Installing Roof Rack on 2019 Toyota Highlander w/ Flush Rails & Can it Use Longer Crossbars Bars

Question:

two questions my 2019 highlander factory roof rails have 4 pop off covers, front and back are smaller square 1 inch x 1 inch and two middle ones are larger rectangular 3.5 inch x 1. Your highlander pictures appear to show the two middle ones getting the 460R mounting cleats which would put the bars only 24 inch apart. Can I mount the 460Rs into one of the front or rear pop-off covers to get a wider spread between my bars? Q2: The factory rails are about 46 inch on center apart, can I mount the wider 60 iinch aero bars instead of the 53 inch bars? I have wider bars on my other SUV which allow two kayaks to mount side by side which I like. thanks

asked by: Kurt Z

Expert Reply:

Good questions so let's start with the installation of the roof rack feet on your 2019 Toyota Highlander and you do need to install the feet at the locations indicated in the directions, which is what we show in the linked installation video. A short crossbar spread really is a positive, as it allows you the use of more accessories, which will fit that spread compared to what looks to be a very long spread if you install the fit in different mounting locations.

You can use longer crossbars than Thule's 53" bars on your Highlander, it will require the use of a Yakima roof rack system. The reason is the Yakima crossbars have a bottom channel that goes across the length of the bar, while the Thule crossbars do not. This means vehicles need to stick with Thule's recommended size of crossbar. Yakima makes a very high-quality rack which is on par with Thule, just keep in mind the bars may stick out past your Highlander to the point that you should be aware so you don't bump your head.

The Yakima roof rack with 60" crossbars that fits your 2019 Toyota Highlander with flush side rails consists of Yakima JetStream Crossbars # Y00426 (Black), SkyLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars # Y53TR, Landing Pad 16 for Yakima SkyLine and Control Towers # Y00242, and Yakima Same Key System (SKS) Lock Cores # Y07204.

expert reply by: Kyle S