Can 2 Yakima ShowDown Carriers be Used on a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Updated 04/08/2019 | Published 04/06/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Roof Rack and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Clamp On

(23)

$648.95

Landing Pad 18 for Yakima SkyLine and Control Towers - Qty 4

(910)

$143.95

Yakima JetStream Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 60" Long - Qty 2

(602)

$269.95

Yakima JayLow Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On

(155)

$238.95

Yakima Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style w/ Rollers - Clamp On

(46)

$337.90

BaseClip Fit Kit for Yakima BaseLine Roof Rack Towers - Qty 2

(887)

$71.95

BaseLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Naked Roofs - Qty 4

(88)

$274.95

SkyLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Fixed Mounting Points, Flush Rails, and Track Systems - Qty 4

(65)

$274.95

Question:

Can two Yakima ShowDowns be mounted on the standard Mopar cross bars on a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. If it matters the kayaks have a 29inch beam.

asked by: James H

Expert Reply:

To use the Yakima ShowDown # Y04081 you would need a roof rack where the crossbars extend past the legs at least 3-1/2". From what I can tell, the Mopar roof rack for your 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee has crossbars that end where the legs fit. I do have a solution for you to carry your kayaks but when I reached out to my contact at Yakima she said you would need to at least use their 70" crossbar and that 2 of the ShowDown carriers will be at least 80" wide when placed side by side. Because of this neither of us recommend going with 2 of the ShowDown carriers.

What I recommend using instead is a ShowDown Carrier # Y04081 with the Kayak Carrier # Y04083-04082. This gives you 2 easy loading options that will fit with the Yakima 60" crossbars. This setup is only possible if you have the black and chrome flush mount rails on your roof (see attached picture). If you do have these then you can use the Yakima roof rack with the Black # Y00426, JetStream bars along with the SkyLine Towers # Y53TR, and Landing Pad 18 # Y00244.

If you don't have the flush mount rails then you will need to go with the BaseLine Towers # Y28TR and BaseClip Fit Kit # Y06121 with either of the 60" JetStream bars mentioned above. You may be able to use 2 of the carrier # Y04083-04082 but that depends on how wide your kayaks are. You may need to use 1 of them and a J-Style carrier like the JayLow # Y04073 instead.