Recommended Roof Rack to Use a Hullavator on a 2022 Toyota Highlander w/ Factory Rails

Question:

I have a 2022 Toyota Highlander with flush mounted roof rack and factory installed crossbars and would like to install a Thule Hulavator Kayak Rack but it looks like the crossbars need to extend past the front/back support. Any suggestions?

asked by: Peter G

Expert Reply:

I have a couple of options for you. I took a look at the factory crossbars and roof rack that comes with the 2022 Toyota Highlander and there is no way to use the Hullavator item # TH898 with them. The lift assist function requires the crossbars to extend 4" - 8" past the legs of the roof rack. You would need to remove the factory roof rack and attach a new set of extended crossbars to your Highlanders rails.

To do this I recommend the roof rack by Yakima which includes the following parts:

Yakima JetStream Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 60" Long - Qty 2 item # Y00426

SkyLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Flush Rails - Qty 4 item # Y53TR

Landing Pad 28 for Yakima SkyLine And Control Towers - Qty 4 item # Y66VR

These 60" crossbars will give you plenty of room to allow the lift assist funtion to work properly on the Hullavator item # TH898. The bars have a 165 lbs capacity.

For additional security I recommend adding the Yakima Same Key System (SKS) Lock Cores (QTY 4) item # Y07204. these locks will secure your Yakima roof rack from theft.

I have linked a couple of pictures below along with an installation video so you can see what this system will look like once installed. Your crossbars will extend out a few more inches on either side.

If you do not wish to invest in a new roof rack for your Highlander then you will want to use a different Kayak carrier like the Yakima JayLow Kayak Roof Rack item # Y04073. Which is compatible with your factory roof rack and crossbars. This does not have a lift assist function.