Opening Rear Hatch with Kayak on Roof
07-05-11, 06:00 PM
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Opening Rear Hatch with Kayak on Roof
I would like to carry my kayak on top of my RX. It is 17.5 feet long so it sticks way past the back of the car. It looks to me like the rear spoiler may hit the kayak before the liftgate is fully opened. The roof rack plus kayack saddles will lift to boat up a ways.
Has anyone have experience carrying long objects and opening the rear hatch?
Has anyone have experience carrying long objects and opening the rear hatch?
07-05-11, 06:28 PM
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Dennis, I've got 14.1 foot kayaks and can't open the hatch when I've got 'em up there. I don't know any way around it, and I don't want to force anything. Maybe your situation will be different, but I've just learned to live with it. Take care.
07-11-11, 03:25 PM
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Ive got the Thule Hullivator on my 04 RX330 & thats about the highest kayak roof rack available. Yes, the rear hatch does hit the kayak. But it opens it up enought that you can still get stuff from your trunk. just be sure not to use the power door button as it can damage the mechanics of the power door
07-11-11, 06:19 PM
#4
I have had canoes up there and never even thought about opening the hatchback! Why ask for trouble.
Helpful hint, NEVER use a bungie cord up there. I had one let go once with the hatch up, and it smashed the glass in a heartbeat. Luckily insurance covered it, otherwise I would have been out $900. It is some sort of special glass--very expensive.
Helpful hint, NEVER use a bungie cord up there. I had one let go once with the hatch up, and it smashed the glass in a heartbeat. Luckily insurance covered it, otherwise I would have been out $900. It is some sort of special glass--very expensive.
07-30-11, 04:17 PM
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Here's a photo of my '05 RX330 with a 17' P&H Scorpio on top; Thule 835PRO cradle.
As you can see, it was nearly impossible to open the hatch. Also, the factory crossbars are in the frontmost position, which wasn't forward enough, and didn't allow for a sufficient spread (was just 24"). It fit much better on my '02 RX300. I've read some people have removed the front rubber stops in the roof rails to allow for more spread, but I'm buying Thule crossbars instead...
Cheers!
As you can see, it was nearly impossible to open the hatch. Also, the factory crossbars are in the frontmost position, which wasn't forward enough, and didn't allow for a sufficient spread (was just 24"). It fit much better on my '02 RX300. I've read some people have removed the front rubber stops in the roof rails to allow for more spread, but I'm buying Thule crossbars instead...
Cheers!
09-17-11, 01:44 PM
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I also got the Thule Hull-a-Port PRO model 835PRO to carry my 17.5' kayak. It attaches to the factory aero crossbars. However, during a recent trip into Montana with some gusty crosswinds the forward rack slid towards the outside of the crossbar. There is quite a aerodynamic load on a kayak at 70 mph. I think I should have bought the Thule cross bars with a similar rack, the Lexus cross are a bit wobble. And the Thule cross bars would move the boat even higher.
With the boat tilted there was a reasonable rear hatch opening (I did hit my head a few times, but you learn). And the spoiler was a scratched a bit.
With the boat tilted there was a reasonable rear hatch opening (I did hit my head a few times, but you learn). And the spoiler was a scratched a bit.
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