Description

The Thule Hullavator Pro is a premium lift-assist kayak rack designed to make loading and unloading a kayak from a roof rack much easier—especially for one person or users who find lifting overhead difficult. It incorporates gas‐struts and articulating arms to bring the kayak down to a convenient height, reduces the strain, and secures the kayak safely for roof travel.

Key Features & Functionality

These are the standout features of the Hullavator Pro and how they work in practice:

1. Gas-Assist Load Assist

   • The rack has gas struts which help bear part of the weight of the kayak during loading/unloading. This reduces the lifting effort (you don’t need to hoist the entire weight over your head).

   • The assistance is typically about 40 lb of lift (≈ 18 kg) taken by the struts. The rest you still need to maneuver the kayak.

2. Double Extending Arms / Side-Loading Mechanism

   • When not in transport position, the rack arms can be swung out or down (side extension) so the cradle is lowered to near waist height—making it much easier to load/on/off from side of vehicle instead of over‐roof.

   • Arms can drop about up to 1 meter (≈ 3 feet) in many versions.

3. Padded Support with Multiple Touch Points

   • The rack holds the kayak by cradles (top & bottom) with padding at contact areas. There are 8 touch points of padded support to minimize rubbing, scratching, or damage to the hull.

   • The cradles are adjustable / expanding to accommodate different hull widths.

   • Corrosion Resistance

   • Because racks are exposed to weather, water spray, etc., Thule uses aluminum plus double‐coated steel, plus padded or rubber surfaces, protective covers, etc., to resist corrosion.

4. Straps and Tie Down Safety

   • Comes with bow & stern tie-downs (QuickDraw), and the long straps to secure the kayak to the cradles. Buckle bumpers to protect both kayak and vehicle. Optionally lockable with Thule’s One Key system.

5. Fold / Removal Options

   • The paddle arms (cradle parts) can be removed/separated so the rack body is lower profile when not in use. Users report being able to dismount the arms for vehicle height clearance (garage, etc.).

Strengths / Advantages

What makes the Hullavator Pro particularly good, especially compared to more basic kayak roof carriers:

• Ease of Use / Reduced Physical Strain
  The lift‐assist + side loading make it much more manageable for one person, shorter users, or anyone who struggles with lifting heavy kayaks over their head.

• Better Safety & Less Risk of Damage
  Because you’re lifting at waist height and allowing more controlled loading, there’s less risk of dropping the kayak, banging it into car roof, or hurting your back/shoulder.

• Secure Transport
  Good padding, locking tie-downs, compatibility with locks, etc., give a more secure load during transport.

• Quality Construction
  Built with materials that stand up to weather, durability, etc., which makes it a long‐term investment.

• Adaptability
  Fits wide kayaks; side arms adjust; works with many roof bar systems; ability to remove parts when not in use helps with storage or clearance.

Weaknesses / Limitations / What to Watch Out For

No product is perfect; these are the trade‐offs or drawbacks based on user reviews:

• Cost
  It is expensive. It occupies a premium tier for kayak racks. Some buyers feel the price is steep.

• Weight of the Rack Itself
  At ~ 17.5 kg / ~ 39-40 lbs, the rack is fairly heavy. Installation, mounting to bars, and removal of parts (if needed for storage) is non-trivial.

• Compatibility Requirements
  You need suitable roof rack crossbars (strength, width, profile) that allow the Hullavator arms to swing down beside the vehicle. Some roof racks are too narrow or are obstructed by vehicle trim. Also roof load capacity of vehicle must be sufficient.

• Overhang / Size When Extended
  When arms are extended (for loading), the rack swings out beyond the roof line by a considerable distance. That may interfere with nearby obstructions (trees, garage door frames, etc.). Also, when in stowed (transport) position, it can increase wind noise. Some users report squeaking or whistling.

• Load Limit vs Real Weight of Kayaks
  Just because the spec says ~ 77 lb capacity doesn’t mean you should load to that if the kayak is long, heavy, has heavy gear, or when wet. The lifting assist is only partial; the rest is still up to you. If you exceed load capacity regularly, you risk premature wear.

• Height Clearance
  With the rack + kayak installed, clearance height is increased, which may be a problem in garages, under drive-throughs, parking structures. The arms/cradles are removable but that means some disassembly when needing to reduce height.

Best Use-Cases / Who It’s Good For

The Hullavator Pro is particularly well suited for:

• Solo paddlers or people who often load and unload alone, especially where lifting overhead is difficult (shorter stature, less strength).

• Frequent kayak users (weekends, regular trips) who want convenience, speed, and less physical stress.

• People who transport medium to large single kayaks (up to ~35-40 kg), especially wide hulls, and want better protection for the kayak.

• Vehicles with strong roof racks and sufficient load rating, and users who can install or maintain the system.

• Locations where side access is possible (i.e., you have room to swing the arms out to lower the cradle to side waist height).

It is less ideal for:

• Users on very tight budgets who might be satisfied with simpler roof rack J-hooks or saddle racks.

• Those with very heavy tandem kayaks or with loads that greatly exceed the capacity, or who often carry two kayaks (because load + weight + roof limit get restrictive).

• Vehicles or roof racks that don’t allow enough clearance or have obstructions that block extension or can’t support sideways swinging.

• Occasional paddlers for whom the cost may not justify the convenience (if you rarely transport the kayak, basic racks may suffice).

Summary

The Thule Hullavator Pro is a high-end kayak carrier that significantly eases the burden of loading and unloading kayaks. With gas assist struts, side lowering arms, padded supports, and secure materials, it offers comfort, safety, and durability. It is especially valuable for one-person operation, older users, or frequent use. However, it comes at a premium cost, requires proper roof racks and vehicle capacity, and is fairly heavy and bulky.