This J-style kayak carrier has a detachable lift assist to reduce the strain of lifting a kayak onto your roof. It also has built-in boarding ramps that help guide the kayak onto the carrier. Includes load straps, tie-downs, and mounting hardware.
Features:
Specs:
The Telos XL lift assist provides a safe and easy way to get your kayak onto your roof by yourself. You'll never need a second pair of hands again! Simply lift your kayak to waist height and set it on the assist cradles. The self-locking, ratcheting cradles prevent your kayak from sliding down the tracks as you push it up. Once your kayak is at the top of the legs, the carrier's built-in loading ramps allow you to push your kayak onto the cradles with ease.
The Telos XL lift assist easily detaches from the carrier and collapses so you can store it in your cargo area after your kayak has been loaded. This way you'll have it with you once you're done on the water and ready to load your kayak again for the trip home. The attachment point on the lift assist slides into the cutout on the carrier's loading ramp, and the retractable legs extend down until the feet are level on the ground.
The Malone DownLoader is a J-style kayak carrier with built-in boarding ramps to make it easier to push your kayak onto your roof by yourself. It holds your kayak on its side to leave plenty of room on your crossbars for another kayak rack, a bike rack, or a cargo carrier. Padding on the arms and base protect your kayak from scratches and scuffs during transport. The arms also fold down when you're not using them to increase overhead clearance for parking.
The carrier includes 2 cam-buckle straps and integrated strap holders to secure your kayak to the rack. The strap holders attach to the top of the carrier to keep the straps in place while loading your kayak. A set of bow/stern tie-downs are also included to secure the kayak to the front and back of your vehicle. If your vehicle doesn't have any tie-down points, you can get an anchor kit (sold separately) which will let you create anchor points in the creases of your vehicle's hood and hatch.
The carrier clamps to most crossbars without the need for tools. Simply set the rack on your crossbars, slide the mounting brackets over the bolts, and secure them with the T-knobs. Foam covers mounting bolts to protect your kayak from scratches.
Alternate Instructions
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (130 Customer Reviews)
This J-style kayak carrier has a detachable lift assist to reduce the strain of lifting a kayak onto your roof. It also has built-in boarding ramps that help guide the kayak onto the carrier. Includes load straps, tie-downs, and mounting hardware.I can't lift my kayak onto my roof rack like I could when I was younger. This looked like a perfect answer to keep me actively using my kayak. It is simple to use, but it does take some strength as you have to lift your kayak onto the loader and must lift the kayak up onto the roof rack as it only loads to just before the top, so keep that in mind. The legs need to be about 6" - 8" longer as mine don't touch the ground at the connectors. I can only reach the ground with them lowered to where they are almost out of the holder. They also touch the Jeep, so I am going to have to carry something to fit between the loader and the Jeep to prevent scratching the door paint. I think if the legs were longer and they fit with both the holder/connectors then I think they might not touch the Jeep. I would have given 5 stars if the legs were long enough. It works with both my moulded J rack and my fold down J rack. It works with both style of kayaks, rounded and straight hulls.
About a year ago, I purchased one set of the Malone Downloader w/Lift Assist (MPG114MD-351XL) and second set of Downloader J-Style Folding Racks (MPG114MD) for use on a 2014 Subaru Outback with standard Subaru roof racks. I had no issue with installation and use of any of the parts using the enclosed instructions and online videos. Everything seems to fit properly and securely; no broken, unusable, or missing parts.
Over the past year we've use the racks extensively for our 10.5 ft recreational kayaks on both short local trips and longer highway trips. We augmented the roof racks with T-handle hood and tailgate tie-downs and some locally purchased camlock tie-down cords. Everything working great with 10's of racking/unracking episodes. We've only used the Lift Assist maybe 1 of 10 trips when there's only a single person lifting, so can't provide as much feedback. However, the Lift Assist does work exactly as advertised and we're happy with the results.
In addition, the friendly and well-informed folks at etrailer.com were a huge help with answering tech questions. Well done!
I'm happy with the Malone Downloader with TelosXL Load Assist. I wanted help loading my kayak onto my Toyota Rav4 since I go kayaking alone (and I am a small but strong 60 year old woman). The TelosXL definitely helps getting the kayak up to the J cradles. I still need a sturdy step stool to push it from the loader to the cradles. The things that I think could use some adjusting: on the TelosXL I found that the foot pedals can slip on asphalt. I cut some non-stick pads out that I take with me if I'm loading/unloading on asphalt (see picture that I am including). Also with the TelosXL the assembly guides are too far apart. When the assembly is extended to touch the ground, only one of the guides still has the extender in it. This makes it less stable. Malone might consider putting one more guide between the 2. As far as the Downloader goes, the tie down straps need to have the buckle completed covered to avoid dings on the car. Also, the bow/stern lines should include a ratcheting system. I ended up paying extra to get the Thule tie down straps and bow/stern lines because they are better.
I asked etrailer for a recommendation for an easy lift system that would work on my telluride for two kayaks. Although I would have preferred a hydraulic lift, that was not compatible for two kayaks. This was the recommendation, and it works beautifully! I just have to life one side at a time a little ways. It takes a bit more time, but it is well worth it for the convenience.
Arrived on time. Packing very good. Setting up easy, used on Volvo XC60, 70mm bolts OK, however 80mm would be better. Looks sturdy enough for my 45 lbs. kayak. Loading and unloading quite easy. Straps could be longer, I tried to secure them inside the car but one of them slipped out through a door gasket. Rubber plugs at the foots of stays tend to fall out and I finally gave up. Those are minor items not decreasing any usability.
They work great. The two tier extention system enables me to easily put my kyak on the top otmy Silverado pickup. Recommend it highly.
We have 2 52lb kayaks. I was nervous about getting them onto our car and this downloader definitely helps.
Had a bit of learning curve first time I used it especially on hilly driveway, but got my kayak loaded & was pleasantly surprised it was easier than I was expecting after years of loading from the rear of my SUV's. Same for off-loading. Will definitely be even easier next time. Only issue was the need to tighten the T-knobs several times during my 2-day trip. Could hear the rack rattling around. But overall, am really pleased. Definitely solves my loading problems & would recommend
Seems to work very well, I was a bit concerned about how it would be to get it off the load assist into the J carrier, but it was actually very easy. I'm going on top of a truck bed rack, so it's up over my head at full extension of arms and all, not the safest place to be which is what I needed this to fix, seems great. Bonus is that the combination doesn't conflict with my awning mounted below t slot bars.
Malone Telos Load Assist is an amazing solution to lifting a kayak onto rooftop when one of you is Vertically challenged and the other has no upper body strength. Will be great for when we are 75 or 80 years old and still kayaking. We looked at Thule Hullavator and putting aside its big price, you simply cannot fit a second kayak in a standard cradle on most cars if you have a Thule Hullavator on the other side, the square crossbars you would need would extend way too far out. The Malone Telos is well made and ratcheting System is easy. I give the Telos 5 Stars however, Since I bought the Telos and the Malone Downloader as a package, I have to take off a star for the Malone Downloader because the knobs to tighten the rubber coated mount brackets to cars cross bars loosen with each trip and you have to check and tighten them regularly. I bought some longer malone bolts and added lock washers which helps some but you still need to inspect and tighten. Also, the rubber coating on the Malone attachment brackets cracks after tightening. etrailer’s Service by email and phone is outstanding though and I will certainly buy other products through etrailer again.
These so far are excellent, I won't actually load my kayak until tomorrow, but so far so good. I found the poles fit better now that I know the bottom foot telescopes as well.
Malone Telos-XL with J racks has opened a new chapter in our retirement. Loading and unloading kayaks was becoming more difficult with larger vehicles. We researched other products but were immediately impressed with the design, quality, and price. Ease of use is best feature. A great product!
Videos are what sold me the first time, and what brought me back the second.
Prices are in line with other retailers.
Will do business again in the future
I had the moulded downloader and needed the folding in order to fit in the garage. The top feed for the tie straps isn't as good as the moulded J-style rack, the strap came out of one, but the kayak stayed where it needed to be. It is easy to raise and lower the rack, but I am not always sure at what angle I am supposed to set them. With the moulded J-style, they are at the perfect angle for holding a kayak. I wish the clamp that goes under the bars were a better fit for the oval bars, but they do send two different size bolts and the longer ones work.
The Malone DownLoader is very good value for the money. The J-style cradle is nice when you have to muscle a kayak on top of a tall crossover or SUV. You can hook the edge of the cockpit onto the base of the cradle and flip the kayak up onto the metal hoop support. Carrier installation and removal is easy and doesn't require any tools. Materials are good, but not great and that's what prevents this product from getting 5 stars IMO. The foam padding is nice enough and has been durable, but the metal plate that attaches the carrier to the roof rails is plastic coated steel and the plastic cracks over time, and leads to rust on the steel plate beneath. Not a big deal, but it might compromise the plate over time. I also wish that the provided nylon straps were longer, and that the ratchet buckles were covered in rubber to protect the roof of the vehicle and the windshield when you're trying to get them around the hull of the boat. We quickly replaced these with longer aftermarket straps that have rubber covers over the buckles. Those minor points aside, the Malone DownLoader kayak carrier gets the job done easily and safely, and does so at a very affordable price point.
These kayak J-style racks worked great, AFTER I went to the hardware store and spent $20 on bolts that actually fit my truck rack. It comes with 2-5/8” mounting bolts that aren’t adequate for a heavy truck rack ( mines a Best.Wyle). I had to buy 4” bolts, lock washers, and nuts). I also wish the locking teeth were mitered instead of square. That would make them less prone to breaking and easier to align.
These Malone kayak carriers really do the job. Paired with the Malone Telos Load Assist, getting our sea kayaks onto the topper of our Toyota Tundra is easy for this 70 year old. No more major lifting causing aggravation for my back. Tying down each kayak is quick and easy.
I used these on Toyota Sienna with the Malone aero cross bars. Like others have said, you will need longer bolts than provided to mount on the aero bars. I also used ratchet tie straps since I didn’t feel confident with the tie downs provided. (I had a 100+ mile trip coming up.)
Overall great quality, price, and service from etrailer. The short bolts are the only thing stopping it from a 5 star rating.
Malone DownLoader Kayak Carriers are a perfect design. Fold down locking mechanism when not in use is a great feature as well as adjustable upright angles for transporting kayaks. Easy to follow instructions along with sturdy tie downs. Highly recommended!
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