Does the Malone FoldAway-5 Kayak Carrier MAL38FR Fit the 2016 Toyota 4Runner's Factory Crossbars?

Question:

Will these work with the factory cross bars on a 2016 Toyota 4Runner? if yes, and it is still a better idea to go with other cross bars which cross bars should I purchase for my 2016 Toyota SR5 Premium? Also, I have an Old Town Otter Kayak that is 14 feet long and weighs about 66 lbs. will these racks work ok for that size Kayak?

asked by: Jon C

Expert Reply:

It should. I don't have the specs on your 2016 Toyota 4Runner's factory crossbars but the Malone FoldAway-5 item # MAL38FR is designed to fit factory bars. You will just need to take a quick measurement of your roof rack to confirm. So long as the crossbars are no larger then 3-1/2" x 1-1/2" tall and can be spread out a minimum of 24" then the Malone item # MAL38FR will work.

If your roof rack ends up not being compatible you can install the Rhino-Rack Vortex StealthBar Roof Rack item # JA7970 which attach directly to your 4Runner's raised rails.

The Malone FoldAway-5 item # MAL38FR will have no problems handling your 14' Old Town Otter Kayak.

expert reply by: Jerred H

Jon C.

6/6/2024

Hello Jerred, thank you very much for your help. The factory crossbars are just slightly over 2 1/2 " in width. They are mounted just over 30" apart open space edge to edge. So all good. Down the center of the roof there is an indented area 7" and the space from the top of the roof to the bottom.of the bars is 1 1/2". Closer to the sides of the 4Runner roof there is another indented area about 7" wide and about 3 1/2" of the 7" with has the 1 1/2" height spacing before the cross bar tapers down a bit to 1 3/8" spacing. So this being said and that the 4RUNNER is a wide vehicle could the MAL38FR be mounted down the center line of the 4RUNNER ob the factory cross bars?

Jerred H.

6/6/2024

@JonC If you only have 1-1/2" beneath your crossbars before you get to the top of your roof then no, the FoldAway-5 item # MAL38FR will not work. You'll need at minimum 1-3/4" below the crossbars.