My 5' 3" daughter can get the kayak to the top of the load assist module, but (with a stool) can't easily get it into the J autoloader. Ideas?
1311601
The cradles will easily catch and hold the kayak. I suggest to aggressively push and flip the kayak up. I think she will be surprised at how a simple it flips into place once the move is mastered. Maybe a friend can stand beside her for assurance the first time or two to ease her fears of damaging kayak. I also own a kayak trailer and it is great for trips but reduced speed limits and inconveious of parking and backing is not for everyone. I own fiberglass and plastic kayaks and all get flipped into cradles and in the waters. Last idea is to switch out to cradles with rollers. Load from rear and push / roll forward into cradles. I see these used by females more than auto loaders. Hope I was able to help. The cradles will easily catch and hold the kayak. I suggest to aggressively push and flip the kayak up. I think she will be surprised at how a simple it flips into place once the move is mastered. Maybe a friend can stand beside her for assurance the first time or two to ease her fears of damaging kayak. I also own a kayak trailer and it is great for trips but reduced speed limits and inconveious of parking and backing is not for everyone. I own fiberglass and plastic kayaks and all get flipped into cradles and in the waters. Last idea is to switch out to cradles with rollers. Load from... » Read More The cradles will easily catch and hold the kayak. I suggest to aggressively push and flip the kayak up. I think she will be surprised at how a simple it flips into place once the move is mastered. Maybe a friend can stand beside her for assurance the first time or two to ease her fears of damaging kayak. I also own a kayak trailer and it is great for trips but reduced speed limits and inconveious of parking and backing is not for everyone. I own fiberglass and plastic kayaks and all get flipped into cradles and in the waters. Last idea is to switch out to cradles with rollers. Load from rear and push / roll forward into cradles. I see these used by females more than auto loaders. Hope I was able to help. « Show Less
1311602
I returned the product because it is junk. I went with the Yakima saddle with load assist bar. Better system.
1311603
My wife is 5'1" and also has a little trouble getting the kayaks on and off, but I got her a small step latter and it made it easier to do.
1311604
I'm not sure. Perhaps try a trailer to avoid the lifting? But this isn't much of an answer for the Telos.
1311605
My wife is also 5"3" and it's tough for her to push it up from the load assist in to the J cradles. For our boats, we found it works a little easier to start with the cockpit facing inward and the roll the boat on to the J autoloader so that the cockpit ends up facing out when in the final position. She has to use a step stool to reach that high.
986485
It should be in the directions. Top hoop, over the kayak, fasten to the bottom hoop.
612538
User error. I had committed the same error. The skegs on the bottom must be in the rear of the kayak. In my maiden voyage I was thinking, "geez, this thing won't go straight. It sucks." Got out, looked underneath, and realized I had placed the seats in backwards: the skegs were facing forward. I turned the seats around and went back out. Worked like a charm and tracked straight and true.
2282782
It can be a bit tricky. But once you get it figured out it will be a breeze. Lets see if i can help. First off make sure you have the rope and pulleys set up correctly. Look at the photo on the package, it helped me as i got mine all messed up. It also works best with a load on it. Hard to lock and unlock with out a load. With some weight on it you should be able to pull up on rope, when you want to lock it just pull into narrow groove on locking pulley bar. the bar will then raise up and lock. To release pull down on rope and slowly lower load while you keep rope in locking bar in the larger part of bar. It works best for me to keep pulley and hoisting rope facing the same direction. If you are at an angle or off set, it wants to lock. Built in safety feature i guess. I use one of these for a deer hanger and i also use two for hoisting my kayak up to the ceiling for storage. Just practice a little with some weight on it and watch how it all works together. You will get it.. Hope this helps
1601214
Push the seat vertically and use the tie to pull up the hinged legs. Suggest a bungie cord to keep legs together when folded. You can do without it when you're used to taking it in and out. I just keep forgetting to put one in the car! Don't forget that this walker is steel. It is MUCH heavier than the aluminum rollators. Transverse Myelitis has left lasting paralysis in my lower body, but strength training exercises have given me stronger arms. I have no problem loading it in and out, but my 76 year old mom does... and she has to do the driving ha.If you do the team effort deal as well then you should be okay. If you're frail or do not have some upper body strength to haul it in and out of the trunk or back seat then I wouldn't recommend it. This thing can't be beat for balance control and the aluminum models just don't cut it. Hope this help!
461685
Get a 2X4 the length of your kayak's width. Cut multiple slots in it and run the straps through. More slots you cut more loops you can make. Make the farthest slots the width of your kayak. The two slots near center where straps exit should be 5 inch apart. Shopped HomeDepot for something ready made. Shelving ,grills. Don't trust those wire weldings. Keep the strap around kayak loosely so you can get the straps on and off easily.I received my hoist this week. Install is a cinch if you follow youtube video for a competitor brand. The ropes are low quality. Easily frayed. Get a 2X4 the length of your kayak's width. Cut multiple slots in it and run the straps through. More slots you cut more loops you can make. Make the farthest slots the width of your kayak. The two slots near center where straps exit should be 5 inch apart. Shopped HomeDepot for something ready made. Shelving ,grills. Don't trust those wire weldings. Keep the strap around kayak loosely so you can get the straps on and off easily.I received my hoist this week. Install is a cinch if you follow youtube video for a competitor brand. The ropes are low quality.... » Read More Get a 2X4 the length of your kayak's width. Cut multiple slots in it and run the straps through. More slots you cut more loops you can make. Make the farthest slots the width of your kayak. The two slots near center where straps exit should be 5 inch apart. Shopped HomeDepot for something ready made. Shelving ,grills. Don't trust those wire weldings. Keep the strap around kayak loosely so you can get the straps on and off easily.I received my hoist this week. Install is a cinch if you follow youtube video for a competitor brand. The ropes are low quality. Easily frayed. « Show Less
1168907
Hey Rich- what I'll do is rollover the canoe with the backend clear and simply set the carriage on the bottom upside down, then cinch it down, flip it over & ur ready to go. Its important to get the strap over something like a tie down or notch in the kayak so it doesn't slip off. I have mine balances well enough my kids can jump in it when I'm wheeling it to the beach. Happy canoeing!� Brad
1304415
I find the height adjustment VERY difficult to move and I am a very large strong man fyi Something must be broken on this or the manual is as bad as I believe in describing this as its just simply not fluidly doing it without me exerting extreme force. ... even then I cant seem to raise it to the top 3 levels. I can only lower it by pushing down extremely hard. Something has to be wrong here ... operator issues (machine seems to be smarter than me ) are a possibilty but ....I doubt it. Thoughts or help ?!?
967511
You must have larger walker legs than I do. I need to pound mine in with a hammer. No idea what you should do.....sorry. gnn
986486
I place the kayak in the racks facing out. I run the straps over the top of the j-rack first with the buckle in the middle area of the kayak. The straps come down the kayak sides that are facing outward and loop over the bottom of the j-rack. I then connect the strap to the buckle and tighten. Let me know if that makes sense.
721923
Mine was hard to keep straight as well. I no longer have it but one of the things I was going to do was to reposition the front skirt by removing it and inflting the boat and then put it back to make sure it was level. Try that and it might fix your problem.
1019464
JohnI am 200lbs at the same height; I think the Riot will work but not too sure where the water line will be on the kayak. Might suggest looking at other kayaks that are wider such as a Hobie pro 36" wide.
1624313
I have the same problem. I've adjust every way I can think of but the steps only go up and down a couple of inches. I hope someone comes up with a solution.
85834
very difficult to load a 70 lb kayak on a high suv. my kayak weighed approx 75 lbs. and had a lot of difficulty. after few tries, i returned it to amazon and bit the bullet and purchased the hulavator from thule. what a huge difference.
2058426
Had the same problem...you have to push the small gray button on the bottom up, while at the same time sliding the compartment open to the side. Hope this helps!
428138
Yes - in my opinion, this would work fine BUT you really need to secure your kayak well to the cart - I find the best success of toting my 11 footer is by securing the cart to the middle of the kayak rather than the opposite end you are pulling - good luck!!
122330
Yes, you need to adjust how much the screw sticks out, the ultimate loader is cheap, buy a second one, that way you don't need to adjust