How to load Kayak?

[Whttxtrail]

What brand and size crossbars are you using in order to install 2 Thule Hullavators for 2 kayaks? My kayaks are 10 feet long and 31 inches wide.

Thank you.

They are 53” Thule aero bars. The Hullavators will mount to other cross bars but I wouldn’t suggest any shorter than the 53” so that they clear the side of the runner when they are deployed. Hope that helps some.

 

[Jewelonly]

Thank you very much. Have you ever experienced any problems with exceeding the roof rack weight limit by carrying 2 kayaks with the 2 Thule Hullivators? Most of my trips would be distances under an hour or two.

 

[Jewelonly]

If you can afford it, Thule Hullavator. They are pricey but trust me if you plan on kayaking a lot, they are worth every cent. You will definitely be able to load that boat by yourself without any fear of scratching or denting your truck. They are rock solid too as I have no drama at all driving at highway speeds with both boats on the truck.

With Hullavators you only need to lift the boat 3 feet or so to get it into the cradles. Once there you strap them in and lift them to the top of the truck. The arms have struts that help carry the weight of the boat.

You can check ebay and save a few bucks that what I did. Note sometimes there are none listed, but if you keep checking sooner or later someone will post one for sale.

Here are some pics of my truck and our yaks. Note these are 15' Ocean Kayaks, one is a Trident 15 and one is a Prowler 15 (basically the same thing). These boats are heavy and this wrack has no problem handling them. Note you will need to get Thule crossbars that are long enough, so the wrack can hold the boat far enough away from the truck. I love them.

Have you ever experienced any problems with exceeding the roof rack weight limit by carrying 2 kayaks with the 2 Thule Hullavators? Most of my trips would be distances under an hour or two. Thank you for your help.

 

[Seakayaker]

Hi did you ever get an answer to your question of using 2 Hullivators on your 4RUNNER? I already have one and thinking of installing a second one. Local rack shop has warned me that two hullivators with kayaks may rip off factory rack. I am using Yakima Towers and bars attached to factory rack.

 

[Muskrat14]

I put the towel down also. Hasn’t marked it up yet.

However, I like the first couple of posts that mention suction cups n pvc pipe. Great idea.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deuxdiesel]

Not blaming it on the nearly 60 lb Ocean Kayak Malibu 2 tandem yak as much as the nearly 60 years of age, but after yet another seriously painful shoulder injury from trying to put that beast on the roof today, I think I am going with a cheap utility trailer from now on. Or maybe an inflatable kayak.

 

[spychic]

I hauled two ocean Kayaks on my 4th Gen for 5 years when I was living on the east coast. This was the best and easiest I had found. Requires what essentially amounts to a clean-and-jerk weight lifting move of sorts and you just whip it right up onto the cradle, strap em on and you're set. If you're either short or unable to lift your Yak over your head, then you'd need two people of course. VERY stable and I am insistent on 100% locked-down safe carrying (I ride a motorcycle 50% of the time).

They fold down easily too.

did these cradles install on factory cross bars or Yakima/Thule ect??

 

[MarekP]

I use the
Pelican Adjustable Deluxe Foam Block Transport Roof Kayak Carrier Kit
Simple, easy to use