Thule 897XT Hullavator Kayak Roof Rack Mount Carrier Review
Thule 897XT Hullavator Kayak Roof Rack Mount Carrier Feature
- Load and unload kayaks are waist level, at the side of the vehicle for greater convenience and safety
- Gas-assist struts lift and lower 40 pounds of kayak's weight--making it easy for one person to load
- Double extending arms lower the kayak by up to 40 inches for faster loading and unloading
- Fits Thule rack systems and round bars only
- Includes all straps to transport 1 kayak; up to 2 carriers per vehicle; limited lifetime warranty
The Thule 897XT Hullavator Kayak Roof Rack Mount Carrier is a lift assist carrier that allows for easy side loading and unloading of all sorts of kayaks, including tandems, by a single person. Designed around a combination of retractable double arms that extend down the side of your vehicle from your roof rack and a built-in gas-assisted lifting system, the Hullavator lowers the cradling platform of the carrier by 40-inches and lifts up to 40 lbs of a kayaks weight allowing for easy loading by virtually any single paddler. Additional features include: 8 touch points of padded support, aluminum double coated steel construction for corrosion resistance, accommodation of kayaks up to 34-inches wide and 75 lbs and compatibility with Thule rack systems and round bars.
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A Revolutionary Roof Rack Mount Carrier for Single Paddlers
One of the great things about kayaking is that virtually anyone who can dip a paddle into the water can be successful at it, but some paddlers who make the leap to owning their own boat, and thus having to transport it themselves, can find that without the help of a second pair of hands or a certain amount of upper body strength, it can be difficult to lift and lower boats to and from their rooftop racks. Lifting and lowering can also sometimes be a strain for even two pairs of hands in the case of tandem boats. The Thule 897XT Hullavator Kayak Roof Rack Mount Carrier changes all that with an ingenious lift system that allows virtually any single paddler who can raise or angle their boat only a few feet off the ground using a grab handle can secure their boat all the way up to their roof rack in minutes without any help.
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The Thule 897XT Hullavator features retractable double arms mounted to your roof rack and an integrated gas-assisted lifting system. The two arms contain cradles and integrated support with eight padded touch points and the aluminum double-coated steel construction. Together these serve as the cradle for your kayak and work with the gas-powered lifting system to lower the height the boat will need to be raised to eventually secure it on your roof rack up to 40-inches. Following installation, a squeeze of an outward facing handle extends each arm individually down the side of your vehicle. Once both are down users can either lift the boat straight up from the outer edge of the cockpit, or carefully lift the boat up at an angle and into the rear cradle by its front grab handle, then lift the boat from the rear grab handle and push it forward until fully supported by and centered between both arms. Once your boat is secured to both cradles with the included straps, attach the bow and stern tiedowns with ratcheting hooks at the end. Now, simultaneously squeeze the handle at the end of each arm to activate the gas-assisted lifting system and the retractable arms and the kayak will rise to the top of your roof rack. The gas-assisted system provides 40 lbs. of the lifting power needed, with you providing the rest as needed with a gentle push. Latch the retracted arms to the carrier with a downward pull of both handles and insert the pin-based safety clip to ensure it stays in place. Finally, attach the ratcheting hooks at the ends of both bow and stern tiedowns to your vehicle bumper or tow hook and pull the free end of the rope to the desired tightness. Unloading a kayak is just as easy with steps repeated in reverse, and again, only requiring a single person.
Key Features
- Gas-assist struts lift and lower 40 lbs of the kayaks weight, allowing only one person to load and unload the kayak
- Load and unload kayaks are waist level, at the side of the vehicle for greater convenience and safety
- Double extending arms lower the kayak by up to 40-inches for faster loading and unloading
- 8 touch points of padded support for maximum protection for your kayak
- Aluminum, double coated steel construction for corrosion resistance deliver a longer product life
- Carries 1 kayak and requires only 1 person to load and unload
- Up to 2 carriers per vehicle
- Includes all straps to transport 1 kayak
- Accommodates kayaks up to 34-inches wide and 75 lbs
- Fits Thule rack systems and round bars only
- Locks to the base rack load bars using a two pack of Thule locks (sold separately)
Specifications
- Carry Type - Horizontal
- Load Capacity Water Craft - 1 kayaks
- Factory Rack Mounting - No
- Fits Aero Profile - Yes
- Fits square bar - Yes
- Lockable - Yes
- One Key System Compatible - No
What's in the Box
Thule 897XT Hullavator Kayak Roof Rack Mount Carrier, instructional guide and warranty information.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Thule will warranty all Thule brand car rack systems and its accessories manufactured by Thule during the time that an original retail purchaser owns the product. This warranty terminates if a purchaser transfers the product to any other person. No warranty is given for defects caused by normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, accidents, unlawful vehicle operation, or modification of, or any types of repair of a load carrier system other than those authorized by Thule.
About Thule
Thule was founded in 1942 by the Thulin family, when Eric Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a pike trap he designed and began to sell in Scandinavia. It wasn't long before he added other practical items to the company's portfolio. By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate on car-related products, including its first roof rack. The Thulin family sold Thule to the publicly listed company Eldon in 1979, and it has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions ever since. The Thule Group is a world leader in providing transport solutions for an active life.
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