DockGlide Kayak Saddle
Getting your heavy beast of a kayak up and onto the roof of your car, and then securing it, is no easy task. Save yourself some energy for the water adventure ahead with the help of the Thule DockGlide Kayak Saddle. Designed for convenience and peace of mind, the DockGlide easily loads and unloads your vessel with pivoting felt-lined rear saddles that guide, glide, and center it onto your vehicle. The two independent pivoting saddles have an angle-setting lever to conform to just about any hull shapes, while large, flexible, cushioned pads protect said hull from damage mid-transport. And don't worry about locking it down with a tangled mess of bungee cords and rope—you'll instead quickly secure the kayak with center load straps that feature car-protective buckle bumpers and QuickDraw bow and stern tie-downs for safe, worry-free traveling.
Details
- Flexible, kayak carrier with saddles for easy loading and unloading
- Pivoting felt-lined rear saddles help glide and center your boat
- Accommodates kayaks up to 36-inches wide and 75 lbs
- Angle-setting lever conforms to endless variety of hull shapes
- Cushioned pads protect the hull from damage in transport
- Straps with bumper buckles and bow and stern tie-downs add security
- Item #THU007E
- Boat Capacity
- 1 kayak up to 3ft wide, 75lbs
- Compatibility
- Thule AeroBlade, Thule SquareBar, Thule Xsporter Pro, round bars, and most factory racks due to T-Track and FlipFit brackets
- Part Number
- 896
- Recommended Use
- travel
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited lifetime
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
3.5 based on 8 ratings
Review Summary
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageMay 25, 2023
Difficult install on newer Wingbars
I bought these thinking that they would be a seamless install on the rubber T-slot of the newer Wingbar. It is really difficult to slide the T-bolts through/between the T-Slot rubber strips. You have to release both T-Bolts multiple turns to be able to slide it at all. Once positioned, the T-bolt with the knob can be tightened but the other T-bolt can't be tightened at that point, so that leaves it somewhat loose which is not ideal. You could remove the rubber strips first, install the supports properly, then cut the rubber strips to fill in the slots. That defeats the design of the 2 rubber strips since that would be like the old design with one rubber strip.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
January 12, 2023
Great product
I like that it had the felt padding in the rear and rubber pad for the front feet. The felt makes it easy to slide my kayak and the rubber help keep it in place.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
January 10, 2023
Front Saddles Flop Around on the Highway
When you're not carrying a kayak, the front saddles flop around with a loud thump when driving on the highway, particularly when there is a cross-wind is blowing. The older version of this product, which I also owned, had a locking nut which held the saddle in place. Unfortunately, I could not use the old system with my new car, as Thule wasn't making 'Fit Kits' for my car. Spent a lot of money on a new system only to find this glaring shortcoming. My solution is to velcro down the front saddles whenever I'm not hauling my kayak. This is a major inconvenience. I hope Thule revises the product to bring back the locking nut for the front saddles.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
June 21, 2022
I had been a fan of Thule products until now
For years I have absolutely loved Thule products. Until now. I have to say when I received my latest DockGlide attachment (to replace an older one that rusted because I neglected to take it off last winter), I was totally confused how to attach it to my older square shaped cross bar. There were so many parts and I still have yet to attach it to the car. The directions were PICTURES, which were terrible. No words to describe which parts go for which style of cross bar. It wasn't until I watched a third party video did I even realize that the swivel part that goes under the cross bar will actually swivel face up or face down. But neither way seems to fit. One is too loose and one is too tight. I have yet to use this product. I am so irritated that there is no real instruction or information even online that describes how to attach this product. You are a reputable company, yet you go and change the product (i.e. changing the cross bar shape!) so that it is harder to use your current products. I am ready to switch completely when the time comes to get a new car.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
June 15, 2020
Awesome loading/transport system!
Until about 2 weeks ago, I had to do a clean-and-jerk type move to hoist my 70 lb. Hobie Revo 13 on and off the roof of my Corolla. Always 1 lift away from an injury to a 60 year old back, till now! I should have gotten this system a couple of years ago.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
May 22, 2020
Doesn't fit on it's own bar
I put a LEER camper shell with a Thule rack system on my truck. Bought a Kayak and the Thule DockGlide to carry it. The brackets that connect to the bar and support the kayak will not tighten enough to firmly secure to the bar. I am currently just using the brackets to hold the kayak in place and during high winds the brackets will move. Just surprised since both products are Thule. Disappointed? Yes, yes I am.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
May 3, 2020
Dock Glides ease the loading
We already owned one set of Dock Glides and learned how helpful they are for loading and sliding the kayak into position
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
April 27, 2020
Clamp needs improvement
The glide and grab on these is great. But I would not buy again if you have to use the clamp to attach to factory oval bars. They will not attach securely. Needs rubbery padding to grab the bar and also protect the finish. I cut up an old inner tube and used that, but it’s not optimal.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
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