Review on Convenient and Versatile: Malone Downloader Folding J-Style 🚗 Universal Car Rack Kayak Carrier with Bow and Stern Lines by John Maskirta

I have over 10 years experience with kayak racks and over the years have had 3 Thule 'J' racks and 1 Yakima rack. Malone's racks beat them all unconditionally. It seems heavier than others and more solidly built than other folding patterns I've used. The protective nylon sleeve on the handlebar padding is nice and will probably keep the padding intact; Some of the other models I had just had "raw" foam pads and started cracking after about a year. The attachment of these racks to the handlebars is really nice. This is a HEAVY steel band shaped to hold round, square, or extra-long factory bars. I have Yakima rods and they attach with no problems. Fastening systems from other brands were made from waste plastic and broke (Thule) or from waste plastic and did NOT break (Yak). The last Thule roof rack I had was a little sturdier than the old junk plastic racks that kept breaking. In any case, Malone mounts seem to be the strongest and easiest to install. Where Malone is REALLY different is that it's the most durable; small "ramp" with a hole in it. It's versatile. When using kayak straps, you can first thread the end of the strap through the hole under the weight bar and back through the hole before attaching to the buckle. It's surprisingly easy and quick to do and really keeps everything tightly connected and tidy. Second, the ramp aids in placing the boat in the cradle. I've fished my kayak off the ends of other brands' cases enough times to know it's a small but nice touch. And finally. This is so cool it deserves its own paragraph. Do you have a tandem kayak or a heavy kayak, or are you a bit older (me!), or are you just small? Y&T people make these swim trunks, right? Monstrous hydraulic gizmos cost about $450 PER KAYAK as they are "permanently" attached to the trunk. Malone's Telos system makes all of that obsolete, including costs. These are two detachable ramps that attach instantly to those two cute little holes on the Malone posts where the straps go. Once attached, each ramp has a ratchet so you can lift one end of the boat and then the other until the boat is lifted from waist height onto the cradle. And you can lower the boat from them exactly the other way round. Throw them in the trunk when you're done. The best part is that you can use the ramps on either side or even with multiple cars if needed. So instead of putting two $900 Thule monsters on your car, you can use a Malone Telos system. for about 215 (actual price here). If you are looking for a kayak loader you MUST go to the Malone website (maloneautoracks dot com) and watch the Telos video. Attention, if you have already contributed 900 beans to the Thule system, this video might annoy you! One final note: All Malone items are made in Maine, USA. It's nice when the best and cheapest on the market is made in the USA. Ken is the author of The Pellet Stove Almanac: Home Heating Enters the 21st Century.