Eckla loading bar

[ZEBRA]

Eckla loading bar

This is my first impressions review on this loading bar .
The long awaited kayak loading bar has finally arrived here in the uk
Something has been needed for a long time now to help with getting the kayaks on and off the cars single handed.
The first thing you will notice with this loading bar kit is how comprehensive the kit is with both bar mounts and slide bar mounts so it will fit virtually any roof rack .
The bar its self is made from aluminium square with a sliding tubular bar which locks in place with a small button so it can’t slide out while driving.
It can be used on either side of the vehicle and can be fitted in minutes.
I fitted it to my roof rack in about 5 minutes.



Above you see the bar half open a simple press of the lock button and it’s either open or locked closed.



Above is the comprehensive fixing kit on the left hand side is the slide kit and on the right is the standard square bar fixing kit.



Above shows how the spacers are used on this bar notice the blue padding which is supplied to prevent any damage to your kayak.



Above shows the fully extended open loading bar.





Putting the kayak on the car is easy with this bar.
In the first step lay your kayak next to the car with the bar open.



Then lift the front of the kayak on to the bar.







Step3 is to lift the rear of the kayak up to the roof rack note I am lifting it with one arm only it’s so easy.



Slide the kayak in to the travelling position.



Press the small lock button and slide the telescopic arm back to the closed lock position and its as easy as that no more wrestling with the kayaks to get them on to the rack .

I think this loading bar has been really well thought out it fits to the car quickly is not obtrusive so can be left on the car the materials and build quality are very high standard which we would expect from eckla and the price £59.95 and it is marketed by system x so it’s a very affordable answer to a long standing problem I think eckla have got this just right.
www.systemxkayak.co.uk/

I have this now fixed to my roof rack and will add to this first impressions review once we have used it a bit.

[SEAJUNKY]

I am always nervous about things that slide out of the side of vehicles. Having worked in transport I have seen to many accidents. If for any reason it hasn't been locked into place and you go round a left hand turn and it slides out it could hit an on coming vehicle.

[ZEBRA]

this unit can not slide out it has a locking button so when you push it closed and it locks you need to push a little button to release it to extend it .

[izzetafox]

I too have a Galaxy and that seems to offer a viable alternative to rear loading. What's the price?
I like the upright bar on the end, I have had a strong cross wind blow mine off the roof bars as I was loading, not a pleasant experience.
Is that blue roll padding that you can compress for tightening down the yak?

[pav]

Surely if you were to lift the boat as shown onto the bar, whilst you let go and moved to the other end of the boat it would slide off, especially if the angle was higher such as on T4 / Vito etc vans? .. I trust I am wrong or it wouldn't sell?

[ZEBRA]

i loaded the tarpon 160 on a few times last weekend and it was fine never sliped once and thats 16 ft long but to make sure it would be a good idea to put a rubber car mat on the floor that was it cant slip .

[littleray]

bought one of these a couple of days ago as you say zebra fitted it easily and have tried loading my manta on it and it is a lot easier that it was without it i have a bad back problem so do not work full time work but often go fishing on my own around conwy so have to load and unload by myself and this is just the job i can go fishing again now thanks for the info via pm zebra much appreciated

[greatormeman]

This looks a great idea, tell me did you find a local supplier? Where did you order yours from?

[ZEBRA]

brookbanks stockport have them £59.95

[maverick34]

I just bought one of these and have the following observations
1) I have Thule Aero Bars and the kit came, as standard, with "T" fittings
2) It isn't exactly rocket science to put these together but the instructions aren't very good.
3) I have a Trident 15, so is at the upper end of weight capacity for the Loading Bar. Once the bar is extended and I load my kayak onto it, the bar bends quite a lot. Will the bar fail, I don't know but it bends more than I expected it too.
4) The metal fittings that hold the Loading Bar to the roof rack are exposed and as such will damage your kayak unless you cover them up ( I use a towel folded a few times and placed on top )
5) The fitted sponge/plastic to protect your kayak when loaded on the Loading Bar is too thin and needs supplementing. As I had some "pipe lagging" I just fitted it over the top.
6) Loading/Unloading the T15 has been transformed from a struggle to controlled process.

Other than the bend in the bar the product does what it aims to do and for the price, compared to other solutions, works well.

[tester]

Hi,
I brought my loading arm last year to use with my Prowler 4.5. I soon found that the bar began to bend and with each successive use the bend got worse. At one point I couldn't push it in or pull it out. Luckily I kept my receipt and sent photos and a copy of the receipt to my supplier and got him to contact Eckla to replace a product that was not fit for purpose. A replacement one arrived within 3 weeks.
Hope this helps
Regards Andy.

[vlad]

I didn't keep my receipt and my eckla bar is extended, bent and useless