Should Yakima HD Crossbars Have Downward Bow in Middle

Updated 09/29/2025 | Published 05/06/2025

Question:

I just had Yakima HD 60" cross bars installed on my tacoma and it appears that the bars have a slight arch downward in the middle. is that normal? I have jetstream bars over the cab that are arched up in the middle, that makes sense. But the heavy duty bars are both curved down over the bed. they are installed with the numbering chart down, which seems correct, but I didnt expect them to bow down. Is that normal or were these cross bars maybe bent prior to install?

asked by: Bo

Expert Reply:

Hey Bo, it is not normal for the Yakima 60 inch HD crossbars like the part # Y01156 to have a downward bow in the middle of them. They should be basically totally flat. I attached a picture of what they should look like for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Yakima HD Crossbar
(click to enlarge)

Jameson C.

9/29/2025

Hey Bo, did you have a chance to compare your Yakima HD crossbars with the picture I attached? I'm asking because your experience could help others who might face a similar issue with their crossbars.

9/29/2025

@JamesonC Hey Jameson, yes I did. I went back to the installer and they put brand new cross bars on. Same thing happened. It appears that when the inner connection bolts on the towers are tightened, they put downward tension on the cross bar that pulls them into that slight concave I havent had time to do it yet, but I am going to machine a wedged washer to insert on the cross bar to tower mount and see if that will create a flat if not slightly convex cross bar once tightened. I will update when I have actually that done. Hope that helps thanks - Bo