Can Kayaks be Carried Upside Down with Thule Hullavator Kayak Carrier

Updated 06/23/2025 | Published 10/23/2019

Question:

I prefer to travel our two Kayaks, on the roof of our vehicle, to ride bottom of kayak up to the sky, and the kayak deck down on the roof upside down. Question: Has anybody loaded the Hullavator with the bottoms of the kayaks up, so the pointy bow and stern are down ?? I see no reason why it cannot carry this way, but Thule nor no others have commented. I want to load two kayaks on two hullavators so the bottoms of both kayaks are facing UP. Can I do this ??

asked by: James

Expert Reply:

The traditionally recommended way to carry kayaks on the Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier # TH898 is right side up. While it wouldn't be impossible to secure the kayaks well upside down to this carrier it really would depend on the size of the opening of the kayaks for the seat relative the distance between your crossbars since that's where each of the carrier arms mount. If you have a wider opening than the bar spread you might find it harder to get the kayaks mounted securely to the carrier.

You'll want the rectangular pads that you see in the picture I attached to make solid contact with the kayak and not fit through the opening. Also in general rotomolded kayaks have no problem being carried upside down but composite ones need to be right side up.

expert reply by: Jameson C

click to enlarge

James

6/22/2025

It is interesting that Thule suggest hull down and I understand why as my racks (Audi A4 sedan) are close together, but both P&H kayaks and NDK kayaks call for transporting deck down, so bit of dichotomy