Kayak fishing rack

cctt said:
i went with the 53 however just got a 2nd hullavator to carry another kayak so I'm upgrading to a 60. I believe thule aeroblade only goes up to 60. The extra 7 inch should help.

anyone want to buy a 53 :)
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[MENTION=121108]cctt[/MENTION] I haven't forgotten about the pics. I'll post them tonight!!!
 
Haven't heard anyone mention that the Hullavator cost is $650. each. Plus tax. And those Thule aero bars are $200 a set. Just sayin ...
 
Wingsuit said:
Haven't heard anyone mention that the Hullavator cost is $650. each. Plus tax. And those Thule aero bars are $200 a set. Just sayin ...
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That's a small price to pay to have assistance loading a Hobie. Especially after 4 shoulder surgeries and a total shoulder replacement!
 
Wingsuit said:
Haven't heard anyone mention that the Hullavator cost is $650. each. Plus tax. And those Thule aero bars are $200 a set. Just sayin ...
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I was able to score one at 540 the other day on amazon which is why I pulled the trigger. Each time I checked it was around 650 but when it got down to 540, I couldn't resist.

Yes its pricey but if you do a lot of kayak fishing like I do, at least one/two times a week, its a life saver!! Especially having a hobie kayak that is 80 lbs. Strapping it down is a piece of cake as well vs trying to strap it on the car with a kayak in the cradle. You will need a ladder or be tall.

The other benefit of the hullavator is that it quickly can be removed so you don't need to have it on the car all the time. Takes literally 2 second to put it on and take it off. That way I can park in the garage. With the other system, I will have to put on the kayak cradle on and off which takes a lot of time.

It is definitely expensive!! two hullavator plus the crossbar sytem. I could get a gobi rack lol

Here is a video of me loading the kayak. Its dark but you get the idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0eVWG6mylU
 
I know they are handy, and Thule makes really good products. I use Thule Aero blades with Set To Go kayak saddles (my kayak weighs 22 lbs, a little easier to handle). I also have a Thule cargo box and hitch mount bike rack. I have seen people use those Hullavators on Sprinter vans, for standup paddle boards. Just wanted to get the price out there so no one has the big one at the store.

REI is getting ready to issue the 20 per cent off coupon with the dividends, later this week, if anyone wants to get a discount on the Hullavator.
 
Do you use front and rear tie downs when transporting? Thank you for posting, I have been considering getting into kayak fishing.
 
cctt said:
I was able to score one at 540 the other day on amazon which is why I pulled the trigger. Each time I checked it was around 650 but when it got down to 540, I couldn't resist.

Yes its pricey but if you do a lot of kayak fishing like I do, at least one/two times a week, its a life saver!! Especially having a hobie kayak that is 80 lbs. Strapping it down is a piece of cake as well vs trying to strap it on the car with a kayak in the cradle. You will need a ladder or be tall.

The other benefit of the hullavator is that it quickly can be removed so you don't need to have it on the car all the time. Takes literally 2 second to put it on and take it off. That way I can park in the garage. With the other system, I will have to put on the kayak cradle on and off which takes a lot of time.

It is definitely expensive!! two hullavator plus the crossbar sytem. I could get a gobi rack lol

Here is a video of me loading the kayak. Its dark but you get the idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0eVWG6mylU
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[MENTION=121108]cctt[/MENTION] here you as promise!!!
 

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omaguz said:
[MENTION=121108]cctt[/MENTION] here you as promise!!!
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Thank you very much omaguz. Looks great. My bars should be coming in today so I'll be swapping it out. I like the black bar, just need time to wrap the stock silver rails in black as well. :)

Thanks again :)
 
Are there any racks that I can just attach to the factory 4Runner crossbars or do I need to buy a companies crossbars as well? Just picked up two used Wilderness Systems and now need to look into getting a rack.
 
ballplayer002003 said:
Are there any racks that I can just attach to the factory 4Runner crossbars or do I need to buy a companies crossbars as well? Just picked up two used Wilderness Systems and now need to look into getting a rack.
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How wide are the Wilderness Systems? Are you mounting them side-by-side?

If you're only hauling one 'yak, then you can attach the saddles directly to your crossbars and put them at the proper spacing. However, it you're going to carry 2, and you are going to lay them side-by-side, then your gonna need the Thule Aeroblade or something similar to get you enough distance side-to-side to put 2 sets of saddles on. Our 'yaks are 30" wide (ya I know, big butts) so need approx 60" bar (slightly less) to make sure they can be mounted side-by-side.

The only question is if there is enough clearance between the bottom of the saddle mounting system and the roof under the factory crossbar... Just look closely at how the saddles mount to the crossbar. If the wing nuts are on the bottom, there may not be enough room. Look for saddles with the wing nuts on the top.
 

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The rack consists of the following parts from Thule:

1) Thule Aeroblade ARB60. I bought it for my Tundra but Thule customer service confirmed they will work on the 4Runner.

2) Thule Rapid Crossroad Foot Pack 450R.

3) Thule 2-Pack Lock Cylinder 512

Let me know if you need something else!!!
 
omaguz said:
The rack consists of the following parts from Thule:



1) Thule Aeroblade ARB60. I bought it for my Tundra but Thule customer service confirmed they will work on the 4Runner.



2) Thule Rapid Crossroad Foot Pack 450R.



3) Thule 2-Pack Lock Cylinder 512



Let me know if you need something else!!!
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That's awesome man! I don't know how I got sidetracked on the Yakima stuff as I swore I was shopping for Thule.
:shrug:
 
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That's a neat setup. The one downside I see is the kayak isn't upside down, making it a bit more streamline on long trips.

On previous vehicles, I used a Yakima rack system, then later added the extender pole.

<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jeRQN2Jiurc?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

With the extender bar, only half of the kayak ever has to be picked up at one time. It's rested upon the bar, then the other end can be picked up and set in position. Because the kayak is upside down, it sits firmly on the roof rack with no need of a cradle.

yak0074.jpg


driveway.jpg


And with the rack system, I was able to carry lumber, a radio tower, etc. Same bars, different vehicle.

towermove.jpg


4539.jpg


I know some kayaks have a rounded top and won't lay flat on the bars... just wanted to show other options. I haven't ordered anything for our new 4Runner yet, but leaning with what I know. :cheers:
 
the 60 thule aerobar is perfect! it gave the additional clearance without hitting the car when the hullavator is at the down position.

Now I just need to have two kayak up there to make sure it fits lol
 

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