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. I�m 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
>