[PopThinks]

I'm looking for a way to carry a kayak 2 miles through my residential neighborhood to our boat ramp on/partially in my 2021 BMW X5. I have a lot of difficulty lifting a kayak over my head and onto a roof rack due to my advanced age. Any ideas?

[charlie fairmont]

Do you have a trailer hitch? A hitch extender could work (assuming there are no nannies that keep our cars from being driven with the back hatch open) or a cheap utility trailer from harbor freight might work. Purpose built kayak trailers can actually be found for not too much, especially if you go used. There are also roof racks that fold down the side of the car.

[mscot]

Is this a once a season thing or an every time you want to use the kayak thing?

[starlights]

Originally Posted by PopThinks

I'm looking for a way to carry a kayak 2 miles through my residential neighborhood to our boat ramp on/partially in my 2021 BMW X5. I have a lot of difficulty lifting a kayak over my head and onto a roof rack due to my advanced age. Any ideas?

Great question and an issues I have been grappling with lately as well. I had an F10 that I used in the past. Being lower I could manage to get my 80 lbs kayak onto its roof but G05 is much taller. I will be watching this thread for ideas.

I like the idea of Hitch extender (I have factory hitch) but then the main question would be, is G05 drivable with back open? The second difference is that F10 could be loaded inside my Garage but I cannot load the Kayak onto the G05 inside the garage because of increased height with Kayak loaded (doesn't clear the garage opening) - else I would have devised a fully system that would have helped some while loading at home (but not at the lake).

Another Idea I looked at, but passed upon since my current Thule roof racks don't extend out is the Thule Kayak lift:

I have been dabbling with the idea of getting a super light sit in kayak that may be easy to handle and stop using my current sit on fishing kayak.

[BlkGS]

Kayak trailer for sure

[charlie fairmont]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Kayak trailer for sure

Operationally, this is the best answer. Kayaks are heavy, require a decent amount of gear, are typically used in hot environments, and force you to exercise while using them. If all of the work before, during and after is too strenuous, you'll end up using them two or three times and then they'll sit and clog up your garage. The trailer is the easiest way to load and unload, wash, and transport them. The question is whether or not you have space to store the trailer. If you do, go that route.

[starlights]

Originally Posted by charlie fairmont

The question is whether or not you have space to store the trailer

This may be the dealbreaker for many including me

[BlkGS]

You either need space for a trailer, a truck bed long enough to hold them, or to be able to lift kayaks onto the roof.