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Forester roof racks/kayak carrier

18 messages,  Last post on Jul 18, 2009 at 2:20 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback, Wagon

Messages Page 1 of 2

#1 of 18 Forrester roof racks/kayak carrier by saxy

Aug 09, 2006 (7:51 am)

I'm trying to determine what kayak carrier will work satisfactorily with my 2005 Forester.
 
The accessory rack OEM from Subaru is quite affordable but both the specs for the attachments and a good photo of the carrier are sadly lacking on the Subaru parts page. (photo larger than a postage stamp when printed woudl be good).
 
Just wondering if a Subaru owner could comment on the using the carrier offered by Subaru and if you HAVE TO GET THE SQUARE CROSS BARS TO HAVE THE 150LB CARRYING CAPACITY WITH A KAYAK, why can't subie give us better specs on the parts page shown here:
http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=513
 
Any actual experiences with the rack attachments would be appreciated.

#2 of 18 Re: Forrester roof racks/kayak carrier [saxy] by ateixeira

Aug 09, 2006 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: saxy (Aug 09, 2006 7:51 am)
Subaru re-sells Yakima racks, so check the Yakima site for details.
 
The OE cross bars can handle 150lbs, and Subaru sells clamps that mate up with Yakima accessories, I think they were $7 each way back when, when I looked years ago.
 
That's surely cheaper than buying new cross bars. Good luck.
 
-juice

#3 of 18 Re: Forrester roof racks/kayak carrier [saxy] by lmn908

Aug 12, 2006 (6:43 pm)

Replying to: saxy (Aug 09, 2006 7:51 am)
I believe that the Subaru OEM kayak rack for 2005 is like the Yakima kayak stacker. (Thule makes a similar device). It is basically an upright pole one attaches to the cross bars to which one secures the kayaks. It is relatively inexpensive and you can use it to secure multiple kayaks, but isn't the easiest way to secure the kayaks, as they have to be balanced on their sides resting on the roof rack crossbars, which takes some effort to get them up there and the help of another person to keep them in place while being secured.
 
For 2007, it looks like Subaru is now offering a type of J cradle as the kayak carrier. This is an easier kind of carrier to use, and as the kayaks are carried nearly upright, you can fit 2 on the crossbars and carry 2 boats. Both Yakima and Thule offer similar products, as do other manufacturers. As with any system, the boats should be tied down at both ends, but this is especially important with J cradles.
 
We used the Yakima kayak stacker for a couple of years on our 2002 Forester, but then switched to a system from Yakima using saddles. We did have to buy the Yakima mounts and longer crossbars in order to carry two boats, but it is much easier to use.
 
There are lots of choices out there depending upon how many boats you want to carry and your budget (foam blocks are inexpensive yet work well directly on the crossbars for one boat).
 
Larry

#4 of 18 Re: Forrester roof racks/kayak carrier [lmn908] by saxy

Aug 14, 2006 (6:58 am)

Replying to: lmn908 (Aug 12, 2006 6:43 pm)
From the absurdly small image on the Subaru website one can't really tell how the OEM mounter works- I can't seem to find any central tie points under the Forester front and back- there's one near the right rear wheel and in front there is one over by each wheel, not exactly convenient to reach or tie, especially in back. Wonder if the plastic grill is strong enough to handle a tie- any suggestions where to tie in back or in front
 
The picture they show kind of looks liek a cradle mount. Perhaps I'll just go with the foam blocks on the cross rails since I'm just going to carry one at first.

#5 of 18 Re: Forrester roof racks/kayak carrier [saxy] by steve_ HOST

Aug 14, 2006 (8:23 am)

Replying to: saxy (Aug 14, 2006 6:58 am)
Finding tie points can be a pain. I had to put a short loop of perlon rope in my engine compartment on my minivan. It's tied off to a frame member so I now have something to tie my boats to up front. It hides under the hood when not in use.
 
I do use the tow hooks on my Outback - there's three of them near three of the wheels. I've never had a problem having the boat painters tied off at an angle to the boat.
 
I wouldn't trust the plastic grill unless you can find some metal support hiding behind it.

#7 of 18 Legacy roof carrier, fit Forester? by rjweiss

Aug 24, 2006 (12:03 pm)

I have an 03 Forester with factory aero roof bars, I'm curious if the enclosed roof carrier that they sell for the Legacy & Tribeca will fit?
 
I have some unused Subaru Bucks that I can use for the purchase.
 
Ron W.

#8 of 18 Re: Legacy roof carrier, fit Forester? [rjweiss] by terry92270

Aug 24, 2006 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: rjweiss (Aug 24, 2006 12:03 pm)
I beleive they are different sizes...

#9 of 18 Re: Legacy roof carrier, fit Forester? [terry92270] by rjweiss

Aug 24, 2006 (4:21 pm)

Replying to: terry92270 (Aug 24, 2006 12:15 pm)
I kinda thought they would be longer, just curious if I could spread my cross bars far enough apart to make it work.
 
Maybe I could get the specs somewhere?
 
Ron

#10 of 18 Re: Legacy roof carrier, fit Forester? [rjweiss] by terry92270

Aug 24, 2006 (4:35 pm)

Replying to: rjweiss (Aug 24, 2006 4:21 pm)
Gee, I wonder where
 
Maybe directly from your Subaru Dealer?

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