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:41 pm
by RPB
scuppersancho wrote:Damn dude, you could probably sell those
Freakin Genius :lol:
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

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:54 pm
by twiceayear
RPB wrote:
scuppersancho wrote:Damn dude, you could probably sell those
Freakin Genius :lol:
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.

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:59 pm
by Just Fish
I see a new product in the future. Great idea you had.

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:34 pm
by J-Man
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.

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:43 am
by twiceayear
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.

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:09 am
by The Rob
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?

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:48 am
by Fodder4U
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?

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:48 pm
by Mr23779
Freakin' genius idea!

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:52 pm
by twiceayear
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.

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:16 am
by Backwater Drifter
Mr23779 wrote:Freakin' genius idea!
I agree great stuff! :D

Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:18 pm
by bk9824
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?

Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:41 pm
by finfisher
:idea:
BRILLIANT !!!
You got something there

Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:28 pm
by bk9824
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

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:13 am
by RPB
Google
2659-0VGA

Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 5:22 pm
by DesertDog11B
That's one hell of an idea! :D