There is described a rack system for displacing a ladder between a loading/unloading position and a stored position respectively on a side and on a rooftop of the vehicle. The ladder rack system comprises a handle lever by which a user applies an input angular movement. A gear assembly is connected to the handle lever and comprises gears to multiply the input angular movement into an output angular movement greater than the input angular movement. A linking member is pivotably connected to the gear assembly and is for undergoing and transmitting the output angular movement. A sliding arm assembly is to receive the output angular movement from the linking member, thereby being pivoted between the loading/unloading position in which the sliding arm assembly extends substantially vertically on the side of the vehicle and the stored position in which the sliding arm assembly extends substantially parallel to the rooftop.

A support for a vessel such as a kayak or canoe comprises a support structure such as a kayak rack supported by the ground, the support structure comprising a beam for supporting the vessel, the beam generally parallel to the ground. A sliding structure is on the beam. The sliding structure comprises a bracket having an upwardly facing surface; and roller bearings on the upwardly facing surface of the bracket for ease in slidingly placing and removing the vessel from the support structure. A fastener fastens the sliding structure to the beam.

A lift-assisted rack mountable to a roof of a vehicle and pivotable between a transport configuration and a loading configuration. The lift-assisted rack comprises: a fixed base mounted to the roof of the vehicle, a set of pivoting links, an article support, a pivoting arm and a lift-assisting strut. The set of pivoting links are pivotally connected to the fixed base at a link proximal end thereof. The article support is pivotally connected to the set of pivoting links, at a link distal end thereof. The pivoting arm is pivotally connected to the fixed base at an arm proximal end and is pivotable of a predetermined angular. The lift-assisting strut is pivotally connected to one link of the set of pivoting links at a strut distal end and is pivotally connected to the arm distal end of the pivoting arm, at a strut proximal end thereof.

A lift-assisted rack mountable to a roof of a vehicle and pivotable between a transport configuration and a loading configuration. The lift-assisted rack comprises: a fixed base mounted to the roof of the vehicle, a set of pivoting links, an article support, a pivoting arm and a lift-assisting strut. The set of pivoting links are pivotally connected to the fixed base at a link proximal end thereof. The article support is pivotally connected to the set of pivoting links, at a link distal end thereof. The pivoting arm is pivotally connected to the fixed base at an arm proximal end and is pivotable of a predetermined angular. The lift-assisting strut is pivotally connected to one link of the set of pivoting links at a strut distal end and is pivotally connected to the arm distal end of the pivoting arm, at a strut proximal end thereof.

A vehicle rack for hauling one or more personal recreational vehicles is provided. A vehicle rack may be adjustable to allow one or more personal recreation vehicles to be stored above a vehicle's cargo area allowing the vehicle to also tow a trailer.

A support for a vessel such as a kayak or canoe comprises a support structure such as a kayak rack supported by the ground, the support structure comprising a beam for supporting the vessel, the beam generally parallel to the ground. A sliding structure is on the beam. The sliding structure comprises a bracket having an upwardly facing surface; and roller bearings on the upwardly facing surface of the bracket for ease in slidingly placing and removing the vessel from the support structure. A fastener fastens the sliding structure to the beam.

A truck mountable kayak loader and carrier including a support frame having a front frame, a back frame, and a pair of side rails. Rotatably affixed to the back frame is a kayak support structure having a pair of telescoping rails, with a winch support structure secured at and between one of the ends of the telescoping rails and a pull bar secured at and between the other ends of the telescoping rails. A telescoping cylinder is provided to raise and lower the front end of the kayak support structure relative to the support frame, and a winch system is provided to pull the kayak onto the kayak support system. Also provide is a kayak support structure for mounting on a carrier or storage structure. Further, methods of loading a kayak onto a truck or kayak support structure are provided, using the disclosed technology.

A vehicle rack for hauling one or more personal recreational vehicles is provided. A vehicle rack may be adjustable to allow one or more personal recreation vehicles to be stored above a vehicle's cargo area allowing the vehicle to also tow a trailer.

A truck mountable kayak loader and carrier including a support frame having a front frame, a back frame, and a pair of side rails. Rotatably affixed to the back frame is a kayak support structure having a pair of telescoping rails, with a winch support structure secured at and between one of the ends of the telescoping rails and a pull bar secured at and between the other ends of the telescoping rails. A telescoping cylinder is provided to raise and lower the front end of the kayak support structure relative to the support frame, and a winch system is provided to pull the kayak onto the kayak support system. Also provide is a kayak support structure for mounting on a carrier or storage structure. Further, methods of loading a kayak onto a truck or kayak support structure are provided, using the disclosed technology.

A vehicle rack for hauling one or more personal recreational vehicles is provided. A vehicle rack may be adjustable to allow one or more personal recreation vehicles to be stored above a vehicle's cargo area allowing the vehicle to also tow a trailer.