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This side loader lets you easily load a kayak, ladder, or other gear on your roof rack without assistance. Padding protects your boat and vehicle. Accommodates vehicles of different heights. Easy, clamp-on installation to most crossbars.
Features:
Specs:
The Rhino-Rack universal side loader makes it easy for one person to load a kayak, canoe, surfboard, ladder, or other gear onto a vehicle's roof rack. A padded bar extends past the side of your vehicle and holds one end of your load up so you can pivot the other end onto your vehicle's roof. This eliminates the need for a second pair of hands while loading your gear. A telescoping pole helps accommodate for uneven terrain and adds support for heavier loads.
Quick and Easy Installation
This crossbar extension easily clamps onto most crossbars without the use of tools, and it can be installed on either side of your vehicle. Simply place the first clamp against the bottom of your crossbar and rotate the extension around so the second clamp can grab the top. Once it's secure, you're ready to load your gear.
Simple, 1-Person Loading
To load your boat from the back of your vehicle, simply lean your boat or ladder against the extension at a 45-degree angle. The padded bar protects your boat from scratches and scuffs during the entire loading process.
Next, lift the rear end of the boat up so that it's level with your roof rack and set it on your vehicle's rear crossbar.
Finally, use the back end of the boat to lift the front end and pivot it into place on your vehicle's front crossbar. Once it's in place, secure your load with tie-down straps (sold separately).
Convenient Storage
After you've loaded and secured your boat, disconnect the side loader from your crossbars. Once disconnected, store the Side Loader in the included storage and carry bag.
Average Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (112 Customer Reviews)
This side loader lets you easily load a kayak, ladder, or other gear on your roof rack without assistance. Padding protects your boat and vehicle. Accommodates vehicles of different heights. Easy, clamp-on installation to most crossbars.I've only used this a few times. I have a truck I use to transport my kayak most of the time. But it works very well. My kayak is kind of large (Hobie Compass fishing kayak) - maybe wider than most and Hobie says it should be transported and stored upside down to minimize distortion, so it needs to be flipped over to be on the rack. I've been flipping it on the Load Assist and it's a little tight because of the width, but it works fine with proper attention. I could also flip it before putting on the load assist, but I haven't worked that out yet. It easily supports the weight and is simple to install and remove. One thing I wanted to add - I've seen many complaints that the support pole doesn't work well. I found that when properly tightened it would support my weight - I weigh about 220. I also found that the "tighten-Loosen" labels on the pole sections are confusing. They refer to the section above the section where the label is stuck, not to that section, so it's easy to turn the poles in the wrong direction, loosening when you've meant to tighten. Labeling could be clearer.
This works extremely well for loading large items onto my roof rack. I use it for loading my kayak, canoe, and a fishing rod storage box. I am able to load these items by myself using this load assist. I will update the review when i can take pictures.
I am 66 years old an knew I would have difficulty lifting my kayaks onto the roof of my vehicle. I knew that this loading accessory was not built for J style kayak holders, but thought that I could try to fit it anyway. The loader comes its several clamp types and I found that if I used clamps 1 and 2 instead to the 3 and 4 it called for in the directions for the Euro style roof rack that the system fit perfectly with the J Style carriers. How great is that! Loaded up my kayaks today with no problem. Great item.
Exactly what I needed to help me put my kayak on the roof when doing it alone and compact enough to easily throw in the car.
This load assist was very easy to set up and functional. Rhino needs to update their fit list to include newer bars from other companies but it works great on my application.
It does work. My kayak is 120lbs. So, I placed the upright inside a PVC pipe to strength it. For a large kayak, make sure that you are pointing it toward the car. My kayak fell one time - my mistake.
I've used etrailer for a number of purchases. Their website is excellent, it's easy to find what I need and they have great prices. The products they sell are high quality. I always get what I need and shipping is fast. They are an excellent outfit!
Just what I needed to load my 55 pound kayak by myself onto my Rhino-Rack Aero cross bars. Of note I have some older Thule J bars that were given to me. Unfortunately the bolts securing the J bars don't allow me to attach the load assist bar. No harm done will just load kayak directly onto the cross bars.
Robert
5/26/2023
Rhino Rack Aero cross bars with the universal load Assist is all I need to loadunload the kayak by myself. Both products are as advertised and would recomend both.
I used to throw my canoe around and on top cars but as I got older and cars got taller it made using the canoe much less enjoyable. I used this rack every day in September of last year and several times after. It’s simple and makes it much easier to load and unload without too much effort. It was a great recommendation by the folks at eTrailer!
Got my gorilla assist deliver quickly. Was really good quality and it allows me to easily load my kayak myself into roof. Very pleased with the service
Sharon
8/4/2023
I’m still using this and as a woman loading myself and going to meet friends kayaking , it has been a Godsend
The support bar that came with this didn't work right out of the box. The top third section extension does not lock out so it's way too short to be usable. I may try to rig something myself to support the end of the load assist as my kayak is heavy and I'm hesitant to try loading it without the support pole.
We are thrilled with how easily we can now load and unload our kayaks! Wahooo!
Works well
Be informed before buying this. If you have kayak holders on your crossbars, they will interfere with this, especially with aero bars where the crossbar bracket will not work well on the driver side. Also, if you have two kayaks the holder for the second kayak will interfere with the loader.
The only really viable solution is to use foam blocks for one or two kayaks. The review video tellingly shows only bare crossbars and makes no mention of holders.
Mine are being returned.
Another user did post a photo showing one set of J racks mounted backwards. A very awkward mounting that requires reaching all the way across the vehicle roof to tighten all th straps!
Heather A.
4/13/2018
I contacted rhino rack and they state you can use the j-cradles with this load assist but you will have to lift the kayak over the cradle to get it secure.
This product is made of good/solid raw materials, and is worth the money. I looked at other similar products, but they lacked the left, and length I needed to properly load my Perception Pilot kayak onto my flush mount roof rack. The upright support bar is necessary to prevent overloading the bar or the crossbar of your roof rack.
Jeffrey
5/17/2019
Still going strong.
Just what I needed to load our sit-on-top kayak onto our Prius. Even works well for the heavier sit-in kayak which has a keel if there's someone to steady it until I lever it over onto foam pads. Not as young as I used to be (now 70) so this makes life much easier.
Kath
1/16/2023
Still very happy with the canoe assist. It really takes the strain out of getting the boats on top of the car.
I have a full RhinoRack Aerobar Rack with Kayak Saddles for carrying my fishing kayak on Ford Fusion Hatchback. The kayak weighs over 65 pounds alone so even though it is small car, it is quite a wrestling match to get it on top. The Universal Load Assist makes it much easier to load the kayak from the off side and then maneuver it into the saddles. The only additional trick is I use a rope from the rear car wheel to the bow of the kayak to keep it from sliding forward while I am lifting the rear of the kayak to the Load Bar. I load stern first to protect the rudder on my kayak. This setup seems to work about as easy as possible without going the next step to some of the very expensive side loader systems. All the RhinoRack stuff is top notch and the Load Assist is also.
This product attempts to be "one size fits all." Unfortunately, that means some cartop racks like my 2007 Toyota 4Runner doesn't allow for a snug fit for the horizontal bar of the RR-RUSL. It moves a bit and scratches the paint on my car's roof. I transport a Hobie fishing kayak that is a bit on the heavy side, so the side of my car got scratches on it as I put the kayak on and off the roof rack. I should've used some blankets to protect my car's finish as I do now, but the damage has already been done. If you want to protect your car's finish, I suggest using a couple of yoga rugs to protect your roof and side of your car.
Gary Z.
6/24/2018
After one year using this product, I’ve come to the conclusion that a light trailer is the better solution to transporting heavier kayaks like the Hobie Fishing Kayak. I have yet to purchase a light weight trailer, but am actively looking for one that is sturdy and can break down to a smaller size for storage.
Rachael H.
6/25/2018
Helpful Links
Outstanding customer service!
This loader works really well. I can easily load and unload my kayak by myself.
I should have read the negative reviews sooner. Does not work if you have anything mounted to the cross bar. This makes no sense as most smart people have some type of craddle system…. Will be returning as it’s useless to me…… and dont call it universal
The supporting/ telescoping pole is useless and cross threads easily. If you have any attachments on your roof rack, these will probably not work. They were designed to be used without attachments on the rack. Rhino rack will not stand by their products. I bought 2 of these and they are pretty useless. Check the reviews on these on other websites. I won’t buy from the manufacturer again.
Mike L.
4/11/2019
The load assist is covered by a 3 year warranty. Please contact our Customer Service folks at 800-298-8924.
Product works as advertised. Good price and construction with of extension pole. The pole does not stay extended, does not seem damaged just poor construction. etrailer has been and still is a great place to shop for my RV needs. Friendly and has always answered every question fast and to my satisfaction.
Richard
1/25/2022
still works as advertised. Scratched up the extension pole a bit and now it stays extended while loading our kayaks.
The Rhino-Rack Universal Load Assist - Crossbar Mount is a great help to load and unload my 59 pound kayak onto my Yakima J-low racks by myself safely. It is good quality and definitely a great addition to my equipment.
The Rhino Rack side loading assist "works" as an extra arm for leverage regarding cartop carrying. My experience was mixed.
First, the extentending pole which supports the actual loading arm is poorly manufactured of thin aluminum and plastic for obvious cost savings (no fault of etrailer.com). The twist-lock mechanism in the pole has no "stop/lock" feature so you can keep turning the pole which causes the pole to collapse. This is only slightly annoying.
Next, placing the kayak against the loading padded arm appeared secure. The issue I had was not placing more than a third of my Ocean Malibu Two XL (68 lbs) against the extended arm. As I was adjusting the kayak it proceeded to slip off the arm, downwards, and slid to the ground scraping the side of my car.
Lastly, if you think a $150 item adds value to the experience by saving you some physical exertion reevaluating your needs is reasonable. However, the detailing bill I am to pay for the scratches on my car door will not justify this purchase.
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Condition: Like New
Notes: May have damaged packaging or minor cosmetic blemishes.
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Don C.
6/8/2024
It works great when used correctly. One mistake I made was to set the height on the support pole to reduce the load on the roof rack. Big mistake, because it cause one of the brackets on the roof rack to misalign which caused the entire rig to collapse, damaging one of my mirrors. Again, my mistake from the way I set the support pole. Also the orientation of the brackets which lock to the roof rack favors setting the Load Assist on the left side of the vehicle for the front roof rack. My mishap was when attempting to load on the right side of the vehicle. I have also sterted to use a small strap when loading to keep the Load Assist from disengaging. Rhino might consider a safety strap to avoid mishaps. Still fully satisfied, still 5 stars.