Recommended Roof Rack For Installing A Yakima ShowDown Kayak Carrier On A 2021 Toyota Highlander

Question

Question:

My Highlander has flush rails, and i need the Yakima Showdown because Im old and short. What crossbars/towers system should I purchase to be compatible with both my car and the Showdown? Also, Im handy with hand tools, so is this an installation that I could do myselfboth the crossbars and the Showdown? Thanks.

asked by: Juju

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

For your 2021 Toyota Highlander with flush mounted rails I recommend the Roof Rack by Yakima which includes:

Yakima HD Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 55" Long - Qty 2 # Y01156
SkyLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars # Y53TR
Landing Pad 28 for Yakima SkyLine And Control Towers - Qty 4 # Y66VR
HD Bar SL Adapter # Y03541

The Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs # Y04081 will clamp onto the crossbars of this roof rack system for an easy peasy installation. You will need to ensure that the crossbar extends at least 3.5" past the feet for the ShowDown to have enough clearance when lowering down. If needed you can offset the crossbars more to one side to achieve this.

The crossbars will also need to be spaced at least 24" apart as well.

The installation of both of these systems can easily be done at home and I've attached some videos below to help walk you through the process.

expert reply by: Kevin C

1

Debbie

9/17/2024

Will the yakima showdown fit on the skyline tower

Reply

Kevin C.

9/17/2024

@Debbie No, the Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Roof Rack and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs # Y04081 requires a crossbar that extends past the towers so that it won't scrape the side of your vehicle as you raise or lower it with the kayak. The connection point closest to the outside of the vehicle would sit outside the tower and the other connection point of the ShowDown would sit inside the towers on the crossbar.

Reply

Debra G.

9/17/2024

@KevinC Which rack do we need for the Ford F150 2022 so we can use the showdown?

Reply

Kevin C.

9/18/2024

@DebraG Since you have a truck you would want to go with a ladder rack instead since the roof rack options compatible with the ShowDown # Y04081 and your F-150 would require you to drill into the roof of the cab. What is the length of the bed, do you have or want to install a tonneau cover in the future, do you have a camper shell on the bed, what price range would you like to stick around?

Helpful Links

tv-review-yakima-showdown-kayak-sup-carrier-y04081.aspx

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See All (7) Replies to Debbie ∨

Answer 1

Great question, but long story short yes you can use two of the 80 inch Yakima CoreBars part #8880656 to carry two of the Yakima ShowDown kayak carriers part #Y04081 that you mentioned. This would easily allow both racks to fit as the carrier only…

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Answer 2

This will be an extremely tight fit, but you should be able to put two Yakima ShowDowns, part #Y04081 on a pair of Thule 78 inch crossbars equipped to your 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. If you actually have a set of 80 inch bars, you won't have any…

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Answer 3

The Yakima ShowDown part #Y04081 can fit Thule crossbars but the rack can't fit on roof racks that use door jambs as the attachment. So if your 2014 Honda has flush mounted roof rack that your Thule rack attaches too the Yakima Showdown part…

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Answer 4

Yes, I have listed for your below the roof rack systems from Rhino-Rack, Thule, and Yakima that will fit the RetraxPRO XR Hard Tonneau Covers like part #RTT-80243 for your 2019 Ram 1500. Rhino-Rack Vortex Crossbar System part #RRVA180B-RRRLT600…

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Answer 5

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 6

You're welcome Chad, and I'm happy to help. Starting off with the ladder rack, you're going to need the Thule TracRac SR Sliding Truck Bed Ladder Rack w/ Cantilever #TH43002XT-508EX. This mounts to the top of the bed rails so you will be…

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Answer 7

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 8

Hey Chad, so I'd actually recommend a mid size ladder rack like the Yakima OutPost HD Overland Truck Bed Rack #Y01152-58. This is by far going to be your best bet if you don't want to trailer your kayaks. These bars have a 500 lb weight…

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Answer 9

Hey Chris, Because the Thule TracRac TracONE Truck Bed Ladder Rack #TH27000XTB clamps to the lip of the bedrails it won't be compatible with any tonneau cover. You would need Thule's stake pocket mounted version the TracRac SR #TH43002XT-508…

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Answer 10

For a roof rack to be compatible on your 2020 Jeep Wrangler with Sky One-Touch Power Top, it can't be mounted on the top of the roof and it needs to be high enough for the folding roof to clear. What you need are tall gutter-mounted roof racks.…

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Answer 11

Because the Retrax PRO MX Tonneau Cover #RT80467 for the 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 covers the bed rails, you would not be able to use a ladder rack like the Thule TracRac #TH27000XT since that rack requires the use of the bed rails. The only tonneau…

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Answer 12

For your setup I recommend the TrackTowers for Yakima Crossbars and Platforms - Track Mount #Y52AV which includes everything you need to mount Yakima crossbars to your Retrax cover (unless you plan on using the Round or HD bars - then you'll need…

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Recommended Roof Rack For Installing A Yakima ShowDown Kayak Carrier On A 2021 Toyota Highlander

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