Loading to truck's roof rack from behind

Hi guys sorry about the newbie question, I'm about to purchase my first pick up truck ever So my first thought is obviously how do I load my kayak?

Let me give you more information, I want to use one of these Thule saddle kits:


The truck bed is about 60 inches long, and it's got duraliner even on the top edge. So my plan was just to lay the kayak (a Revo 13) on the edge of the bed (top of tail gate) and slide it on the duraliner until I reach the saddles.

So my question is this, will the duraliner damage the kayak ? what about the other way around? How difficult would this be for a skinny individual?

The reason I ask is because I saw a video of a guy that make a contraption with some rollers that he places over the tail gate, and got me thinking " wow this most be more difficult than I though"

Anyway , sorry for the long post and thank you in advance for your help.
Dan

The Duraliner is probably too abrasive. You can put a carpet or something similar over it easily though while loading. If there is too much friction, you can also squirt a little Hobie Protectant or 303 on the bottom of the hull -- makes it real slick!

I gather you have a crew cab with no existing overhead rack. The Thule system pictured should work fine for that. The further apart you mount the bars, the more stable the boat rides.

I load my Revo 13 in the bed of my Tundra (with duroliner, 6.5 ' bed) all the time. I line the bed with cardboard. Carpet would work great also. At first I thought I would need a bed extender but not really necessary. I use just use two cheap orange ratchet straps (harbor Freight). It goes in bow first. One strap through the Mirage hole to front rings and one strap all the way around the kayak across the back rings. Works great never moves.

Johnny

Thanks guys, yeah I can't transport mine in the truck bed, local law won't allow it.

Now I wonder where I put the little bottle of Hobie Protectant that came with the kayak

ok, so probably a beach towel on top of the tail gate will do the trick.

Thanks again
Dan

Probably a scrap piece of carpet will be better, especially if you slide the hull on it.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006