Recommended Roof Rack and Load-Assist Kayak Carrier for 2019 Mazda CX-5

Question:

I have a Mazda CX-5 but it is too hard for me to lift a kayak on top. I don’t yet have racks or crossbars for it, either. What combo should I get so I can use a Thule assisted lift or a Yakima Sideshow, or some kind of Malone system. #borntokayak. Thanks! I am thinking of a Boreal Baltic, a 12 ft sea kayak, thermoformed as my 16 foot kayak is more than I need. PS. The version is the middle of the road one, not the super fancy one that opens the back gate automatically.

asked by: Kathy A

Expert Reply:

Lifting kayaks up onto the roof of a vehicle is definitely not something that anybody looks forward to, especially when your arms are burning and it's time to head home after leaving the water. My favorite lift-assist carrier to recommend is the Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier # TH898 because of its extremely sturdy design and efficient gas struts on the folding arms that do most of the work.

To install this carrier on your 2019 Mazda CX-5 (if the roof is completely free of any side rails or crossbars) you will need to add the Thule WingBar Evo Roof Rack System. This system consists of # TH711420 for the two 53" Wingbar Crossbars in Black or # TH711400 for Silver, # TH710501 for the Evo Clamp Feet, and # TH145079 for the Fit Kit.

This is great roof rack that features sleek, aerodynamic crossbars that provide both a streamlined appearance and a really quiet ride during travel. The heavy-duty aluminum bars are lightweight but still offer a 220 pound weight capacity.

I have attached a couple of short video demonstrations on these products that you can check out as well.