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

Question

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

1

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

1

Debbie

9/17/2024

Will the yakima showdown fit on the skyline tower

Reply

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.

Reply

Debra G.

9/17/2024

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

Reply

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

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See All (7) Replies to Debbie ∨

Answer 1

Great question, but long story short yes you can use two of the 80 inch Yakima CoreBars part #8880656 to carry two of the Yakima ShowDown kayak carriers part #Y04081 that you mentioned. This would easily allow both racks to fit as the carrier only…

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Answer 2

This will be an extremely tight fit, but you should be able to put two Yakima ShowDowns, part #Y04081 on a pair of Thule 78 inch crossbars equipped to your 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. If you actually have a set of 80 inch bars, you won't have any…

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Answer 3

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 4

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 5

Hey Rick, I went through the install instructions of the Roadmaster Direct Connect base plate kit part #RM97RR and you actually trim out a whole in the shutters and reinstall them. They are not totally removed. Do you have a tow bar already?

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Answer 6

Yes, I have listed for your below the roof rack systems from Rhino-Rack, Thule, and Yakima that will fit the RetraxPRO XR Hard Tonneau Covers like part #RTT-80243 for your 2019 Ram 1500. Rhino-Rack Vortex Crossbar System part #RRVA180B-RRRLT600…

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Answer 7

Because the Retrax PRO MX Tonneau Cover #RT80467 for the 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 covers the bed rails, you would not be able to use a ladder rack like the Thule TracRac #TH27000XT since that rack requires the use of the bed rails. The only tonneau…

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Answer 8

Hey Scott, yes the hardware that comes with the Replacement Track Adapter Installation Hardware for Yakima OverHaul HD #Y69KR would fit into the tonneau cover tracks that you have on your 2020 Ford F-350 with the Embark tonneau. This kit will not…

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Answer 9

The 71" Rhino-Rack Vortex Crossbars for Retrax XR Tonneau Covers item #RRVA180B-RRRLT600 are the correct set for your 2022 Ram 3500. These are made for full size trucks and fit in the rails of the Retrax PRO XR. These crossbars are exactly…

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Answer 10

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 11

For your setup I recommend the TrackTowers for Yakima Crossbars and Platforms - Track Mount #Y52AV which includes everything you need to mount Yakima crossbars to your Retrax cover (unless you plan on using the Round or HD bars - then you'll need…

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Answer 12

Hello Leslie, I looked up your previous orders and see that you ordered the #RRVA180B 71" Rhino Rack Vortex Crossbars back in 2023. I took a stroll out to the warehouse and was able to confirm that the mounting hardware #Y42XR for the Yakima…

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

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