Is this right for you? Product Expert Kathleen M says:
Yes, if you:
Have a very hard time lifting your boat up to your shoulders or higher and need a rack that can help you get it to your roof
Like the added benefit of being able to get the straps in place while the boat is in the lowered cradles instead of reaching across your roof
No, if you:
Battle to lift your kayak even to your chest - you might be better off with the Thule Hullavator because it drops down lower
Have a narrow roof and two boats that you need help lifting up - this rack takes up a lot of space
Have a factory roof rack - the bars need to overhang
Lightweight watersport carrier with lift assist lets you easily load 1 kayak or 2 SUPs onto your roof rack. Sliding arms let you load and secure gear at waist level, and then easily lift it onto your roof. Tie-downs included. Clamp-on installation. Great Prices for the best watersport carriers from Yakima. Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Roof Rack and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Clamp On part number Y04081 can be ordered online at etrailer.com or call 1-800-940-8924 for expert service.
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Reviews (13)
Q & A (0)
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Why etrailer?
Yakima Watersport Carriers
Kayak
Paddle Board
Roof Mount Carrier
Aero Bars
Round Bars
Square Bars
Elliptical Bars
Saddle-Style
Yakima
Side Loading
Clamp On
Load Assist
Lightweight watersport carrier with lift assist lets you easily load 1 kayak or 2 SUPs onto your roof rack. Sliding arms let you load and secure gear at waist level, and then easily lift it onto your roof. Tie-downs included. Clamp-on installation.
Features:
Carrier with lift assist lets you easily load 1 kayak or 2 SUPs onto your roof from the side of your vehicle
Sliding arms pull down 26" from roof so you can load and secure kayak at waist level
Push arms back up onto roof with boat loaded and secure with safety pins
Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Roof Rack and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Clamp On - Y04081
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (13 Customer Reviews)
Lightweight watersport carrier with lift assist lets you easily load 1 kayak or 2 SUPs onto your roof rack. Sliding arms let you load and secure gear at waist level, and then easily lift it onto your roof. Tie-downs included. Clamp-on installation.
by: Raul08/15/2022
Awesome paddleboard rack system...my wife loves it on her 2015 jeep wrangler..1358950
The Showdown has been great on my Subaru Ascent with Yakima Aero crossbar system. I use it for my 12 ft fishing kayak.1397525
by: Valerie 08/13/2022
I love that I don't have to use a step ladder to get my kayak up on my car! I thought I would be able to put my kayak on and off by myself, but apparently I'm not strong enough to lift it up to where it needs to be to push bar on top of car. That's the reason I gave it only 4 stars as the video showed a lady doing it by herself. Of course my kayak may be heavier than hers or she lifts weights. Otherwise, I love it!1356010
by: Jim 08/10/2022
We have done repeat business with etrailer over several decades. The deliver as promised, and their communication is better than any online company I have ever done business with.1351627
by: David08/15/2022
The Yakima ShowDown Kayak carrier is awesome. I'm 67 years young and with the ShowDown can load our 2 person (67Lbs) Ocean kayak all by myself. I would highly recommend the ShowDown and all Yakima products.1358784
by: Kathleen 12/05/2020
The ShowDown was easy to install and is easy to use. I am sorry I didn't get this Lift Assist sooner.919648
Comments
GREAT!! Im currently using it on top of a Jeep Gladiator.
Kathleen - 12/06/2021
127071
by: Ethan04/22/2022
I haven’t installed yet but excited to put them to use. Etrailer delivered quickly and everything looks like it’s in good shape. I plan on using for my Jackson Bug Tuna and Cresent Crew kayaks.1289133
by: James12/13/2021
Very disappointed with Yakima on this lift, it is difficult to use and not well made like the other Yakima kayak racks I have.1223344
by: Bill B09/22/2018
Building a van conversion on our 2015 Ford Transit wagon. My wife required one thing above all else, and that was a means to transport her kayak on our trips. Since the inside of the van will be set up as a mini-RV, the only place for a Kayak is on the roof... along with the Solar panel array, and the MaxxFan (also purchased from eTrailer). Somehow, I made it work after being told by some folks there wasn't enough room. You can see from the pic, it all does fit, and nicely I might add.
What made it possible is the use of the Yakima Showdown kayak mounting system.
The van is 8'2" tall. The only way to make this happen is with the Showdown, (or Hullavator) mounts. I like the idea of the Hullavator with the gas filled struts, but I don't like the price, or Thule engineering in general. I believe Yakima is far superior in all respects.
Admittedly, it's a bit more challenging to raise and lower the Yakima Showdown. Since my wife and I are tall people, the use of a small step stool makes it an easy task. The kayak is at chest height and very easy to load and secure with the straps.
The only part that's a bit difficult is raising it up level with the slide. Once it locks into the slide, the rollers make it a snap to slide it home. You then secure it with the attached pins that slip through the mechanism locking it into place. Done!
Lowering it is actually easier. The thing to remember is to pull it all the way out until you feel is stop, only then will it lower with ease. This is an easy trade off. I don't think the Hullavator is worth the money. I've used a friends and it's not really that much easier to raise and lower. Yes, the struts offset most of the weight, but it looks clunky with the lower bar always stuck up in the air. Just don't like it's looks.
Yakima Showdown was a no-brainer for us. 567934
by: Gregg 12/30/2020
etrailer always good. Yakima always goo d.931988
by: Paul 09/09/2022
1399335
by: Gary 10/05/2022
1439442
by: Heather 09/26/2022
1425573
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See what our Experts say about this Yakima Watersport Carriers
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 # Y04081 will fit. view full answer...
To add locks to the Yakima Showdown part # Y04081 that you referenced you'd want the part # Y07202 which comes with a lock core for each part of the carrier assembly. To install the lock cores you insert the blank change key that is included into a core and then insert the core into the carrier and once you pull the change key out it is installed into the carrier. view full answer...
You can definitely use the Yakima ShowDown # Y04081 with your setup as long as the Thule roof rack isn't installed using clamps for the doorjambs on your Super Duty and they have the 3-1/2" of overhang on both sides for the towers (see attached photo).
One thing to note is that the ShowDown weighs in at 21 lbs so with 2 of this system installed your roof rack capacity will be lowered by 42 lbs. view full answer...
I took a look at the Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs # Y04081 that you're interested in, and this kayak carrier will work with round, square, aero, and elliptical crossbars and will likely work just fine with your Rhino-Rack crossbars.
This kayak carrier has a carrying capacity of 80-lbs and measures 42" long x 9" tall x 9" wide.
If you're after something different, let me know and I'd be happy to get you sorted out. view full answer...
The Yakima ShowDown, part # Y04081 is 42 inches wide, and you'll only be able to fit one on your 2003 Honda Element because of the size. On the other end, you could use a J-Style carrier like the Yakima JayLow, part # Y04073 to carry your other kayak. This doesn't include full load support like the ShowDown but does have loading ramps to help guide the kayak up into the carrier.
I've included a video of the JayLow so you can see more about its features in action. view full answer...
According to Yakima, the Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier and Lift Assist # Y04081 will hang down 26 inches from the top of the crossbars.
I do recommend adding the Yakima SKS Lock Cores # Y07202 to lock the ShowDown to your rack and help protect your investment.
I have added a link to a video review for you to check out as well of the Yakima ShowDown # Y04081. view full answer...
You are right that the Hullavator isn't a good design for a stand-up paddleboard, but the Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier and Lift Assist # Y04081 is a great option.
When it comes to lift assists for a SUP the ShowDown is the best way to do it. While you are right that the ShowDown does not have gas struts, it does compensate for up to 45 percent of the SUP's weight, which is the most of any assist for a SUP.
I do recommend locking the ShowDown to your rack and protecting your... view full answer...
Yes. I confirmed with my contact at Yakima that the JayLow Kayak Carrier # Y04073 will fit within the 29-inch space between the end cap and the Showdown # Y04081 on your 2018 Ford Escape. view full answer...
I have a solution for you, but the Yakima ShowDown Kayak Lift, part # Y04081, is only compatible with roof racks that extend at least 3.5 inches past the tower. The factory roof rack for the 2007 Nissan Xterra is not a compatible fit.
If you're looking for load-assist, the next best fit for your goals is to use a roller-style mount, like the Yakima HandRoll, part # Y04082-2.
This rack will help you load by providing a set of rollers on the rear of the vehicle to help guide and support... view full answer...
The Yakima Baseline towers # Y28TR with the landing pad 19 will leave you about 5-1/4 inches from the top of your bar to the roof of your 2020 Honda CR-V. That being said the Yakima Showdown # Y04081 will sit about 9 inches up from the top of your bar when the kayaks are not loaded. view full answer...
Yes, Yakima does make the replacement felt pads for the Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier # Y04081. For those felt pads you want the Replacement Felt Pads for Yakima ShowDown Kayak Carrier # Y76KR. view full answer...
The Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs # Y04081 you asked about is compatible with square bars. The Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs # Y04081 will work with round, square, aero, and elliptical crossbars.
The Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs # Y04081 will work with your Thule square bars as long as the Thule roof rack isn't installed using clamps for the doorjambs on your vehicle and they have... view full answer...
I have a great solution for you. Check out the Yakima ShowDown part # Y04081. This is a similar lift-assist paddle board carrier that would work great for you. Check out the install video and picture I attached for more info.
Width wise the Thule Hullavator part # TH898 is compatible with paddleboards, but the issue is the vertical height. The J portion of the Hullavator, which is designed for cradling a kayak, would be to tall for a paddleboard as the board would slip right through since... view full answer...
Yes, the Yakima Showdown kayak carrier part # Y04081 can be installed on the Malone roof rack part # MPG216 which fits the raised side rails of your 2020 Subaru Forester.
I attached a picture that shows this carrier installed on a set of aero shaped crossbars like the Malone set.
I attached an install video link for the roof rack on a similar 2019 Subaru Forester as well as a review video for the kayak carrier for you to check out as well. view full answer...
The best and really only option to carry two kayaks on a 2006 Honda Odyssey with factory roof rack would be to use a set of j-style carriers, the etrailer J-Style Kayak Carrier part # e98878 is what I recommend. In regards to load assist, you really just don't have any good options.
The Yakima ShowDown Kayak won't work on a factory roof rack and you won't have enough room to fit two even if an aftermarket roof rack is used. view full answer...
Yes, the Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack part # MPG216 will fit your 2015 Toyota RAV4 Limited and it provides the necessary overhang of 3-1/2" that is needed for the Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier part # Y04081. Therefore, you can use the Malone AirFlow2 to install the Yakima ShowDown on your Toyota RAV4. This is an excellent combo for you to carry your kayak as the ShowDown will help with loading and the Malone AirFlow2 provides minimal wind noise due to the aero shaped bars and it's easy... view full answer...
If you are asking if the Yakima Showdown Kayak Carrier, part # Y04081, can carry two kayaks, then I'm afraid the answer is no, it cannot.
If you are asking if you can install two of these carrier on a roof rack, the answer is maybe. Most roof racks will be able to handle the weight of two of these and two kayaks. Unfortunately, since these are 42" long, most roof racks do not have the space to carry two.
Either way, there is a better option for you to carry two kayaks on your roof. It's... view full answer...
The Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier and Lift Assist part # Y04081 requires about 42" of crossbar space. Therefore, you'd wouldn't be able to realistically fit two side by side. I'd suggest using the etrailer J-Style Kayak Carrier part # e98878 for the other kayak. view full answer...
The Yakima Showdown # Y04081 can fit on bars up to 1.69" tall and 3.54" wide, and Thule doesn't publicize the dimensions of the bars on the Xsporter Pro 500 XT so you'd need to get some rough measurements to see if the Showdown will be able to clamp on. If you're not able to clamp on with the Showdown # Y04081 then a nice alternative that has the same basic functionality is the Thule Hullavator Pro # TH898; this carrier can be mounted in the channels on the bars of your Xsporter system... view full answer...
If you are trying to determine the overall height with a 96-inch high crossbar system, the total load height is 112 inches tall with the Hullavator # TH898 in the "home" position.
If you need a shorter alternative, I recommend the Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs # Y04081. With the ShowDown, your setup would only measure 105 inches tall. However, it is important to note that you still need at least 4 inches of crossbar space past the feet for the ShowDown... view full answer...
Since the Yakima Showdown part # Y04081 hangs over the crossbars quite a bit when installed and they are 42 inches long the best bar length for two of them would be 60 inch like you mentioned. So for that you'd want the # Y00426 if you had the Jetstream bar setup or the # Y00422 for the CoreBar since these are the only two bar styles from Yakima that are available in 50 inch and 60 inch. view full answer...
Thank you for that info, and based on my research you have the factory roof rack on your 2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback; while we do have an option for a paddleboard carrier that is compatible with your rack, the Yakima ShowDown # Y04081 is not because your rack does clamp to door jambs and its crossbars do not extend out past the feet, which is another requirement.
Instead, I did verify with Yakima that there is a paddleboard carrier you can use which will fit your Corolla's crossbars,... view full answer...
In order for the Yakima # Y04081 ShowDown kayak carrier/load assist to be compatible, your crossbars would need to extend at least 3-1/2 inches past the outside edge of the roof rack foot as shown in the provided diagram. I looked at online photos of the Honda Roof rack you described, and it appears that the crossbars don't extend past where they attach to the roof side rails, so the ShowDown wouldn't be compatible with your roof as it's currently configured.
However, all is not lost.... view full answer...
The Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier # Y04081 requires at least 3-1/2 inches of crossbar overhang beyond the feet/towers for proper operation. If the existing 58 inch bars on your F-250 overhang by just 1/16 of an inch then you will need bars that are longer by at least 7 inches.
For this requirement the Yakima Round 66 Inch Crossbars # Y00410 will work perfectly to mount 1 ShowDown Carrier (this is actually the size Yakima recommends for your F-250 when using the 1A Towers).
Now... view full answer...
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