Recommended Crossbars for Carrying Kayaks on 2004 Kia Sorento

Updated 06/05/2020 | Published 04/09/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima CoreBar Crossbar - Steel - Black - 70" Long - Qty 1

(118)

$117.67

etrailer Kayak Carrier w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On

(219)

$129.99

Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack - Aero Crossbars - Raised Side Rails - Aluminum - 58" Long - Silver

(1701)

$233.95

Question:

Hi, I have a 2004 kia Sorento with factory install roof rack. I recently purchase 2 kayaks that side by side are 69inch with a combine weight of 130lb. I need a wider crossbar than the one I currently have in the car. what do you have that can help ?

asked by: Lucas C

Expert Reply:

The longest crossbars available for your Sorento are 58 inches long, but if you used a carrier like the # e98878 that carried the kayaks on their sides you'd be able to fit both on your roof. You'd need two carriers, but each has plenty of capacity to handle the 65 lb weight of each kayak.

Since your crossbars won't extend past the rails they attach to, you would need a longer crossbar. I'd recommend # MPG216 from Malone, which are 58 inches long, have a 165 lb capacity and would work well with the carriers I recommended. The carriers also include straps for securing the kayaks to the carrier and bow/stern tie-downs.

I've linked to product description videos for the carriers and the crossbars I recommended.

expert reply by: Mike L

Kristin

5/30/2020

Can a 70" crossbar fit a 2016 kid sorento?

Chris R.

6/3/2020

You could physically put 70" crossbars on the roof of your Sorento, but the issue is that they may exceed what the law allows. Crossbars shouldn't extend past the length of your factory side mirrors, and I think 70" bars on your Sorento might be pushing that requirement. What are you looking to mount onto the rack?

Kristin

6/3/2020

2 Yakima showdown load assist

Chris R.

6/5/2020

Are you asking if two of the Yakima ShowDown Kayak Carrier # Y04081 can be mounted to your roof? Each of the carriers takes up close to 40" of crossbar space, so I'm not sure you'd be able to get long enough crossbars on your Kia Sorento to make this possible. I think a better option is the Malone DownLoader Carrier # MPG114MD-351XL with an extra set of J-Style Cradles # MPG114MD.