Thule Glide and Set Kayak Carrier
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This complete Thule 1-kayak carrier combines the Hydro Glide and Set-To-Go Saddles in one package.
Shop similar products- Smooth loading is achieved with low-friction, felt-lined Hydro Glide saddles
- Maximum kayak support and hull conformance is provided by large, adjustable Set-To-Go saddles
- Carrier transfers easily from vehicle to vehicle with universal hardware
- Fits round, square and most factory bars
- Sold as a complete carrier for one boat
- Includes 1 pair of ratcheting tie downs and 2 straps with buckle protectors
Made in USA.
| Best Use | Kayaking |
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Like it!
With a thick blanket or towel to protect the trunk, I can independently load and unload my 17 foot kayak on my Lexus sedan. With the hydro-glide on the back, I can keep the kayak tipped up until I easily slide it forward enough to lower it onto the front set-to-go saddles. The two straps secure it onto the crossbars and the front and rear ties with the rachets add confidence that it's not moving. I use a Wheelez cart to keep it from scraping on the ground while loading and unloading. I had my husband "spot me" the first few times I did it to make sure my kayak didn't fall or scrape anywhere, but now I'm fine alone.
Over all good product
Kayak is very stable in this "saddle" while driving. My only issue is due to the way I have to load it on my truck because the racks are higher than me and/or my strength level.: I slide it up the back of my truck so it goes on the front rack first. There, I have to over-slide until the rear of the kayak is in front of the rear rack, then I move it back so it's placed over the rear (and front)racks. So the difficulty here is that the saddle width is set to the size of front of kayak, (it's adjustable) so it's a bit tricky on the over sliding part because the kayak width is bigger towards the middle. It's doable but sometimes seems to widen the saddle a bit, so I need to keep tightening it. Other than this I would give it a 5. Sometimes I think a foam roller type padding might work better, but overall, I love the stability on longer trips.
Rear clamps spread apart while driving
I purchased this to hold my 18.25 foot kayak on a BMW X1 with factory cross rails. I needed a carrier that would allow me to slide the kayak from the rear, rather than lift it onto the rack. The glide pads worked exactly as described and it was very easy to slide the kayak from the rear. The installation was quick and easy. While the clamps seemed to adequately grip the cross-rails, after driving a short distance, the rear clamps spread apart from the weight of my kayak and the kayak was virtually touching the cross-rail. I made the clamps tighter, but the same result on the ride home. This was probably due to the inexact fit of the clamp on the factory cross-rail. I returned this product. I would recommend this, but only for use on the Thule cross-rails.
Going back to Yakima
I HATE the rear pads! They are almost TOO slick. They don't rock inward enough to lay properly most of the time (one is often more vertical than horizontal and take some finagling of the boat). The front saddles are nice quality. This system doesn't cradle boats as well or universally as my old systems in the past. Once I have done some adjusting to fit whichever boat I'm taking, it is secure. But I'm glad I got this on sale. In fact, I just ordered a replacement rack from Yakima including the superior hully rollers, which they brought back! I'm selling this rack on craigslist.
Kayak rack review
This is a fantastic product. After struggling to lift my 40 pound Kayak onto a J rack, I switched to this model. It is extremely easy to slide the Kayak onto the car from the back of the automobile. An REI sales person installed the rack for me and explained how to use it, which was well worth the $20 fee. Since there was no way to attach the front and rear tiedowns to the car, in addition I purchased two loops that are shut in the hood and the trunk of the car. These enable the front and rear ropes to tie down to the car securely.
Works great
I bought my first kayak this year after many years of wanting one. I looked into different types of kayak carriers and figured this one would be stable and sturdy. To my relief I was right. I have a 12 foot L.L.Bean Calypso. Initially installing the kayak carrier took approximately one hour (moving bars, kayak, and saddles to line up correctly with only one person takes a while. Imagine walking around your vehicle multiple times to loosen and tighten, move and adjust everything). There is no locking mechanism for carrier or kayak. For this reason when I am finished using it I take off the driver side front and back saddles and leave the passenger ones. If someone wants to steal half a kayak carrier then good for them. Leaving the passenger side aides in easier installation. It takes me on average 10-15 minutes of load time which includes lowering the kayak out of the rafters in the garage and walking it to the vehicle. I take my kayak out about 2-3 times a week and drive 20-30 minutes away. Top speeds I've reached has been 60-65mph on the road. Not once have I ever felt unsafe driving with my kayak on top. I drive a Subaru Forester and the factory bars work perfectly. I am very happy with this purchase and would recommend it to anyone. Again this Thule does NOT have locks for the carrier or kayak.
Works well but kayak rubs on SUV ...
Works well but kayak rubs on SUV during loading/unloading unless precautions are taken. The Thule model 883 Glide and Set Kayak Carrier works as advertised. The kayak slides very easily on the carpeted rear carriers, and then is kept from sliding by the rubber pads on the front carriers. The kayak carrier fits on my Subaru Forester's factory-installed crossbars, saving the expense of buying Thule crossbars. However, depending on the size and shape of your vehicle, and the location of the rear crossbar relative to the end of your vehicle, your kayak may rub against the rear upper edge of your roof/liftgate during solo loading/unloading of your kayak. To protect your vehicle and your kayak during loading/unloading, you may need to buy an additional product such as the Thule Water Slide Protective Pad or an Oak Orchard "SUV Kayak Roller Loader" or other type of roller-loader. Other Thule kayak carriers (Thule Roll Model and Thule SlipStream XT) may do a better job of keeping the kayak clear of your vehicle during loading/unloading, but they are much more expensive, and do not fit on car manufacturer's factory-installed crossbars. The Thule 883 kayak carrier does not lock to the cross bars, and can be easily removed (or stolen) in minutes. For that reason alone, I am downgrading my rating from 5 stars to 4 stars.
Not great compared to other options
Over the years with different vehicles and boats, I have tried the Yakima saddles, j-cradles, pool tubes, and these Thules. I was very disappointed with these. I had to buy something new and saw these on sale. The back slider glides stand up in the wrong orientation and occasionally do not tilt correctly on the boat. They also do not lock, like the yakima rollers can lock. The front saddles are thick rubber and do not allow for easy sliding. The yakima saddles are hard plastic and the boat slides very well over them. I thought the custom adjustments in the front slides might be really nice for a tighter fit, however it doesn't help, and feels cheap as it clicks loudly into place. My boat does not have a good fit on these and I will be returning them today. I have a 13.5 foot sit on top kayak. I will be getting the yakima saddles/rollers instead.
works as promised
Thule rep recommended as best way to load heavier kayaks by yourself. Worked Just as he said. Stand behind vehicle, set on back and slide forward to load. Very sturdy and rock solid when tied down.
Glide and set
Like the other post stated the glide and set doesn't have a lock system to protect from thieves but I found out if you go to Home Depot or lowes you can purchase lock nuts and screw them on after you tighten with hand nuts unless thieves are carrying around a wrench there's no way of stealing your glide and set