Shark Fin and Loading a Kayak

W

watauga9

New member
I own a 2012 4Runner SR5 without the factory cross bars on the roof. Does anyone have trouble strapping a kayak to your roof while using the factory crossbars? I'm thinking that shark fin would get in the way. Seems like a dumb idea to have that fin up there...

I don't want to spend $100 for the cross bars if I'll have to replace the fin too
 
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If you're going to have to spend money one way or another, why not just spend on the money on better bars (i.e. Thule or Yakima or whatever)?

I have the factory bars and I tried to put our kayak on top once but it was while we were also going to take our dog somewhere as well. I quickly realized that once the kayak was up, you couldn't open the rear gate (which means the dog couldn't get in/out without taking the kayak on/off).

All that being said, I'm 99% sure the sharkfin would not be a problem for most kayaks especially if you mount the kayak off and to the side instead of right down the middle.
 
I also have an 03 4Runner, so I'm just used to throwing my yak up on the factory roof rack already. Obviously I don't have the shark fin on the 03 so that's never been an issue. Haven't thought about other brands but maybe I should.
 
Heartburn over <$30?

watauga9 said:
I own a 2012 4Runner SR5 without the factory cross bars on the roof. Does anyone have trouble strapping a kayak to your roof while using the factory crossbars? I'm thinking that shark fin would get in the way. Seems like a dumb idea to have that fin up there...

I don't want to spend $100 for the cross bars if I'll have to replace the fin too
Click to expand...

Grabbing a low profile camry antenna cover is like $26 shipped. Swap out the internals and it's a direct fit.
 
I have the same rig and load my kayak just fine on the cross bars and strap it down. It's not one of the real long ones tho, single seat. It will inhibit the rear hatch from opening only if I let it. I generally just slide it forward till it clears. My bigger issue is lifting the #@*% thing up on top of the runner. I have a 3" lift already so it's a stretch and the kayak weighs 38lbs. Have to get turn it upside down then lift it over my head and either step on the slider for a boost or use a step stool. If I miss the first time, well?? Happened once and can throw me off balance a bit. Only thing I don't like about the runner is carrying the kayak. A P/U bed is so nice for such things. Since I live near a big river I don't need to drive far and I think the next time I'll stick it in the back and let it hang out a bit.
 
Who's going to see it?

dlstyley said:
Thanks. I've got a 2016 that is Silver. Anybody happen to know if the color of the 09 Corolla will match?
Click to expand...

Just get the cheapest one and Plastidip it black. It's hidden from the sides by the rack anyway. Color codes are easy to look up but the corolla came in two different silvers, the classic silver is the same as the 4runner (paint code 1F7).
Unless you and your friends are 7' tall and it will bother you. If so you could sand and repaint this with touch up paint in half an hour.
 
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