Car-topping the Adventure using Malone's Telos Load Assist

Car-topping is always manageable when you have a friend to help you out, but it can be quite challenging solo. One pulled shoulder was all it took for me to realize I need a load assist system. I recently got a set of Malone J-cradles and the Malone Telos lift assist to enable solo loading of my 2011 Adventure on my Chrysler Mini-van. The Hull-a-vator looked great, just a bit too expensive for my budget. The Malone Telos Load Assist system was significantly more affordable, especially when ordering from Austin Kayak and using one of their 20%-off coupons. So far I have been extremely satisfied with the Malone system - It is simple, quick, and can withstand the weight and length of the Adventure. It has opened up many more potential launch sites for me, especially when I have a Monday off and want to get out on the water to my favorite fishing and paddling spots.

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"Ain't no livin' like Sugarloaf livin"

2011 Adventure "The X-wing"

nice, I was always worried about the flex in the cradles. How do you like them?

Nice indeed! How does it fold up when you're not carrying a kayak? Pretty streamlined?

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2011 Oasis - Lunalilo Express
2012 Revo 11 - Lunalilo

Is it possible to put the boat into the cradles one end at a time? I once watched a video demonstrating this or a similar system, but the user picked the kayak completely off the ground and placed it in the cradles in one movement. Speaking for myself, if I have to lift a boat, I'd rather do it one end at a time, but it looks like, to do that, you'd need the boat at an angle to the car, and I'm not sure if that would work. Or maybe you could put the front of the boat on the rear cradle, then slide it along...?

Always interesting to read about loading options.

Mary

Hi remy4u97, Chexone, & Mary,

Malone makes 3 types of J-cradles that are compatible with the Telos load assist. The plastic cradles have the lowest weight capacity and are probably the ones that you would have to worry about flex. I have the middle of the road J cradles with aluminum support bars. The third version has the support bars that fold down for travel when not in use.

The cradles are extremely easy to put up (4 wingnuts) so I stow them in my van when I am paddling. In the Keys, the saltwater can be overwhelming so I rinse the top of my van and the cradles after each use.

The most I have traveled is about 100 miles and I have had no problems with them.

I still have to heave my adventure up about waist high in order to get them in the Telos cradles. You could probably load the kayak in 1 cradle at a time, but the Telos is anchored to the vehicle by suction cups (not entirely stable). The distance you have to lift is also dependent on your vehicle. My van is pretty high, but a station wagon would be a perfect height for minimal lifting.

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"Ain't no livin' like Sugarloaf livin"

2011 Adventure "The X-wing"

I did not see any lines to tie the front of the yak or the back of the yak. do you tie the ends for safety? Thanks

Yes, it's very important to tie down your yak for safety. The Malone J-cradles come with 2 sets of tie-downs which I anchor to loops in the front and rear of my mini-van.

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"Ain't no livin' like Sugarloaf livin"

2011 Adventure "The X-wing"