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Subaru Outback Roof Rack Comments

42 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2010 at 4:58 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 5

#14 of 42 Rack attack story by nes2

Oct 15, 2009 (8:58 am)

Replying to: rsholland (Oct 15, 2009 8:22 am)
I am afraid that it doesn't look good . I contacted Subaru and they dont have any plans to change the rack and they sais they didn't realise they were making a mistake - they have focus groups to help advise them. Obviously they were polling a bunch of armchair shoppers! Check out this thread and read the responses of more than 40 people who dont like the roof racks either and there is the opinion of a rack specialist
http://rackattackportland.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/new-series-cars-of-the-future- -a-rack-installers-opinion-part-1-2010-subaru-outback/

#15 of 42 Re: OUTBACK ROOF RACK IS FLAWED [jd_24] by xwesx

Oct 15, 2009 (9:30 am)

Replying to: jd_24 (Oct 15, 2009 7:13 am)
A 100 or even 150lb limit will be easily exceeded when you tie down a canoe or long kayak. The tie down tension will add many pounds of force plus a long lever to multiply that force.
 
I wouldn't worry about that. I have put well over 200# on those racks before, over some rather questionable terrain, and never had any problem. Yes, the factory crossbars are the weak link in that they flex easily, but hey, it is a better indicator of weight that way than were they to be more rigid!
 
I think the weight problem is most likely to manifest itself in a situation where, say, a load is being carried at the time of a frontal impact. The car comes to a stop abruptly, but the force of the load on the racks shears the bolts and sends the load hurtling forward. If the load exceeded the 100# mfg limit, Subaru is not liable for damages resulting from that chain of events.

#16 of 42 Re: Rack attack story [nes2] by xwesx

Oct 15, 2009 (9:35 am)

Replying to: nes2 (Oct 15, 2009 8:58 am)
I don't like them not because they are not clever or useful, but because they limit the options of an individual owner. Yes, the prior generation racks required a little more work in terms of maintaining the cross bars (removing or installing them), but they allowed options. Not only could they be moved fore or aft, but aftermarket bars could replace the "aero" bars to increase utility for the owner. Spread (fore / aft) is not the only issue. I see many folks run 6' Thule or Yakima cross bars in order to accommodate their gear, such as multiple boats, bikes, combinations, etc. The factory bars just do not offer that type of flexibility. And, now, the option of aftermarket replacements is limited/eliminated.

#17 of 42 Re: OUTBACK ROOF RACK IS FLAWED [rsholland] by xwesx

Oct 15, 2009 (9:38 am)

Replying to: rsholland (Oct 15, 2009 5:59 am)
Also, the new Outback just one MT's SUV-of-the-Year award.
 
Bob, I'm shocked... horrified! And, I am not referring to the award, I am referring to who one it.

#18 of 42 Re: OUTBACK ROOF RACK IS FLAWED [xwesx] by rsholland

Oct 15, 2009 (9:56 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Oct 15, 2009 9:38 am)
Me too. When it comes to "SUVs" I'm old school in that it needs to be really off-road capable, first and foremost. In this test the 4-Runner should have won hands-down, with the Outback coming in 2nd.
 
Still, it's a nice feather to put is Subaru's marketing cap, and for braggin' rights.
 
Bob

#19 of 42 Re: OUTBACK ROOF RACK IS FLAWED [jd_24] by ateixeira

Oct 15, 2009 (10:41 am)

Replying to: jd_24 (Oct 15, 2009 7:13 am)
A 100 or even 150lb limit will be easily exceeded when you tie down a canoe or long kayak. The tie down tension will add many pounds of force plus a long lever to multiply that force
 
Tie the back down to a tow hitch - those are rated for a tongue weight of 350 lbs IIRC. If you don't have a hitch I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to make a braket for that.
 
At the front I'm sure you can find a rigid place on the grille or front bumper.
 
Both would also help spread the load fore and aft.

#20 of 42 Re: Rack attack story [xwesx] by steve_ HOST

Oct 15, 2009 (3:26 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Oct 15, 2009 9:35 am)
I haven't seen them on the 2010s, but I've read the complaints about them at a paddling forum I visit. If you visit Yakima.com and tell them you want to carry canoes, they say "We cannot fit your vehicle with a top of car rack system but you can always have one custom installed."
 
This is a problem for people like me, who spent ~$300 on a Yak rack system planning to move it to future cars just by buying new attachment clips as needed. I've never bothered to try to put them on my '97 Outback though.
 
The other ironic thing is that Subaru will give you a discount if you are a member of the American Canoe Association.
 
btw, my bars are 78" long.
 
Steve, visiting host

#21 of 42 Re: Rack attack story [steve_] by 26cars

Oct 15, 2009 (6:47 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Oct 15, 2009 3:26 pm)
The new OB's were just hitting dealers when I bought my '10 Forester; I saw the new rack design and right away knew they were inadequate. I use older Thule mounts/square 6' crossbars and they are rock-solid on the traditional Subie rails. I was amazed Subaru could make such a design blunder. Most, if not all factory crossbars are flimsy and flex way too much with kayaks loaded. With the Thule kayak pads and heavy strap/buckle tie-downs, I safely travel at 65+ mph with no movement and no loosening of the straps. Bottom line: spend the money for aftermarket mounts & rails (unfortunately they ain't cheap!)- they may look a little cluttered but they work great.
BTW, a lot of crossovers I looked at (ie, Chevy Equinox and others) had crappy rail designs- they only went part-way along the roofline, making front-back span of crossbars less than 30", not nearly enough to maintain a tight grip on long items like kayaks. The Chevy dealer was a little suprised when I ruled out the vehicle based on roof rack-rail design- guess most people don't really pay much attention to them, or don't use then for anything but occaisional luggage carry.

#22 of 42 Re: Rack attack story [26cars] by ateixeira

Oct 16, 2009 (8:11 am)

Replying to: 26cars (Oct 15, 2009 6:47 pm)
My Sienna has a very wide spread - you can set them a mile apart.
 
Ironically I rarely use it, because so much fits inside!

#23 of 42 Re: Rack attack story [ateixeira] by steve_ HOST

Oct 16, 2009 (8:21 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 16, 2009 8:11 am)
Lots of whitewater kayaks and C1s are so short these days, you can put a few of them inside a minivan too.

Messages Page 3 of 5

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