Question: Is it safe to use two Hullavator racks for two kayaks on one vehicle (specifically 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness?) Answer from Thule: Apparently not.
I’ve recently had an interesting back-and-forth with Thule 's main office about using two Hullavators on my vehicle. This started with a question about crossbar width, but became focused on the use of two Hullavators on one vehicle. Their bottom line is, even if the total weight capacity of one’s rack system exceeds the weight capacity of two Hullavators, they do not recommend using two because they haven’t tested this configuration. I got a very clear warning not to do so, with the explanation that “we do not test for a pair of Hullavators.”
One would think they would be interested in increasing sales, at $899 per side of the Hullavator, plus approximately $500 for a set of their crossbars and feet. So, this is apparently a serious enough issue that I would be sent a warning against using two of their racks.
If this is a problem, Thule should be warning all purchasers against using two of their racks on one vehicle, as well as following through on a legal obligation they have to notify the CPSC (–as long as they are in effect, at least) and states’ attorney generals of this safety issue.
I’ve run two Tooenjoy racks on several different vehicles with no problem over at least 10,000 miles. These racks are about 50% heavier (welded steel) than the Thule product. Their (Tooenjoy) helpdesk was very supportive of using two racks on one car, providing me with helpful information. Why consider a move away from the Tooenjoy? My wife isn’t large enough to pull the Tooenjoy rack down, with or without a boat on it.
I’m curious if anyone has received explicit information from a dealer or from Thule concerning this? Any paddling lawyers out there with comments? Given this information, what would be one’s legal risk of running two Hullavators on one vehicle?