Load Assist Racks

Loading my kayak on my Subaru Crosstrek often felt like a workout in itself, turning an exciting day on the water into a test of strength and patience. After soaking up the peace and tranquility of nature, I would return to the grueling task of hoisting my boat back onto my roof which proved to be a frustrating challenge. It became clear that I needed a different solution – something that would make this process smoother and more enjoyable.

Choosing my Racks

There were a handful of load assist rack suggestions from my OK4WD team to choose from including the Thule Hullavator, Dropracks TVE1, Rhino-Rack Nautic Kayak Lifter and Yakima Showdown.

I assessed each one for a few key factors in my own purchasing decision -

• Straightforward Operation: I wanted something simple to operate without additional pieces or tools needed. The Rhino-Rack Nautic Kayak Lifter requires ramps that, while stored within the rack, do need to be attached and detached. The other options were all self-contained and did not require assembly with each use which was my preference.
• Required Heavy Lifting: I was looking for something that would alleviate a heavy overhead lift. Being that I was installing these on a Subaru Crosstrek, all the options brought the required lift height to waist or below. On taller vehicles, this could vary. To note, both the Thule Hullavtor and Yakima Showdown do require the user to push the boat into place with the assistance of the rack while the Rhino-Rack Nautic Kayak Lifter and Dropracks TVE1 utilize other winching mechanisms for the final load.
• Solo Loading: This was a key factor in making my decision. I often kayak on my own and wanted something that gave me confidence in my ability to load up after a long day. All my options seemed to satisfy this requirement as they would give me enough help in making that ‘big lift’ back onto my vehicle.
• Cost: While not the primary factor in my decision, I did consider additional cost as it related to added value. If I was going to pay more, I would want to know I was getting more value for my needs. With pricing varying between my options, I considered it in relation to fulfilling my needs listed above.

Ultimately, I landed on purchasing the Yakima Showdown. This product satisfied my personal requirements and came in at a price point I was happy with.

Installation and Operation 

The installation of the Yakima Showdown was incredibly straightforward. Directions were clear and the product itself was light, making the install an easy one-man job. The comfort knobs for tightening the racks onto my crossbars were appreciated and I felt confident in a secure fit. Once on, I was able to easily drop the racks down the side of my vehicle. When fully extended, the racks landed at about knee height which meant a simple lift of my boat to load and secure it with the included straps. *I already had crossbars installed on my vehicle which met the specifications Yakima lists in their installation guide.

The next step was the true test – getting it on the roof. I had an expectation that these racks would help, but I was blown away by the ease at which I got my boat onto my roof on my own. The comfort handle and smooth glide of the racks made the once ‘big lift’ simple. While this did require some strength on my part, it was minimal.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with my purchase and look forward to many future solo kayaking trips with my new racks helping me wrap up the day. As they say – adventure awaits!