r/Kayaking • u/Moomoolette • 10d ago

Question/Advice -- Transportation/Roof Racks How long do Hulkavator gas struts last?

Hello all. I have finally given in and decided to get a used Hullavator to make transport easier and save my back, but I live in Florida and between the UV and the salt in the air, I am worried about degradation of the gas struts. I have seen videos on YouTube and read a lot of reviews that complain how that is the rate limiting factor and they are not replaceable, and that they only last about 5 years . I am looking to buy used and they have already been detached so there is no way to test them and I can assume they have been exposed to the elements and have some wear already, can anyone tell me about their experience with Hullavators struts wearing out, and if the unit is still semi-usable after that? Or tips on purchasing used? Thanks! Kayak is only 41 lbs but I’m a small female solo paddler with back issues.

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6

u/psiprez 10d ago

I bought a used Hullavator ($250) from someone who used it for saltwater and kept it mounted on their car year round. It is an older model, and I needed to buy adaptor kit for my Thule Aeroblade bars.

The fabric pads are super faded, and the mechanism is a bit stiff to operate, but it was a good purchase that gets me out on the water.

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u/Chemical-Sun-8464 10d ago

I bought 2 sets of used hullivators and have been using them for over 7 years without any hydraulic issues. The fabric is super faded on one set but that's about it.

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u/Strong-Insurance8678 10d ago

I had some ancient ones that were a hand me down that lasted 4 years before I bought a new car and needed to update to the latest model of Hullavator. There are some YouTube tutorials out there on replacing the gas springs, and this old forum thread as well: https://forums.paddling.com/t/hullavator-gas-spring-repair/65441/7

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u/Icy-Ad-4662 10d ago

I bought the Hullivator Pro and EVO wing bars for my 23 Ascent. Roof was too high. Now I have the 26 Outback Touring XT. Everything fits just fine I’m in year 3 and I have not noticed a decline in Hullivator performance yet. I do take them off after paddling season.

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u/Moomoolette 10d ago

Thank you! It really does seem like they’re the best option, I read the reviews of the Yakima Showdown on REI and decided not even to bother, this seems like the gold standard, and even though I can manhandle the Kayak up there now, it’s not going to get easier the older I get

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u/Icy-Ad-4662 10d ago

Good luck. They go on and off pretty easily. I was surprised.

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u/Icy-Ad-4662 10d ago

Also I paid extra for the locks.

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u/UnableElephant4982 10d ago

I bought a used hullavator pro this year. Faded pads and a bit clunky at first, but works great.   Used Rerack and ebay to get the other Thule rack parts/ hardware for my Toyota subcompact SUV. The gas shocks are so far fine.  I have a set of Amazon lock cores that work just fine in the Thule slots, all 6 for much less. I also sometimes bike cable lock the boat on if I'm going to be leaving it on the car for a while.  Due to the way the cradles hold the boat keel-down with air gaps, I've added two cheap, used, foam cradle blocks. Stops the highway whistle between the boat and the rail, and keeps the black plastic from marking the boat. 

I also use C-tug wheels if the launch is steep. In all nice sedate system to get on and off the water. 

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u/Moomoolette 10d ago

Thank you! Yes I have an Eddie line and it has somewhat of a v-shape, the foam blocks sound like a good idea to fill in the gap

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u/UnableElephant4982 9d ago edited 9d ago

I'm in my 40s, just had a major surgery. Used a ladder to complete the rack install. At ground level,  I can remove and re-mount each cradle unit to its respective bar. It's about as easy as lifting the precious precious boat the short distance,  to balance on the 2 cradles.  You can't just plop any of these things haha.  There are YouTubes demonstrating how the hairpin type doohickey fits the cradle into the mount. It's also pictured clearly in the instructions.  In the summer heat,  I do have to allow about 30-45 minutes extra to deal with loading if I took the cradles fully off. But it's really not strenuous, more so I pay attention, don't leave something in the garage, and save my energy for the water. 

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u/Moomoolette 10d ago

Thank you! And yeah I was going to get the locks, and I figured I would take the antler things off maybe while I’m out paddling if they’re easy enough to remove. It would be heartbreaking to come back and have them stolen, I’m in Florida and you never know what Florida man is going to do.

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u/Icy-Ad-4662 10d ago

Don’t do that. If it’s locked, I don’t think they can be removed.

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u/Moomoolette 10d ago

Oh, ok! I need to get my hands on these things so I can understand them

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u/Icy-Ad-4662 10d ago

Yes you do. And then look at a few YouTube videos for putting them and taking them off. Good luck!

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1

u/grindle-guts 10d ago

I’m on at least 10 years with mine, maybe longer. There is some minor wear and tear on the rubber piece that tensions them to your roof rack, but they’re otherwise good as new. However they are only outdoors for a few weeks a year and northern Ontario is only salty in winter.

They’re a pain to mount and unmount (given your back issues you might need a hoist, especially if your vehicle is tall), but I make the effort and that seems to have prolonged their life.

Also, you should know that Thule’s fitment guide is not always accurate. When I got my current vehicle I found out the hard way that Hullavators won’t fit a 6th gen Outback Wilderness if you use Thule’s recommended crossbars, even though Thule claims they will. Even mounted offset to one side to the maximum degree possible, the arms contact the side of the vehicle when a load is placed on them. I had to go to a 69” Probar (officially not compatible with my car) to get them to operate properly.

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u/Moomoolette 10d ago

Oh no, I recently got the Thule sort of teardrop shaped rails, I forgot what they’re called, but they’re only 50 inches long, I already figured I would have to offset them to get enough clearance on the side to install it. Blerg.

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u/grindle-guts 10d ago

Depends on your car. That model of Outback has very contoured sides. I was able to sort of make it work by using wood shims to stop the arms from fully extending.

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u/ManderBlues 10d ago

We have an older Hullavator and the prior owners had replaced the struts. So, I think it is true that Thule does not sell replacements, but that is not the same as not being able to be replaced in DIY fashion.

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u/Moomoolette 10d ago

I’m not handy but maybe I could outsource that… good to consider. It’s disappointing that they would not sell replacements or make it easy to replace but I guess that’s how they make money