Can A Thule Hullavator Be Installed On A Roof Rack With Less Than 4" Of Overhang?  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hi Lisa!

The 4" minimum overhang isn't necessarily a recommendation. Anything under than and the Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Roof Rack and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Universal Mount # TH898 could potentially hit your 2022 Ford Explorer when lowered. That would be a pretty terrible thing to have happen. Is there any way you can have the crossbars offset to one side to get that 4" overhang? If there isn't, or you were wanting to put one on each side, you have two options.

First would be a roof rack with longer crossbars. You could use 71" Rhino-Rack Sportz Aero Crossbar - Aluminum - Black - Qty 2 # RR25AG with the Rhino-Rack RX100 Legs for Vortex Crossbars and Pioneer Platforms - Raised Factory Side Rails - Qty 4 # RR97AP and you would have plenty of room. I checked and your Explorer is 78.9" wide without mirrors and 89.3" wide with mirrors, so you wouldn't be sticking out too far. Just keep in mind that this set up will only fit with factory raised rails on your roof. If you have a naked roof, let me know and I can put something else together.

If you didn't want to go that route, we also have the MOS UpLift Roof Rack Lift Assist - Clamp On # MR39ZV. This can be mounted inside the uprights/towers of your current roof rack and extends out further than the Hullavator. I actually think it's easier to lower and raise then the Hullavator as well. You would still need to add a kayak carrier to it and I like the Thule DockGlide Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Universal Mount # TH896.

What kind of kayak are you wanting to carry?

expert reply by: Lazer S

0

Thule Hullavator Overhang
(click to enlarge)

Lazer S.

9/12/2025

Hey Lisa, Did you find a solution for installing the Thule Hullavator on your Explorer? I'm curious to know if the offset crossbars or the alternative roof rack setup worked for you, as it could help others with similar setups.

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