What Kayak Carrier do You Recommend for My 2018 Toyota Prius Prime?  

Question:

Expert Reply:

I have a kayak transporting solution for you. You are absolutely correct in saying that the Toyota owner's manual for the 2018 Toyota Prius Prime does not recommend towing for your vehicle. With that being said, going against the manufacturers recommendations can be extremely dangerous and we here at etrailer strongly advise against it. It can also possibly void any warrantees you have on the vehicle.

However, there are definitely some safer options for transporting your kayaks. For that route, I recommend a roof rack setup with a kayak carrier. The available roof racks we carry for your vehicle depend on if you have a glass roof.

If you do not have a glass roof on your vehicle, I recommend the following setup:

- Thule WingBar Evo Crossbars - Aluminum - Silver - 53" # TH711400
- Evo Clamp Feet for Thule Crossbars - Naked Roofs # TH710501
- Fit Kit for Thule Evo Clamp Roof Rack Feet - 5029 # TH145029
- Thule One-Key Locks # TH450400

With the Thule WingBar Evo setup, you receive the benefit of an extremely aerodynamic system that leads to a quieter ride and better fuel efficiency. It also is compatible with many accessories such as kayak carriers, bike racks, and cargo boxes. This setup provides you with 130 pounds of maximum weight capacity. As with all roof racks, I recommend confirming with your owner's manual to make sure your roof can handle the amount of weight you wish to transport.

If you happen to have a glass roof on your Prius Prime, the only option we have available is the mighty SeaSucker Monkey Bars # 298-SX6000B. The Monkey Bars come with an impressive 130-pound weight capacity and work great with glass roof surfaces. Also, the Monkey Bars involve the fastest installation and removal process out of any roof rack we carry here at etrailer. I went ahead and attached a video that shows the true strength of the vacuum cups. For theft-deterrence of the rack, I recommend the etrailer Cable Lock # e98891 along with the SeaSucker Cable Anchor # 298-BA0010.

As for the kayak carrier itself, I recommend the Rhino-Rack 2 Kayak Carrier w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Side Loading # S512-S512X. Not only do the cradles fold down for easy storage and less roof height, you also get the benefit all of the included straps to transport 2 kayaks. The Rhino-Rack 2 Kayak carrier is compatible with both the WingBar Evo crossbars and the SeaSucker Monkey Bars.

expert reply by: Bob C

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