Can Dutton-Lainson Winch Pull Kayak on Ladder Rack

Question:

DL16003. My husband and I currently have a 2007 Toyota Tundra with Yakima Over Haul racks. We load our 85# fishing kayaks upside down on the rails by balancing on end at tailgate then I get at the front and pull on a long cord while my husband lifts the back of the kayak up and between the two of us we get them onto the rack. I would like to mount 1 for each kayak on a board attached to my bed rail behind the cab and put the strap over the rearmost rack using it to help pull the kayak to vertical against the tailgate then horizontal onto the racks with one of us operating the ratchet and the other steadying the kayak let the winch do the lifting. Do you think this could work? My husband was just diagnosed with degenerative disk disease and we are trying to avoid him lifting with his back and I am not strong enough to lift the kayak up. We had a kayak trailer but...welll....parking can be a challenge at many access points so we sold it. Open to other suggestions but the comfort in those heavy kayaks is great for us old folks 60s Side loaders still require a lot of lifting and 85# exceeds the capacity

asked by: Nancy J

Expert Reply:

Yes, I think it could work to pull your kayaks on top of your ladder racks by using the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch - TUFFPLATE Finish - Single Speed - 12' Strap # DL16003.

Of course, I wouldn't be able to say with 100 percent certainty that this is going to be a perfect solution and you won't encounter any issues because this is not something we have tried and it's not what the winch was designed for, but people use winches for all types of different situations. But with that disclaimer, yes, you will be able to lift your kayaks with the Dutton-Lainson Hand Winch # DL16003; the correct strap for this is part # DL24291.

expert reply by: Kyle S