Carrying an 18-1/2 Foot Canoe and Tandem Bike on a 2018 Toyota Highlander with Factory Roof Rack
Question:
Hi Etailer team, We would need to be able to easily carry our 18.5 foot canoe or our tandem bicycle on a new 2018 Toyota Highlander. Neither item is very heavy just 45 pounds for the canoe, just long! Unfortunately the spacing of the OEM roof rack attachment points on the 2018 Highlander are fixed at 27.5 inches. Too short for our long loads. Is the a fix or work-around for carrying our long recreational equipment? Currently we have a 2006 Highlander that is able to carry these loads on its manufacturer installed rack. We cant buy a new car if we cant engineer a solution for our gear! Thanks for your help!!!
asked by: Patricia D
Expert Reply:
There are canoe carriers that work with the bar spread of 27-1/2 inches on your 2018 Toyota Highlander. The Swagman Exo Aero # S65145 requires a minimum of 24 inches of bar spread. But I understand what you are saying. The canoe is so long you will need extra support.
If your Highlander has a 2 inch trailer hitch or if you added one such as # e98844 you could then use a load extender such as the Yakima LongArm # Y01149 or Malone extender # MPG907. These will essentially add a third crossbar but one that is mounted via the trailer hitch rather than the roof. I have linked videos on both extenders for you.
But the roof may not be the best option since there isn't a tandem bike rack carrier that will mount to the factory crossbars on your Highlander. So if you went with a hitch you could carry both the canoe and the tandem bike on a Rack and Roll trailer # Y08106. The crossbar spread on this trailer is adjustable from 4 inches up to 48 inches so it has the spread to handle long boats and bikes. Since your canoe is so long you will also need tongue extension kit # Y08109. For a tandem bike rack that will fit use the Thule Tandem # TH558P.
The etrailer hitch listed above measures 16 inches from the ground to the top of the receiver opening so to tow the Yakima Rack and Roll trailer level you will need a ball mount with a 6 inch rise, # C45100, and a 2 inch ball for the coupler, # 63845. And to activate the lights on the trailer you would need wiring harness # 118449 if your Highlander does not have the factory tow package, or # 56042 if it does have the factory tow package.
I know that all of this may not be ideal but it is the best, safest, and pretty much the only way to carry both the canoe and the tandem bike.
Products Referenced in This Question
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- No Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- CURT
more information >
2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 2 Inch Diameter Ball
- 2-1/8 Inch Shank Length
- 1 Inch Diameter Shank
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Tow Ready
more information >
Curt Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 6-1/4" Rise, 7-1/2" Drop - 13" Long - 5,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- 1 Inch Ball Hole Diameter
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 7 Inch
- Rise - 6 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 5000 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Long Shank
- CURT
more information >
etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 900 lbs TW
- 6000 lbs GTW
- 8000 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 900 lbs WD TW
- Visible Cross Tube
- etrailer
more information >
Malone Axis Truck Bed and Roof Load Extender for 2" Hitches - 375 lbs
- Truck Bed Extender
- Adjustable Height
- Adjustable Width
- 28 - 48 Inch Wide
- Hitch Load Extender
- Steel
- Black
- Malone
more information >
Swagman Exo Aero Rooftop Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Clamp On
- Watersport Carriers
- Canoe
- Kayak
- Roof Mount Carrier
- Saddle-Style
- Aero Bars
- Elliptical Bars
- Factory Bars
- Round Bars
- Square Bars
- Rear Loading
- Clamp On
- No Load Assist
- Swagman
more information >
Yakima Rack and Roll Trailer - 66"
- Kayak Trailer
- Crossbar Style
- 5 Kayaks
- 17 Feet Long
- 250 lbs
- 5-1/2W x 11L Foot
- Aluminum
- Yakima
more information >
Tongue Extension Kit for Yakima Rack and Roll Trailer
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailers
- Watersport Carriers
- Roof Rack on Wheels Parts
- Watersport Trailer Parts
- Extensions
- Rack and Roll
- Yakima
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 54" Long - Qty 2
- Roof Rack
- Crossbars
- Aero Bars
- 54 Inch Bar Space
- 2 Bars
- Overhang
- Black
- Rhino Rack
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Article: Rooftop Cargo Carriers
- Article: Roof Rack Information
- Q&A: Solution For Reducing Whistling Noise On Roof Rack
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Article: How to Install a Roof Rack
- Q&A: Comparing Thule AeroBlade Crossbars vs WingBar Evo Crossbars
- Q&A: Comparison of Rhino-Rack Heavy-Duty and Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Roof Racks
- Q&A: 2020 Honda CRV Roof Rack Capacity Options
- Q&A: Recommended Roof Rack For 2015 Honda CR-V With Naked Roof
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: My Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit
- Q&A: Recommended Roof Rack for a 2023 Chevy Equinox w/ Raised Factory Rails
- Q&A: Recommended Roof Rack for a 2023 BMW X3 w/ Side Rails
- Article: How to Strap a Kayak to a Roof Rack in 4 Steps (With Pictures)