Roof Rack & Kayak Carrier Options for 2011 Toyota Highlander Carrying Hobie Revolution 11 Kayaks  

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The specs for the Hobie Cat Mirage Revolution 11 kayak show a rigged weight of 81-lbs and a fitted hull weight of a still-substantial 64-lbs, so two of these very nice kayaks could put a total weight load on your Highlander that is near or at its maximum roof weight capacity. This is something you will want to check in your Toyota owner's manual. Note also that if you use rack-mount kayak carriers these too add weight load to the vehicle. The total combined weight of everything on the roof must remain within the vehicle specs, including an aftermarket roof rack.

Please also note that most rack-mount kayak carriers top-out at a 75-lb weight limit for each boat.

Roof racks for your Highlander are shown on the linked page. Simply click on the type of roof configuration you have to see all of the roof rack options appropriate for that roof type. Most roof racks offered for the vehicle has a maximum weight capacity of 165-lbs.

The easiest loading will come from a side-loading J-style carrier like the Swagman Contour # S65148. This carrier weighs only about 14-lbs but it does offer a 100-lb kayak weight capacity. This carriers fits on all bar shapes so it will work with any roof rack you choose.

If you find that the boats' total weight is too much to use a roof rack and rack-mount carriers then your best option is a foam block type carrier that does not require a roof rack. Foam carriers like # MPG152 weigh almost nothing at all so they will leave more of the roof capacity for the kayaks.

expert reply by: Adam R

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