Can Two Thule Hullavators Be Installed On An ARE Fiberglass Roof With Square Crossbars

Updated 11/26/2025 | Published 12/14/2024

Question:

Good morning. I have a 2012 Tacoma with and ARE fiberglass cap with 2 roof rails mounted on the roof. I attach my Thule square bar to the roof with gutter feet. My square bars are 64 inches long and overhang past the gutter feet about 12 inches on each side. Will I be able to mount 2 sets of hullavators on my rack with these dimensions - want to carry 2 kayaks. Thank you.

asked by: Keith H

Crossbars
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

Hey Keith,

The Thule Hullavator # TH898 requires 28.5" of crossbar space so you would have enough space with your 64" crossbars to have two installed. The Hullavator is 39.7lbs so you'd have about 80lbs just for the carriers. You'll want to doublecheck the weight of your kayaks and ensure you're not overloading the crossbars or fiberglass roof.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Kate F.

11/17/2025

Hey Keith, how did things go with mounting the two Hullavators on your Tacoma’s roof rack? Were you able to balance the weight and space the way you wanted? Your experience could help others trying a similar setup.

Keith H.

11/22/2025

@KateF I have a 2012 Toyota Tacoma Extended cab 4 wheel drive with an ARE fiberglass cap that is flush with the truck cap. I have two full length gutters installed along the outer edge of the top of the cap on both sides. They are attached with thru bolts in the top of the cap and sealed with silicon caulk - I've had no leaks in 13 years. The gutters are 45 inches apart measured from outer edge to outer edge. I have an old set of Thule square bars with gutter feet that were not rated to carry the pair of Hobie Compass kayaks I purchased last year. Because of the Compass weight of 68 pounds I was not going to be able to mount two sets of Thule Hullavators on my old square bars. I had hoped to be able to use a new set of Thule SquareBar Evo's but they did not come in a size that would fit the 45 inch gutter spacing I have on my cap when using a set of gutter feet for the square bar. I ended up getting a set of 69 inch ProBar Evos. I trimmed them to 55 inches (end cap to end cap) and with a new set of Thule 5" rapid gutter feet I was able to mount 2 sets of used Thule Hullavators I found here in Vermont. The over hangs as mounted meet the installation specs and the weight of the installed rack, hullavator and kayaks is right at the upper limit per the Thule specs too. I have hauled the Hobies on this set up for over 5000 miles, much of it at highway speed. I've had no issues and my old back appreciates the ease with which I can load and unload the Compasses. I also have enough room between the kayaks so I can climb up on the cap and get a foot between them to add some extra straps to secure them for long hauls. I was told by the dealer I purchased the ARE cap from that the weight capacity up top was 800 pounds. I haul the Compasses upside down which seems to produce a little less wind noise.

Kate F.

11/24/2025

@KeithH Thanks for sharing all those details Keith! That’s a really helpful breakdown of your setup. It sounds like you found a great solution with the ProBar Evos and Thule 5" rapid gutter feet, and it’s great to hear they’ve held up well with the Hobies even at highway speeds. Mounting the Compasses upside down for less wind noise is a great tip too. Can't go wrong with the Hullavators, back saver for sure! Thanks again =)

Keith H.

11/26/2025

@KateF Kate I have a photo I was going to include but had trouble downloading it?