Easily Loading and Carrying 2 Kayaks on a 2017 GMC Denali XL

Question:

I am trying to figure out what I need to carry two yaks on a 2017 Yukon xl Denali. I do not have the roof rails, so I need everything and it has to work for a 56 year old woman.

asked by: Kelly R

Expert Reply:

A roof rack is required first and if you are looking to ease the loading, a lift assist would be important too. The Yukon XL roof weight limit is 150 pounds so that is important in selecting rails, loading 2 kayaks, and their carriers. Yakima makes a solid roof rack option with their 66" roof rack system including parts # Y00410, # Y53TR, # Y03536, # Y00243

A side loading kayak carrier such as the Thule Hullavator # TH898 would help you a great deal loading kayaks. The video below helps show it works. Crossbars for your roof rack however will need to be 65-78 inches wide for this on a Yukon XL. We do carry bars that wide and longer. Because each carrier weighs 40 pounds plus 2 kayaks (about 35 pounds each on average but can vary significantly) could put you over the weight limit maximum, this may not be best in that situation.

Malone offers a nice combination kayak carrier and loader in the Telos XL Load Assist for Malone J-Style Kayak Carriers # MPG114MD-351XL. The kayak carriers will weigh 13 pounds each and the kayaks themselves can't exceed 36 inches wide but this option will be lighter on your roof and still help loading a great deal. There are no roof rack width requirements for this option. The attached video is a great help in seeing how this option works.

For additional security, a locking core # Y07202 can be purchased to help prevent theft. Also an additional cinch strap # Y04031 and tie down # Y05006 will be required for 2 kayaks being mounted with the Malone Telos package.

Pulling your kayaks on a trailer is another choice. Trailers like the Malone MicroSport Trailer # MPG461G2 is designed for hauling 2 kayaks weighing up to 75 lbs behind your vehicle.

expert reply by: Patrick R

Patrick R.

7/15/2019

A roof rack is required first and if you are looking to ease the loading, a lift assist would be important too. The Yukon XL roof weight limit is 150 pounds so that is important in selecting rails, loading 2 kayaks, and their carriers. Yakima makes a solid roof rack option with their JetStream roof rack system consisting of # Y53TR, # Y00243 and 70" Aero bars # Y00427 A side loading kayak carrier such as the Thule Hullavator # TH898 would help you a great deal loading kayaks. The video below helps show it works. Crossbars for your roof rack will need to be 65-78 inches wide for this on a Yukon XL. Because each carrier weighs 40 pounds plus 2 kayaks (about 35 pounds each on average but can vary significantly) could put you over the weight limit maximum. If the Hullavator is too heavy, Malone offers a nice combination kayak carrier and loader in the Telos XL Load Assist for Malone J-Style Kayak Carriers # MPG114MD-351XL. The kayak carriers will weigh 13 pounds each and the kayaks themselves can't exceed 36 inches wide but this option will be lighter on your roof and still help loading a great deal. There are no roof rack width requirements for this option. The attached video is a great help in seeing how this option works. For additional security, a locking core # Y07202 can be purchased to help prevent theft. Also an additional cinch strap # Y04031 and tie down # Y05006 will be required for 2 kayaks being mounted with the Malone Telos package. Pulling your kayaks on a trailer is another choice. Trailers like the Malone MicroSport Trailer # MPG461G2 is designed for hauling 2 kayaks weighing up to 75 lbs behind your vehicle.