When Extended Down How Far will the Thule Hullavator Be From the Top of the Cross Bars

Updated 04/07/2014 | Published 04/04/2014

Question:

My SUV roof top is 67 inches from the ground. I am 5 2, 130 lbs and my SOT kayak is 65 lbs and 12.5 ft. I load from the front with a suction cup bar on the hood and just before my moon roof with the kayak on a 22 in kayak dolly. The cup bar has come loose at times and I have scratched the $$ out of my cars engine hood and the roof between the front windshield and moon roof.Due to the weight and size of my kayak, I cannot dead lift very far from the ground. 1. Can I use my kayak dolly as a fulcrum point and rotate my kayak from the ground to rest on one of the Hullavator Arms and then slide kayak across one arm until I get the kayak balanced on both arms?2. Is 65 lbs on one ARM too much?3. When loading, the bottom of the Hullavator arm would be how far from the ground? Assume the top of the SUV roof is 67 inches from the ground and then the load bar

asked by: Nancy

Expert Reply:

I spoke to my contact at Thule and she informed me that when the Thule Hullavator Kayak Carrier part # TH898 that you referenced is extended down for kayak loading it will be 40 inches lower than the top of the roof rack crossbars. So that means if the top of your crossbars measures 67 inches from the ground that when the Hullavator is extended down the carrier will only be 27 inches from the ground.

I asked my contact at Thule if your loading process would be okay and she stated that these arms are designed to handle some sliding for loading so your method should be fine. She did say that she would rather you load your kayak by setting it on the Hullavator evenly though.

Check out the review video I attached also.

expert reply by: Jameson C