by Rack Magic Woman on February 1, 2012
Q: Can the Thule 480 Traverse 50″ bars be used on the Subaru and if so, what else is needed? Also, is the Malone universal cross bars set compatible with the 2011 Subaru?
A: We have several racks that will fit your vehicle but unfortunately the Thule 480 is not one of them. You can use the Thule 450 CrossRoads System , which will grab onto the Subaru raised rail. This will give you the best bar spread (up to 42”) and carry up to 165lbs. The 450 system also will fit just about any other raised rail on another vehicle. Or if you have a Forester without any rail/crossbar then you can use the Thule 460 Podium System , which mounts to the same place a Subaru rack would and this gives you 28” (it’s stuck there, will not move) but it does carry up to 165lbs.
The Malone System will work also work on your Forester, but it does not have the same range of fit for other makes and models of cars.
by Rack Magic Woman on November 29, 2011
Q: I am planning on buying a 2011 or 2012 subaru outback. I have the Thule 45050 Complete railing rack with feet, locks and 50″ bars
I hope to buy a hullavator for my kayak,the thule says it will work on this car but I can’t figure out how I can get the hullavator far enough apart to properly fit around my cockpit. The racks need to be 36″ apart. From the pictures I’ve seen, the rack seems “fixed” and unable to accommodate rack placement this far apart and, I can’t find any dimensions on line.
Do you have any experience mounting a thule hullavator system on a 2010 subaru or newer?? If so, what rack combination worked for you? How far apart were you able to place the Thule crossbars?
A: We do not necessarily have any direct experience installing the 45050 on the vehicle you mentioned, but we do know that is does fit and as you stated the Thule Fit Guide states the Hullavator will work on this car.
Here is a link to the Hullavator Instructions to maybe help clear things up a little.
Please note on page 2 that “Load bars must be at least 24″ (610mm)apart for safe use.”. But you do not need to clear the boat’s cockpit in order to use the rack.
Also note on page 2, the first step in #1 states that “Load bars must extend equally between 4″ and 8″ beyond foot. Adjust as necessary. In rare instances, longer load bars then those recommended in the Thule Fit Guide may be required for your vehicle.” This is to make sure the kayak and rack do not make contact with the car when the rack is pulled out and down. There is no way to know in advance if this will be an issue. Often times it is best to buy longer bars and then cut them down if they are too long or there is not risk of interference with the side of the car.
by Rack James on June 22, 2011
Image of a (hidden) 2009 Subaru Legacy kayak trailer for 2" receiver hitch using the fantastic Malone MPG460G Microsport trailer with two Malone MPG106MD AutoLoader kayak racks.
You’ll just have to take our word that this is a 2009 Subaru Legacy kayak trailer for two kayaks. Have we ever lied to you? Of course not. Regardless, what is certain, is that it is carrying a very, very nice kayak using the Malone MPG106MD AutoLoader kayak carriers mounted to the crossbars of the Malone MPG406G Microsport kayak trailer. But it could be any vehicle as long as that vehicle has a 2″ receiver hitch and it could be set up to carry a canoe, bicycles, a cargo box etc. The bottom line is that the Malone Microsport trailer is a great solution for carring gear and loading and unloading, especially when it comes to kayaks, is much easier than on a roof top.
More info and installation details for 2009 Subaru Legacy kayak trailer.
by Rack Magic Woman on June 2, 2011
Q: I got a Subaru Impreza 2011 5 door and I have Thule 400 XT Aero Feet with crossbars and attchments from my old car. Is there a fit kit to attach 400 XT to my car?
A: The 400XT has been replaced with the 480 Traverse, which is Thule’s new rack system for naked rooftops. Because the 400XT is being discontinued, they are not making 400XT Fit Kits for newer vehicles. In your case, that is neither here nor there, since your vehicle uses a different system anyway, so you will need to order a new Fit Kit and a new footpack.
Your vehicle requires the 460 podium footpack, which uses Fit Kit 3068 to attach to your fixed factory mounting points. Unlike the 400XT and 480 Traverse, which clips under your doors, this system is much cleaner and more integrated. You will be able to reuse your loadbars, locks, and any attachments that you may have.
by Rack James on June 1, 2011
by Rack James on May 17, 2011
Catalogue worthy shot of a 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI bike rack system for factory rack using the Yakima FrontLoader upright mounted bike rack.
Very nice photo of a 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI factory bar mounted bike rack using the Yakima FrontLoader bike rack. Right out of the box, the Yakima FrontLoader upright bike rack mounts directly to virtually any factory crossbars, as well as Yakima, Thule, Inno, and Malone crossbars. The Yakima FrontLoader upright mount bike rack is SKS compatible, and has two locking components–one to lock the bike into the rack and one to lock the rack onto the crossbars– An SKS 2 lock pack will do the job nicely!
More info and installation information on the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI bike rack install page.
by Rack Princess on April 18, 2011
Image of ski and snowboard roof box for 2011 Subaru Outback - mounts directly to Subaru Outback factory crossbars.
This 2011 Subaru Outback Roof Box consists of the Yakima Skybox LoPro cargo roof box and mounts directly to the factory rack crossbars of a 2011 Subaru Outback. The Yakima LowPro holds up to 6 snowboards or 8 pairs of skis and also works well for carrying summer gear like tents and camping gear. The Yakima locks & keys that come with it help eliminate security concerns.
For complete 2011 Subaru Outback Ski Snowboard roof box info…
by Rack James on March 30, 2011
by Rack James on March 28, 2011
Image of a Subaru Impreza WRX roof rack cargo box system using the Yakima Control Tower System with #11 Landing Pads and the Yakima SkyBox Pro 16 cargo box/luggage container.
Here is a great example of how a roof mounted cargo box can up your storage space for your vehicle. This Subaru Impreza WRX cargo box rack system is using the Yakima Control Tower base system (attaches directly to Subaru Impreza’s fixed mounting points) with 2 sets of Yakima Landing Pads #11, and 48″ roundbars. The owner has also installed the Yakima SKS 4 Lockpack. Mounted on the crossbars is the Yakima Skybox 16 Pro cargo box, which comes with locks/keys.
by Rack Princess on March 21, 2011
by Rack Princess on March 16, 2011
by Rack James on March 16, 2011
Nice looking shot of a 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback kayak racks system for two kayaks using two sets of Yakima Bowdown J-Cradle style kayak racks.
Thanks to R.M in Chapel Hill, NC for this great customer install photo of a 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon kayak rack system for two kayaks installed on factory crossbars using two set of the Yakima Bowdown folding kayak cradles. The Yakima Bowdown kayak J-Cradles attach directly to Yakima, Thule, Inno, and virtually any factory crossbars. The upright support can be folded flat when not in use.
See full details for 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon kayak racks.
by Rack Magic Woman on March 11, 2011
Q: I’m trying to figure out a solution so I can carry a canoe on top of my 2011 Subaru Outback with factory rack, what can you suggest?
A: The 2011 Subaru Outback is a tough vehicle to carry long items on due to the short bar spread between crossbars. We’ve had a local person use the Yakima Megawarrior (which will attach directly to your Subaru crossbars) to get more spread (the MW is 52” long) to support a canoe. It’s been working fine for his needs.
Another option which we’ve no experience with, but seems to me to be a reasonable option is to use the existing crossbars to support the boat above the car, and then use a hitch mounted support like the Thule 997 Goalpost out of a hitch. Of course, you’ll need a hitch.
As for the trouble of tying down the canoe to the front of the car, look at this option: Yakima Anchor straps. It can be attached within the engine compartment and pulled out when needed to provide a secure mounting point.
by Rack Princess on March 11, 2011
by Rack James on January 12, 2011
by Rack James on September 9, 2010
Cool and shady shot of a 2005 Subaru Outback roof bike rack for factory crossbars decked out with two Rocky Mounts TieRod bike racks.
I too drive a Subaru. But mine is slightly different than this 2005 Subaru Outback bike rack set up using two Rocky Mounts Tie Rod bike racks which mount directly to the Subaru Outback factory racks. Locks are sold seperately, and each Tie Rod bike rack uses two Rocky Mount lock cores to secure both the bike to the bike rack and the bike rack to the roof rack. A Rocky Mounts 4 pack of locks will lock everthing securely with the same key.
View the 2005 Subaru Outback Rocky Mounts Bike Rack install page.
by Rack James on September 8, 2010
by Rack James on August 10, 2010
Subaru Legacy four door bike racks attached to factory bars using two Rocky Mounts Tie Rod bike racks.
If you have factory bars on your vehicle, all you need are bike racks that will fit directly to them. This Subaru Legacy bike rack set up is using the Subaru Legacy factory bars to support two Rocky Mount Tie Rod bike racks. A four pack of Rocky Mounts locks takes care of the security business–that’s two locks for each tray: one to lock the tray to the crossbar and one to lock the fork skewer.
Install page for Subaru Legacy Bike Racks for Factory Bars.
by Rack James on August 7, 2010
Image of 2007 Subaru Tribeca roof cargo box system using the Thule 480R Rapid Traverse base rack system with 1431 Fit Kit clips and the Thule 873XT wind fairing/noise deflector supporting the Thule 687BXT Atlantis 1800 cargo box.
by Rack James on July 28, 2010
Glorious shot of a 2009 Subaru WRX kayak rack using Thule 835XTR Hullaport kayak racks attached directly to '09 Subaru WRX factory aero crossbars.
I get a lot of questions from customers asking if they can carry two kayaks on the roof of their car using their factory crossbars. The answer is generally yes, as long as you use the appropriate kayak carriers. This 2009 Subaru WRX factory rack mount kayak rack set up is using two Thule 835XTR Hullaport kayak carriers. These J-style kayak carriers tilt the boats on their side to save crossbar space and come with universal mounting hardware to fit to most factory crossbars.
Installation page for 2009 Subaru WRX kayak racks.
by Rack Princess on July 19, 2010
Photo of kayak rack for 2010 Subaru Outback wagon factory rack includes: 2 Thule 835XTR Hull-a-Port kayak racks.
This 2010 Subaru Outback kayak rack set up shows that there is a swift and simple way to transport boats on a 2010 Subaru Outback with a factory roof rack. With 2 Thule 835XTR Hull-a-Port kayak racks that mount directly to the factory roof rack crossbars it is simple and easy to carry kayaks on the roof of a 2010 Outback with no additional base rack or attachments necessary.
More photos of 2010 Subaru Outback kayak racks…
by Rack James on July 10, 2010
by Rack James on July 10, 2010
by Rack Princess on July 7, 2010
Photo of 2010 Subaru Forester roof rack cargo box, in this case a Thule 604 Ascent 1600 roof luggage carrier, mounted on Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad car rack.
Looking for a luggage cargo box for a 2010 Subaru Forester with factory rack side rails? A combination of the Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad car rack , which is a car roof rack that connects to the factory side rails on a 2010 Subaru Forester and the Thule 604 Ascent 1600 Roof Box is a terrific solution. The 450R Rapid Crossroad roof rack comes with 4 Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad Feet and 2 Thule RB47 Rapid Aero load bars -this is a complete base rack system for a 2010 Subaru Forester.
Read more on this 2010 Subaru Forester roof rack & cargo box…
by Rack Princess on July 6, 2010
Photo of hitch bike rack for 2007 Subaru Forester XT consisting of Yakima StickUp platform bike tray hitch rack for 2 bikes and Yakima LockUp hitch bike rack lock system.
A great 2007 Subaru Forester XT hitch mount bike rack able to carry 2 bicycles is the Yakima Stickup platform hitch rack combined with the Yakima 8007238 LockUp hitch bike rack lock. The platform style bike rack trays on the 8002420 Yakima Stickup are independently adjustable and let you carry 2 bikes of any size on your 2007 Subaru Forester XT. The Yakima LockUp hitch bike rack lock locks both the bicycles to the hitch bike rack and locks the bike rack to your Subaru Forester.
Read more on this 2007 Subaru Forester XT hitch bike rack for 2 bicycles.
by Rack James on June 29, 2010
by rackdawg on June 25, 2010
by rackdawg on June 16, 2010
by Rack Princess on June 14, 2010
A 2010 Subaru Outback Wagon roof rack basket system with Yakima MegaWarrior roof luggage basket mounted directly to the 2010 Subaru Outback factory rack cross bars.
There seems to be lot’s of discussion about what roof top rack solutions apply to the awesome 2010 Subaru Outback Wagon. This install picture shows a great roof top luggage rack for the 2010 Subaru Outback Wagon, the Yakima MegaWarrior roof basket attaches directly to the 2010 Subaru Outback factory rack crossbars. And as an added bonus, the MegaWarrior also includes 2 integrated crossbars that enable you to attach a bike rack, canoe rack, kayak rack etc. right on top of the Yakima MegaWarrior Luggage Gear Basket – no need to mess around taking it on or off. Not only can you pile all your stuff in the MegaWarrier car roof top basket, you can also attach gear carriersto the 2 integrated basket crossbars and carry your skis-snowboards, kayaks, canoe, bikes, surfboards and more right on the roof basket!
View more on the 2010 Subaru Outback with Yakima Megawarrier roof top luggage carrier and gear basket.
Tagged as:
factory rack carrier,
luggage basket,
luggage rack,
roof basket,
Subaru Outback,
Yakima MegaWarrior
by Rack Princess on June 14, 2010
