SportRack Cargo Box SR7018 Compatibility on a 2014 Toyota Highlander with Factory Crossbars

Question:

My 2014 Highlander has a factory rack with fixed width cross bars no side rails. The factory bars are elliptical and measure 27 7/8inch C-C. The bar is about 2 5/8inch wide and the weight rating is 150 lbs. I have noticed the bars are not flat - they seem to arc about 1/2inch in the center. The distance from the front bar C to the rear hatch is about 55. Is the curvature of the cross bar an issue? Is the Hatch clearance an issue due to the fixed cross bars? What cargo boxes are compatible among Sport Rack SR7018, Thule, and Yakima 14 cu ft to 16 cu ft. None of the compatibility guides list the 2014 Highlander with factory racks as compatible.

asked by: Murray

Expert Reply:

The SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box # SR7018 is designed to fit a range of factory and aftermarket roof rack crossbars, including Thule elliptical-shape WingBars such as # TH711420. These compatible bars measure 3-1/8-inches wide, narrower than your factory bars, so they will work fine with the Vista XL hardware. Also, the 27-7/8-inch center-to-center spread of your bars (thank you for providing this) is fine for the Vista XL.

You can measure your vehicle to determine if this box will allow full opening of the rear hatch without interference with the box. Measure from the center of the front crossbar to the seam on the roof where the roof and hatch meet. If this distance is 43-inches or more then the Vista XL should fit without rear hatch interference, according to my contact at SportRack.

You will want to keep in mind that your roof rack's 150-lb capacity must include the weight of the cargo box, which in the case of the Vista XL is 38-lbs. This means that your actual loaded cargo weight cannot exceed 112-lbs.

You might consider an accessory step, such as # HE4040 or the Telesteps # TE97FR, to ease the process of loading and unloading your cargo. These handy items come fully assembled and provide you with better access to your rooftop cargo.