Recommended Roof Rack For Installing A Yakima ShowDown Kayak Carrier On A 2021 Toyota Highlander

Updated 09/19/2024 | Published 05/12/2022

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

Yakima HD Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 55" Long - Qty 2

(159)

$318.95

HD Bar Adapter for Yakima Streamline Towers - Qty 4

(127)

$29.95

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

(68)

$274.95

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

(915)

$149.95

Question:

My Highlander has flush rails, and i need the Yakima Showdown because Im old and short. What crossbars/towers system should I purchase to be compatible with both my car and the Showdown? Also, Im handy with hand tools, so is this an installation that I could do myselfboth the crossbars and the Showdown? Thanks.

asked by: Juju

Helpful Expert Reply:

For your 2021 Toyota Highlander with flush mounted rails I recommend the Roof Rack by Yakima which includes:

Yakima HD Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 55" Long - Qty 2 # Y01156
SkyLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars # Y53TR
Landing Pad 28 for Yakima SkyLine And Control Towers - Qty 4 # Y66VR
HD Bar SL Adapter # Y03541

The Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Carrier and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs # Y04081 will clamp onto the crossbars of this roof rack system for an easy peasy installation. You will need to ensure that the crossbar extends at least 3.5" past the feet for the ShowDown to have enough clearance when lowering down. If needed you can offset the crossbars more to one side to achieve this.

The crossbars will also need to be spaced at least 24" apart as well.

The installation of both of these systems can easily be done at home and I've attached some videos below to help walk you through the process.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Debbie

9/17/2024

Will the yakima showdown fit on the skyline tower

Kevin C.

9/17/2024

@Debbie No, the Yakima ShowDown Kayak or SUP Roof Rack and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs # Y04081 requires a crossbar that extends past the towers so that it won't scrape the side of your vehicle as you raise or lower it with the kayak. The connection point closest to the outside of the vehicle would sit outside the tower and the other connection point of the ShowDown would sit inside the towers on the crossbar.

Debra G.

9/17/2024

@KevinC Which rack do we need for the Ford F150 2022 so we can use the showdown?

Kevin C.

9/18/2024

@DebraG Since you have a truck you would want to go with a ladder rack instead since the roof rack options compatible with the ShowDown # Y04081 and your F-150 would require you to drill into the roof of the cab. What is the length of the bed, do you have or want to install a tonneau cover in the future, do you have a camper shell on the bed, what price range would you like to stick around?

Helpful Links

tv-review-yakima-showdown-kayak-sup-carrier-y04081.aspx