Need info on Buying Hullavator

I tried to get by without the Hullavator and bought the boat loader.  Unfortunately it doesn't protrude enough from the roof to make it easy to lean the kayak on.  The kayak is to wide and hits truck and spins around when trying to prop it up.  Also the front goal post is not as wide as the bars on the roof so I have to hold weight of kayak as I push over the hood at angle to get it on both.  I did make it work but very awkward and aggravated my shoulder and neck which is now radiating pain. 

I called REI but their sale doesn't include the Hullavator and no stores have it in stock.  It will be 20 percent off next month for the 898 (list price of $619).  I have seen 897 and 897xt for a couple hundred less but can't find what the differences are.  One site said there were cosmetic changes so no need to spend extra if that's the only difference.    Needs to fit the new outback so looking to see if others have similar wide kayak on a Chevy 2500.  Anyone have issues with this set up.  The manual says it needs 4-8" of bar sticking out and mine only has 3.5".  Would I have to slide bar out so other side is not even, get a longer bar or will it work as it is because there is not much of curve on the truck.  It says the extra bar length is so the Hullavator doesn't hit the car when pulled down. 

We are staying in Morgan Hill at a campground and they don't allow deliveries so may have to wait until I get home to order.   I will look around here and all the way to Santa Cruz and up to Monterey so let me know if anyone is aware of NCKA friendly shops that may have one in stock within a reasonable driving distance.  I would just put the kayak in the bed like I do when I am at home but my fifth wheel hitch is in the bed right now and it doesn't fit good.  I am saving my arm for the PIF paddle so just left the kayak on top of my truck like I had it for the trip.  My wife's lifting is limited to our 8 lb dog so if you see me struggling at the PIF event please help me before I drop the kayak on my head. 

897xt is the one you should be looking for.  Cheaper than the 898 and works fine for a hobie outback.

Book says 4" minimum sticking out, but I think 3.5" would be fine. you might need to make the bars slightly uneven.  As you said, it is so that when retracted down it doesn't hit your car.    The only way to really know is to install it then retract and load a kayak on it.  Make sure your bars are spread apart enough, they look pretty close from the pictures and I believe they need to be a minimum of 24" apart.

As for pricing, I'd get the cheapest 897xt you can get and be happy with that.  I do help people broker purchases of them from time to time, if you want info send me a message.  But my timing is worse than you can get locally.

Ben

Make sure a Hullivator will work with that configuration, as the load bars are further apart than normal. I only use one bar on my truck and the goal post; that's all I have done for a couple years now. You can also lower the front goal post bar one or two adjustments, it will help drag on yak to. I will help you if our schedules align.

Uneven bars work fine.  Just give the short side a few bumps from your palm while the feet are not tightened but after it is already on the roof.  I don't think there is any structural advantage to having overhang on the non-hullavator side.  It just takes a little wrestling to get a good overhang on the mount side, and it is going to depend on the shape of your roof and truck body.  You want them tucked in overhead when driving, but not hitting the side when dropped down.  And you may need a longer overhang on the front or rear bar, for example, because your roof does not have a straight edge, and you want to keep the front and rear hullavators parallel and the kayak straight.

I got my XT brand new-ish on the auction website for 425 shipped . . . .

Good info guys.  When I bought the kayak the guys helped me set up the Thule racks.  They set it up per instructions which was 13" from windshield.  Not sure on the second one. The first try I hung the kayak on one bar and more of it was hanging in front of the goal post.  On this trip I put on both bars and less of it was on the goal post.  I actually liked this way better as it had more tie down spots and felt more stable.  The bars and holders came in pairs so I used both.  I am only going to use the goal post on trips with the 5th wheel.  Hullavator sounds good for shorter trips. 

I will look at getting the XT model and will adjust the bars on roof as needed.  Thanks for the input.  I will get this dialed in at some point.  I will be more likely leaving my banks board at home if taking my kayak out gets easier. 

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/spo/5089075150.html

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/spo/5089075150.html

Exactly what I need.  If you come to the PIF event tomorrow you could bring it to me.  That would be great. 

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/spo/5089075150.html

Exactly what I need.  If you come to the PIF event tomorrow you could bring it to me.  That would be great.

Not going anywhere.
For whatever reason I had it in my mind you were going through Sac. Brain Freeze. Sorry.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/spo/5089075150.html

Exactly what I need.  If you come to the PIF event tomorrow you could bring it to me.  That would be great.

Not going anywhere.
For whatever reason I had it in my mind you were going through Sac. Brain Freeze. Sorry.

That's ok.  You wore yourself out last weekend.  I saw some new XT models for just over $400 delivered or I could pay $200 more for the new version which apparently I don't need.  If he gets no takers I may offer $300 and have someone pick it up on the way to the coast after I return. 

Thanks for keeping your eyes open. 

Thule Hullavator kayak carrier and accessories $350
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/spo/5129705515.html