Yakima

Yakima ShowDown – Load-Assist Kayak & SUP Rack for Roof Racks & Roof Platforms

SKU: YA-1404 Category: Offroad and vanlife equipment

Available immediately

Delivery time: 1 - 3 Workdays

RRP: ~~680,00 €~~

639,00 €

incl. 19% VAT , Free shipping

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Loading a heavy kayak or big boards onto a roof setup shouldn’t feel like a workout — especially on taller SUVs and vans. The Yakima ShowDown combines load assist and secure transport in one rack: it slides out and tilts down along the side of the vehicle, brings your gear noticeably closer, and takes a big part of the strain out of lifting — then gently guides your kayak, SUP, or surfboard back onto the vehicle. Less effort, more control, and a smoother start to every water day.

✅ Side-loading with a 66 cm drop: Load at the vehicle edge instead of lifting overhead
✅ 30–45% weight assistance: Depending on boat width — noticeably less strain when lifting
✅ 36 kg capacity: Carries one large kayak or two boards (SUP/surf)
✅ Fits roof racks & roof platforms: Universal mounting for most systems (requires through-bar style crossbars)
✅ Felt-covered cradles: Flex to match the hull for secure, scratch-friendly transport
✅ Folds flat when not in use: Helps reduce drag and wind noise
✅ Tie-down straps included: Everything you need to secure the load; SKS locks optional (sold separately)

Yakima ShowDown – Load-Assist Kayak & SUP Rack for Roof Racks & Roof Platforms

Description

Productinformation in detail

Key Features

Technical Specs & Compatibility

Reviews

Description

Productinformation in detail

Key Features

Technical Specs & Compatibility

Reviews

Yakima ShowDown – easier loading, safer transport, and more time on the water with your kayak & SUP

If you’ve ever tried loading a heavier kayak or big paddleboards onto a vehicle, you already know the truth: the rack isn’t the hard part — the loading is. Especially on taller SUVs, vans, or when you’re running a roof platform, lifting overhead quickly turns into awkward angles, poor grip, and way less control than you’d like.

That’s exactly where the Yakima ShowDown shines. It’s not just a kayak carrier — it’s a load-assist kayak and SUP rack. The system slides out and tilts down along the side of your vehicle, bringing your gear noticeably closer and making the lift feel far more manageable. Then it guides your kayak or boards back into transport position in a controlled, steady movement.

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What makes the ShowDown genuinely better day to day?

A lot of kayak racks work fine — as long as the boat is light, you always load with a second person, and your vehicle isn’t too tall. Real life is usually different. You end up lifting at a weird angle, reaching too far, or having to re-grip mid-lift. That’s when loading stops being “quick” and starts being stressful.

The ShowDown solves that with one simple advantage: you load from the side, closer to your body.

It drops down up to 66 cm, so you’re not trying to muscle gear onto a roof-level rack.
It provides 30–45% weight assistance depending on boat width — it won’t do the full job for you, but it meaningfully reduces strain, especially when loading solo.
You stay in control throughout the movement instead of fighting the weight and balance.

If you’re on the water regularly, this is one of those upgrades that makes you wonder why loading ever had to be such a hassle.

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How it works — and what it can carry

The ShowDown uses a smooth slide-and-tilt mechanism. You pull the mount out, tilt it down along the side of the vehicle, set your kayak or boards into the cradles, and then guide the system back up onto your roof rack or roof platform.

In practice, that means:

36 kg capacity — enough for one large kayak or two SUP/surf boards.
Felt-covered cradles that flex to match the hull, helping keep the load stable and reducing pressure points.
Tie-down straps included, so you’re ready to go out of the box.
When you’re not carrying gear, it folds flat, which helps cut down on drag and wind noise and keeps the vehicle looking clean.

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Who the Yakima ShowDown is for — and when it’s not the right match

A great fit if you…

carry a heavier kayak or larger SUP/surf boards
often load solo, or simply want a more ergonomic way to load
drive a taller vehicle (SUV, van) or use a roof platform setup
want a system that combines secure carrying + load assist in one solution

Not the best fit if you…

only transport a light board occasionally and don’t mind overhead loading
don’t run through-bar style crossbars (the ShowDown requires crossbars that extend beyond the rack towers)
use square bars with a depth over 38 mm (not compatible)
have very limited crossbar spread (minimum required is 24 cm)

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Our take – Yakima ShowDown at Campanions

We recommend the ShowDown when loading is the real bottleneck. If your board is light and you always load with two people, a standard rack might be enough. But once you’re dealing with real kayak weight, vehicle height, or solo loading, the difference is huge: you work closer to your body, you stay in control, and the whole process feels calmer and safer.

Put simply: the ShowDown doesn’t make the drive to the water more exciting — it makes getting ready noticeably easier. And for most people, that’s the part that matters.

At Campanions, we love gear that doesn’t just carry your equipment — it makes the moment before the adventure feel smooth, not stressful.

Item information	Value
Type of Article:	Roof Rack

✅ Side-loading that makes tall vehicles feel manageable.
The ShowDown slides out and tilts down along the side of your vehicle, so you can load a kayak or boards at the vehicle edge — a huge win for SUVs, vans, and roof platforms.

✅ 66 cm drop for easier reach and better control.
The mount tilts down significantly, bringing your gear closer so loading feels calmer and far less awkward than lifting overhead.

✅ Real load assist: 30–45% weight assistance.
Depending on the width of your kayak, the mechanism supports a noticeable portion of the weight — especially helpful for heavier boats or solo loading.

✅ 36 kg capacity for one large kayak or two boards.
Built to handle real-world water setups: a full-size kayak or two SUP/surf boards.

✅ Felt-covered cradles that flex to fit the hull.
The padded cradles conform to the shape of your kayak for secure, scratch-friendly support during transport.

✅ Folds flat when not in use to reduce noise and drag.
When you’re driving without gear, the rack folds down for a cleaner profile and a quieter ride.

✅ Universal mounting for most roof racks and roof platforms.
The ShowDown fits a wide range of setups — but it does require through-bar style crossbars (crossbars that extend beyond the rack towers).

✅ Tie-down straps included for secure transport.
Everything you need to secure your load comes in the box — no additional straps required to get started.

✅ Optional added security with SKS lock cores.
The rack can be locked to your base rack using SKS lock cores (sold separately) — a smart upgrade for travel days and stopovers.

Technical Specs

Feature	Specification
Product Type	Load-assist kayak & SUP rack (slide-and-tilt system)
Max Capacity	36.3 kg
Rack Weight	9.5 kg
Minimum Crossbar Spread	61 cm
Drop for loading	up to 66 cm
What’s included	2× ShowDown units (left/right), 2× SUP saddles, RoundBar adapters, HD straps, anchor leashes, strap clips, felt pads, bow/stern tie-down
Warranty	Limited Warranty (manufacturer)

Compatibility & real-world fit notes (please check before you buy)

✅ Requires through-bar style crossbars: You need at least 9 cm of crossbar protruding beyond the tower.
✅ Vehicle clearance matters: Mount the ShowDown so it clears the vehicle by at least 10 cm when deployed.
✅ Clamp placement limit: The outboard clamp can be no more than 10 cm from the tower (exception: Overhaul HD).
✅ Crossbar length may need to be longer: On some vehicles, you may need crossbars one size longer than the minimum recommended size.
✅ RoundBar compatible: RoundBar adapters for Yakima RoundBars are included.
⚠️ Square bars: Not suitable for square bars with a depth over 38 mm.

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