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?
Among our Club members a number of people have been using two Hullavators on their vehicles for years with no problems. Sounds like typical CYA recommended by their lawyers for things that they haven’t specifically tested for. As long as the total weight does not exceed the vehicles roof and the rack system, I don’t see where there would be a problem.
If they were honest they could just say that they haven’t tested that configuration and don’t really know or have a fact based opinion.
Honestly we have carried two sea kayaks on the Outback and a Forester but not with the Hulivators.
We use the Hulivators on the truck where you use a hulivator that brings the kayak from a 7 ft loading height to chest high. Of course the truck rack is an adjustable Thule rack because the Hulivators didn’t work well with my Yakima round racks. That and the round racks were taller.
Hulivators sit on the rack outboard of the side of the vehicle. They are not compatible with the factory Subaru racks . The outboard mount is necessary for the cradle to unlock, rise up, pivot vertically and come down outside of the doors without touches ng the car/truck etc . The cradles are heavy. Two boats, and four cradles would be heavier than the Subaru roof rack capacities. I bought my Outback because it was low. I can’t reason why you’d need Hulivators on a Subaru.
To make it work you’d need a Thule rack with long bars. That might be easier than finding the towers and Q - clips to make it work with your gutter less roof line. That is probably the problem. I can see a conflict with the Subaru switch blade roof rack system.
Have hauled sea kayaks on the Hulivators these last7+ years, they’ve done 66,000 miles in front of the travel trailer.
I’m a Thule dealer, have been for 30+ years, and would never recommend two Hullavators on any car unless each of the two kayaks was under 40 pounds. The Hullavators weigh 40 lbs each set - two of them comes to 80 lbs. Thules’s standard load limit is 165 lbs, and the 80 lbs of Hullavators count against that, so you only have 85 lbs worth of kayaks to load there, and unless you’re buying a pair of Stellars, chances are you’re overloading the rack.
As my wife asks, why isn’t this public knowledge? We’ve spoken with two dealers who are not at all hesitant to sell two for use on one vehicle. There’s nothing about this in the install document we have for our first set. I just looked.
As others have noted, there sure are a lot of people driving lots of miles with a dual setup. Perhaps it’s good this is getting some visibility.
Yes, trailers exist. And, other sports exist. We’ll likely put the one we have on Craigslist and stick with the Tooenjoys.