What Roof Rack Can I Use with the Thule Hullavator on My 2022 Toyota Highlander with Flush Rails?

Updated 03/12/2022 | Published 03/11/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Roof Rack and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Universal Mount

(114)

$899.95

Thule One-Key System Lock Cylinders - Qty 2

(755)

$54.95

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

(602)

$269.95

Yakima Same Key System (SKS) Lock Cores (QTY 2)

(464)

$49.95

Yakima Same Key System (SKS) Lock Cores (QTY 4)

(464)

$69.95

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

(65)

$274.95

Landing Pad 28 for Yakima SkyLine And Control Towers - Qty 4

(910)

$143.95

Question:

Thank you for your excellent and quick response. Some questions: Since you are saying both Y00152 and Y00148 fit the 2022 Toyota Highlander, if both are available which am I better off buying and why? You recommended the Yakima Same-Key Locks Y07204. The product information for the Y00152 towers says to use locks Y07202. Do both fit? Which am I better off buying and why? Thank you greatly!

asked by: Ed G

Helpful Expert Reply:

I have a great solution for your flush rails on your 2022 Toyota Highlander to use the Hullavator # TH898. Yakima temporarily discontinued the Y00148 because they are updating the feet to fit a wider range of vehicles. Yakima has been changing a lot of fitments lately because of this factor. The landing pads # Y66VR are separate from the Y00148.

However, with that being said, Yakima does have a roof rack system that fits your flush rails with a different model of feet. For that system, I confirmed with Yakima that you need the following parts:

- Yakima JetStream Crossbars - 60" # Y00426
- x2 of the Yakima SkyLine Towers # Y53TR
- Landing Pad 28 for Yakima SkyLine And Control Towers # Y66VR
- Yakima Same-Key Locks # Y07204

With this setup, the larger 60-inch crossbars will definitely give you the required 4-inch minimum crossbar space on either side of your roof rack to use the Hullavator. Also, since the bottom channels on the JetStream crossbars extend the entire length of the bar, there is no worry about having a long enough channel to connect to the SkyLine towers. I went ahead and linked a video that shows 60-inch crossbars on a 2021 Toyota 4Runner model with flush rails. The length/installation process is nearly identical when attached to your Highlander.

As far as locks, the Yakima Same-Key Locks lock the towers your roof so that someone cannot take any component of the roof rack without a key. I went ahead and attached a video that shows this.

As for the Hullavator, that is locked with the addition Thule Same Key Lock Cylinders # TH450200. This secures the carrier to the roof rack. Technically, someone could wiggle the kayaks out of the cradles, but it will be extremely difficult to do so with the Hullavator arms locked and tightened.

expert reply by: Bob C

Ed G.

1/1/0001

Bob C.

3/12/2022

No problem! Thanks for the kind words. As far as the Baseline towers Y00148, they have been discontinued until further notice because there have been design changes at Yakima of those towers. With that being said, x2 sets of the Skyline Towers # Y00152 is the best and only way to go. As far as weight capacity, the Skyline setup provides you with 165 pounds of total capacity. This is the exact same as the capacity that would include the Baseline towers. Other than minor differences in the design, the Skyline towers provide virtually the same support/fitment as the discontinued Baseline towers. As far as the locks, the Yakima Same-Key Locks # Y07202 include only a quantity of 2 locks for the SkyLine Towers # Y00152. However, since you need 4 total Skyline towers, you need the need the set of 4 total locks with part # Y07204. The locks are the exact same, they just come with 2 more to fit all of the Skyline towers you need.