Assisted Kayak Carrier Options for 2013 Ford Focus ST with Thule Roof Rack

Question:

Hi, I was wondering if this hitch can be used in conjunction with the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver Adapter - 1-1/4inch Class II to 2inch - 6inch Long Item # C45785 and the Rhino-Rack T-Load Hitch Mounted Load Assist and Support Bar for 2inch Hitches - 49inch Long item # RTL002? I see that for any non trailer activities a support strap is required to not void the hitch warranty. But the description on the strap page item # 18050 says this: This strap is recommended for use with bike racks and other hitch-mounted accessories to avoid putting too much strain on your trailer hitch. Some Class I and Class II 1-1/4inch hitches may require that you use a stabilizing strap to ensure that the hitch does not experience excessive torque while transporting your gear. However, keeping a strap on will not allow the device to properly work while loading and unloading. I will only be using the T-Load hitch load assist adapter when loading and unloading my kayak so there will not be any load on it while transporting since I have kayak holders on my roof rack already. I can keep the support strap connected while driving while the t-load hitch is attached to my hitch as well if that is recommended even with no load on it. Would this be okay? Reason for asking: Thinking of upgrading to a pedal kayak but they are all much wider than my current kayak. Currently I lay a towel on my roof between the cross bars and lift and slide the kayak up onto my cross bars and into the kayak holders that way, but I dont think a kayak 4-6 inches wider will fit or work well with this approach, and I cant seem to find any other solution for wider and heavier kayaks. Yakima Showboat looked like a great solution, but its about 35/36 inches from my rear cross bar to the end of my roof line which is too far for it to reach. Car is 2013 Ford Focus ST and I have Thule aero cross bars and Thule DockGlide kayak carrier. Current kayak Ocean Kayak Trident 11 weight is 71 pounds.

asked by: Frank

Expert Reply:

At one point Curt did require the use of the stabilizer straps with their 1-1/4 inch hitches like the # C11431 that you referenced but they recently got rid of this requirement. So if you used this hitch with the Curt hitch adapter part # C45785 and the Rhino Rack T-Load part # RTL002 you would not need to use the strap. You should note that this hitch is Class I and the hitch adapter you mentioned is for Class II only so you'd instead need the adapter part # HTAD which is compatible with the lower hitch Class.

Another assisted solution for kayaks is the Thule Hullavator kayak carrier part # TH898 which allows you to load the kayaks at about waist level and then use the gas assisted struts to easily push it up on to the roof. This would work great with your Thule Aero bar style roof rack as well. It has a 75 lb weight capacity so your 71 lb kayak would work great in that regard as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C