Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2016 19:43:11 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Thule Hullavator Kayak Carrier
In-Reply-To: <D2E2BA4F.E09E%busboy-nh@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
For years I used the Yakima HullyRoller/saddle combo on my Westy
(https://www.yakima.com/hullyrollers-1pair). I mounted the rollers close to
the back, and it was easy to slide a 14' kayak on and off by myself. It
would be even easier on a tin-top.
There is no need to fear mounting the brackets
(https://www.yakima.com/widebody-brackets) for a rack on your Westy top,
it's very strong fiberglass, and you can even add "poptop shocks" of varying
strength to open the top with the kayak on: www.poptopshocks.com.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
David Weaver
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2016 7:23 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Thule Hullavator Kayak Carrier
I would much prefer to load/unload from the slider side for both convenience
and safety.
It tends to keep me further away from traffic at busier launch sites. Iım in
the Lakes Region of NH where we have far too many out-of-state drivers
staring at their cell phones or in-dash GPS to pay attention to anything
going on around them. The slider side also gives me easier access to my
gear.
Will not be carrying on my Westy as I do not want to drill the top to mount
the rack. A gutter mount is too much hassle when I want to open the poptop.
On 2/11/16, 9:37 PM, "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@comcast.net>
wrote:
> One of my customers has one on their Syncro Westy. I believe it is
> set up to pick the kayak up from the driver's side. Why not just do
> that instead of worrying about the sliding door?
>
> Ken
>
> On Thu, Feb 11, 2016, 8:48 PM David Weaver <busboy-nh@comcast.net> wrote:
>> Just curious if anyone has used a Thule Hullavator Kayak Carrier on a
>> tin top Vanagon. I can load my 12 foot kayak inside the van, but have
>> to remove the front seat to be able to close and lock the rear hatch.
>> Not the best arrangement, especially when you have a passenger.
>>
>> Also want to know if when mounted on the right side of the van
>> whether there is enough clearance to leave the slider open while the
>> rack is lowered to load or unload the kayak. The Thule website simply
>> says the rack fits the Vanagon, nothing more....
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Dave Weaver
>> Charlestown, NH
>>
>> 88 Vanagon GL
>> 90 Westy
>