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.

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.

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.

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.

Great shot of a Subaru Outback double kayak racks with lift assist using the Yakima ShowBoat Kayak-Canoe lift assist roller and the Yakima BowDown folding kayak carrier and the Thule 883 Glide and Set kayak saddles.

This is an excellent application of kayak racks with lift assist on factory crossbars.  This 2010 Subaru Outback factory mounted kayak rack system is using the Yakima ShowBoat extending roller lift assist system for kayaks and canoes.  Along with the Yakima Showboat lift assist roller, there are two kayak carriers mounted to the Subaru Outback factory crossbars.  They are the Yakima BowDown folding J-cradle kayak rack and the Thule 883 Glide and Set kayak saddles.  If you’re wondering if two kayaks can be carried on your factory crossbars, here is your answer.  And with a great lift assist system as well! 

Complete details for 2010 Subaru Outback factory mounted kayak rack system for two kayaks.

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.

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…

Stellar shot of a 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI roof ski and snowboard rack system using the Yakima Q Tower base rack system w/ Q78 Clips, a Yakima 38" wind fairing/noise deflector shield, and the Yakima ButtonDown Aero ski/board rack.

 Here is a great photo of a sporty car racked up and ready to transport gear.  This 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI ski/snowboard rack system is using the Yakima Q-Tower base rack system with two pairs of Q 78 Q-Clips and 48″ roundbars.  It is locked down with the Yakima SKS4 lockpack and is using the Yakima 38″ wind fairing to quiet the wind noise.  For ski and snowboard transport, it is using the Yakima ButtonDown Aero ski/snowboard carrier. 

More info and complete installation details for 2007 Subaru Imprezxa WRX STI ski/snowboard roof rack. 

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.

Awesome photo of Snowboard Rack for 2011 Subaru Outback. Rack consists of Thule 91725b Flat Top Snowboard-ski carrier which mounts directly to the Subaru factory rack.

Fantastic customer picture of Roof  Snowboard-Ski Carrier for 2011 Subaru Outback factory rack. You can tell it is about be put to the test! Snowboard rack consists of Thule 91725b Flat Top Snowboard-Ski carrier which attaches directly to the Subaru Outback Factory rack cross bars.

Complete 2011 Subaru Outback Ski Rack – Snowboard Rack details…