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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 2 of 3

#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?

#11 of 18 Re: Forrester roof racks/kayak carrier [saxy] by gherman131313

Sep 05, 2006 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: saxy (Aug 09, 2006 7:51 am)
I have Thule Hullaport kayak carrier.. it's a J-shaped carrier that fits the OEM roof bars on my 2003 Forrester. Works fine.

#12 of 18 Re: Forrester roof racks/kayak carrier [saxy] by nhnissaninva

Oct 18, 2006 (4:36 pm)

Replying to: saxy (Aug 09, 2006 7:51 am)
I bought a Yakima HullRaiser Aero w/ straps a couple weeks ago, liked it so much that I just picked up a second. Bought online, about $110, racksforall. This is a J-style, takes 10 minutes to assemble and install on a 2006 Forester. The mount fits just fine, using the shorter bolts. The strap with padded buckle is fine, little hard to thread until you learn to let off on the clamp to help "bend" the strap end around the clamp bar. My Pungo 140 is a little heavy, but I'm able to lift it up into the "J" without much trouble. So long as you can get your yak up to the roof on edge, this is a great rack. I don't bother with front/rear ties, just the two straps. I do see a little more flexing in the factory rack than I like, when loading, but it's OK and saves me $180 for bars.
 
Also picked up the Yakima 6 pair ski rack, $100, but that will require "mighty-mounts". The Yakima site was a little ambiguous on that, might have been a model change, but th supplied hardware is only round or square, not factory "aero".

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