Best Roof Top Solution for a Pickup?

I've seen two Revos - an 11 and a 13 - racked on top of a Prius, so don't rule out the Mini yet.   

I searched and asked questions for weeks before I decided that ladder racks would work for me.  You'll figure it out.

Right side up ?

Upside down, but only because they only had bars, no cradles.

Not having owned a pickup before, the idea of a bed extender is new to me; I'm sure that it can be secure, but not about having my 'yak sticking out 8' past the bumper.

I thought about a bed extender, too, but I was concerned about other drivers - and I don't even live in Portland.

There are small, lightweight trailers that could be hauled with either of your vehicles (ask Captain Redbeard about Harbor Freight trailers).  Some can fold the tongue down and be stored standing on end.  I've been debating a Malone trailer for nearly a year, but I was thinking you might get one and tell me if they're worth it!

 

There's a picture of the Prius with two Hobies on top here:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=5e1a9d73e63dcf1b7018e1ef52f7450e&topic=19101.msg204046;topicseen#new

It seems bb2fish has at least one cradle...

I've seen two Revos - an 11 and a 13 - racked on top of a Prius, so don't rule out the Mini yet.   

I searched and asked questions for weeks before I decided that ladder racks would work for me.  You'll figure it out.

Right side up ?

Upside down, but only because they only had bars, no cradles.

Sigh. I was making a derogatory joke about the clown car being upside down, as having less weight than the kayaks.

I gotta get better material.

Hey, don't knock my Prius rack solution.  It's not a truck rack, definitely not a hulivator, and it certainly isn't a trailer, but it works for day trips or solo loading when I put the revo11 on the car in the saddles.

Sigh. I was making a derogatory joke about the clown car being upside down, as having less weight than the kayaks.

I gotta get better material.

Nah, you just need an audience who's not afraid of clowns.  I get it now.

I have a pickup and a Honda Fit, and I prefer loading my kayak onto the Honda. Super low and easy. Put racks on that mini!

Yep, I definitely preferred loading on the Subaru Forester. Racks would work fine on the Mini, but anytime I can I'll fish PC, and want to drive to the water, and I'd have to dramatically improve my equipment packing efficiency.

My Sequoia hasn't been recovered, so one more week until insurance declares it gone for good and reimburses me pennies on the dollar. I'll try to make a replacement decision by the weekend, and that will drive the next set of decisions for moving the kayak. Hopefully, just in time for a big influx of Springers, and the ocean calming down a bit.

Dave

 I started out loading boats onto my truck using the basic Yakima rack with the kayak loader extension on the front crossbar. Lifted the bow onto the extension, then lifted the stern onto the rear crossbar, slid the boat into place, strapped it down and done. Easy on the body but I was only comfortable securing 2 boats safely.
Upgraded to a lumber rack. A sturdier system, but I was still only able to secure 2 boats.
From the back of the truck, lift the bow up onto the rear crossbar, then go down to the stern and lift it up and slide the boat onto the lumber racks, strap and go. Still, low risk and easy on the body.
I then added the J-bars to the L-rack. I can safely secure 4 kayaks but the ops got a little more complex.
After sliding the kayaks up the middle of the L-rack, I then climb up the rear tire and up onto the wall of the truck bed. I then pull the boat up into the J-bar. It's not horrible but can be challenging when everything is wet and fatigue is a factor.
Hope this helps

 A shower mat or bath rug placed under the stern of the kayak helps to keep it from slipping when lifting the bow to the high angle needed.

@Hydrospyder, thanks for the pics. I also used a Yakima Boatloader on my Sequoia, and it does make loading much easier, particularly with high racks and in the wind. The Hullavator was even easier.