Loading my bike

[Zen]

I'd kayak more if I had a kayak!

me too

[Bad JuJu]

Tuckervill, you need a Hullavator for your Element! Best kayak carrying system around. It comes down to the side of the car, put the kayak in, and it lifts it up to the roof.

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.as...d=10&sku=897XT

Ooh, ooh, I want that! I'm a short woman with a tall vehicle and a 50-lb. boat--I neeeeeeed a Hullavator.

Tulip, thanks for turning me on to something else to spend money on.

[B.Away]

What's the distance you need to make up?
That is...what's the difference b/t the top tube and the arms of your Saris Rack?

Also..Are you handy? Do you have anyone in your life who is handy with a drill and/or saw? You could probably make something with a few 2" by 4"s. It wouldn't have to be pretty...just useful.

But if the distance is excessive b/t the bike and the arms, you'd have to build a loooong ramp to get the bike up close to the rack (handy would come in for building joints that would fold/unfold for storage). Otherwise, you'd have to do SOME lifting.

Hi, 7rider, I checked the distance I need to make up and envision a loading assist something like this: The flat surface across the back of my car should be about 55 in. long and 20 to 22 in. high. Attached or hinged from it would be a ramp to the side which would let me run my bike up on the platform (flat) and then I could easily lift it the remaining 3 to 4 in. into the bike rack. The device would need some kind of legs and the surface and ramp need to be only wide enough to accommodate the bike tire. I actually looked at steel fence posts at Menard's which have the correct width and a "trough" so the bike would not run off the rail. I would need to balance the bike -- it need not stand alone. Sounds like a project for a person with tools and some kind of skill for this kind of thing. Possibly it could be patented!! Thanks for your interest 7rider. B.Away

[B.Away]

Hey! I have a great solution! Buy a new bike that only weighs 20 pounds. Problem solved!

Just joking around. The other ladies had great advice though.

I love this solution. Doubt that I can make it happen. B.Away

[7rider]

Sounds like a project for a person with tools and some kind of skill for this kind of thing. Possibly it could be patented!! Thanks for your interest 7rider. B.Away

If you come up with something, be sure to take a picture of it and show us!