YAKIMA - ShowDown Rooftop Mounted Load-Assist Kayak and SUP Rack for Vehicles, Carry 1 Kayak or 2 SUP Boards

The media could not be loaded. Game changer for me. I have an 11’ Pau Hana Big EZ Hawaii paddleboard. I also have a 2008 Toyota Sienna. I have a Thule rack, but so difficult for me to get that huge board on top of the van. If my husband or a second person is not around to help me load the board I am dead in the water. These racks have given me so much independence. I was able to easily load and unload my board in minutes. I thought it would still be difficult pushing the board up, but it was so easy. I did take a small step ladder with me just in case.The only thing that did not work for my 2008 Toyota is that I did not end up having 3” of over hang. So when I pull my board down it’s laying on the van door. I used some of the pads that came with the racks in the back part that touches the van. I have to be careful when pulling the paddleboard down and not drop it on the door. Otherwise it has been great. I also purchased the locks for the racks but am not sure I will have enough space to put the key in since I had to install the rack as close to the end of the van rack as possible leaving little room to insert a key.Have not used it with my 14’ Hurricane Kayak which only weights 50 lbs. I don’t think I will have any issues.

We have 2 of these and are happy with them. My smaller kayak is great with no problems. The larger kayak tends to splay a bit when raised up, so we just wrap the excess strap around the 2 supports and secure it. Then it works great. At 5'3" I am too short to push the kayaks all the way up. Love these lifts, we often have people ask us about them, too bad they are so pricey. For us, they were worth the price.

Way cheaper than a Hullavator. Works just as good. Loader is more at chest height than hip height. You do have to use a little more of a shove once you get the loader on top of your car or suv. I'm 5'11", bad shoulder, OLD woman paddler. It was just fine for me.

Tried today. So far no issues - works as advertised. Look and feel is very good.Easy to install. I used "Yakima Showdown" with "53” Universal Locking Roof Rack Crossbars by Vault" - both could be added and removed very quickly on Toyota 4Runner 2016.Kayak load/unload/strap is much faster and convenient now. I even can't compare how much easier it was to load / unload my Wilderness 17' kayak vs. my old "Yakima HullyRollers" and "Yakima DeckHand Kayak Saddles" set. (There is nothing wrong with these two - is just much easier for one person to use Yakima Showdown.)It could be five stars but I don't like bow and stern tiedown lines hooks - they should be some sort of snap spring clip carbine hooks - I really felt uncomfortable and insecure with the open hooks.

Lets face it... this thing is pretty expensive. Took me a lot of research before I took the plunge, and I am loving this. If you are solo kayaking... or kayaking with a kid who isn't ready to help load a heavy kayak on your car, this is so worth it.Every time I load my car I have people oohing and aweing and how easy it is to get loaded, strapped, and raised up.Took me about 3 times to get used to it and fine-tune where I would put the straps to tighten it more after I raised it.... but now its about a 12-minute process to install the device, load the kayak, and drive off. When there its about a 3-minute process to get the kayak off of the roof.PS... if you happen to have a Tesla, keep your key at a distance as the side-view-mirrors auto-opening while you are loading it is not good :)

FAST service and exactly what I was looking for and a deal!

I used the tie downs for the first time and they broke! What I paid for it they should be better grade!

I installed my Yakima Core bars with Timberline towers and the Showdown myself. Perfect performance the first time! Can't understand why others had issues? This was my first time doing this. I read the instructions and watched the Yakima videos. Piece of cake! Everything worked flawlessly. I test drove my car up and down the highway before I went out on the water. No problems at all. If anyone lives near Worcester Massachusetts I'd be glad to help you install your system :)