Yakima & Thule Roof Cargo Box Thread - Page 2 - Subaru Outback

asutriathlete · 11-09-2009, 03:56 PM

I am suprised more owners have not posted on this subject yet. For those of you who have an aftermarket rack system (Thule or Yakima) please be aware that you will be able to use very little of your current carriers. My wife and I ski or cycle nearly every weekend here in CO with friends and we normally carry a Skybox 18 and a six-pack powderhound in the winter or 4 bikes and a Skybox 18 in the summer on my old '99 Legacy wagon with another couple and dogs. Obviously I have huge crossbars to carry all of that junk, but unfortunately you cannot put aftermarket crossbars on the 2010 OB. They have made it where you can only use the factory crossbars which are 36 inches wide. This will only fit my Skybox 18 and nothing else.

I spoke to an individual at SOA and he indicated he had already received over 500 complaints about the utility of the new crossbar system. I feel like the new system is a great design, but I wish they had built in the option of using an aftermarket set of crossbars as well.

Just something to consider for anyone looking at the new OB.

mattski · 11-09-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ssrgeoff
^ Yes, you still have plenty of space. I would say it hits on the last 1.5"-2" of opening all the way. I havent let it go all the way since I didnt want to either crack the third brake light or scratch it up.

Phew...the wife would have laughed at me (Mr. Research) if it didn't fit the car I haven't even taken delivery of yet

I think I will use a piece of foam on the back of the carrier to protect the hatch... or maybe a temporary "strut limiter" like a pre-measured piece of rope tied inside trunk and to hatch would also limit upwards travel??? Hmmm...let me ponder most elegant engineering work-around....

DonD · 11-09-2009, 07:24 PM

Personally, I think Subaru should junk this new so called rack and replace it with a more traditional one where you can move the cross bars back and forth along the rails. You can always take the cross bars off if you aren't using them.

ssrgeoff · 11-09-2009, 11:05 PM

definitely not a fan of this rack design. I understand the idea, but they really should have done more research....

hthighway · 11-10-2009, 10:54 AM

I'm planning on buying the Yakima Skybox Pro 16 as well this month.

FYI, Yakima is currently a $50 rebate on the Skybox Pro series and a $25 rebate on the SkyBox series through 12/31.

Also Dick's Sporting Goods is offering a $150 gift card for any purchase over $300 through 11/30 (this may only be a southern California offer though)

Sackajacka · 11-11-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hthighway
I'm planning on buying the Yakima Skybox Pro 16 as well this month.

FYI, Yakima is currently a $50 rebate on the Skybox Pro series and a $25 rebate on the SkyBox series through 12/31.

Also Dick's Sporting Goods is offering a $150 gift card for any purchase over $300 through 11/30 (this may only be a southern California offer though)

Apparently it's CA only: Promo

JHarvey · 11-16-2009, 03:38 PM

Not sure if it is nation wide but Minnesota REI's have a 20% off sale on Thule racks and cargo boxes from November 20th through the 30th.

Looks like I will be buying the Atlantis 1600 instead of an 1800 judging by the posts here. Anyone get an 1800 to fit without making adjustments to the rear struts?

aGuyInVT · 11-17-2009, 07:42 AM

I had an entire Thule system for my XC70: Crossroads, fairing, two Side-arms, and a Ascent 1100 cargo box for the winter. None of them would work on the new OB I was hoping to buy. I told the dealer that the rack was deal breaker. The dealer agreed to mount a trailer hitch and give me enough cash back to buy a new hitch-mount bike rack and a cargo box. After selling my old system, I came out smellin' like a rose.

I bought a Thule Atlantis 1200 (shorter that I like, but works fine) and am still on the fence between Yakima or Thule for the bike rack. Will wait til spring for that though.

I think the new rack is a great example of design by focus group. It's useless for most aftermarket attachments, and has a very questionable plastic locking mechanism. Sure, it's quiet when folded away and out of use, but for many outback owners, that's just a few weeks out of the year. It also leaves a lot to be desired in terms of styling. Kinda bulky.

I bet we'll see a modification next year.

B2B · 11-17-2009, 12:15 PM

This set-up works well for me.

B2B · 11-17-2009, 12:17 PM

another view

11-09-2009, 03:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
asutriathlete Recruit Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Colorado Car: 2010 2.5i OB Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I am suprised more owners have not posted on this subject yet. For those of you who have an aftermarket rack system (Thule or Yakima) please be aware that you will be able to use very little of your current carriers. My wife and I ski or cycle nearly every weekend here in CO with friends and we normally carry a Skybox 18 and a six-pack powderhound in the winter or 4 bikes and a Skybox 18 in the summer on my old '99 Legacy wagon with another couple and dogs. Obviously I have huge crossbars to carry all of that junk, but unfortunately you cannot put aftermarket crossbars on the 2010 OB. They have made it where you can only use the factory crossbars which are 36 inches wide. This will only fit my Skybox 18 and nothing else. I spoke to an individual at SOA and he indicated he had already received over 500 complaints about the utility of the new crossbar system. I feel like the new system is a great design, but I wish they had built in the option of using an aftermarket set of crossbars as well. Just something to consider for anyone looking at the new OB. __________________ Mike

11-17-2009, 07:42 AM	#18 (permalink)
aGuyInVT Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Vermont Car: 2010 Outback 2.5 Limited Posts: 20 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I almost didn't buy because of the rack. Almost. I had an entire Thule system for my XC70: Crossroads, fairing, two Side-arms, and a Ascent 1100 cargo box for the winter. None of them would work on the new OB I was hoping to buy. I told the dealer that the rack was deal breaker. The dealer agreed to mount a trailer hitch and give me enough cash back to buy a new hitch-mount bike rack and a cargo box. After selling my old system, I came out smellin' like a rose. I bought a Thule Atlantis 1200 (shorter that I like, but works fine) and am still on the fence between Yakima or Thule for the bike rack. Will wait til spring for that though. I think the new rack is a great example of design by focus group. It's useless for most aftermarket attachments, and has a very questionable plastic locking mechanism. Sure, it's quiet when folded away and out of use, but for many outback owners, that's just a few weeks out of the year. It also leaves a lot to be desired in terms of styling. Kinda bulky. I bet we'll see a modification next year.

11-17-2009, 12:15 PM	#19 (permalink)
B2B Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN Car: 2010 3.6R Limited Posts: 13 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	This set-up works well for me. Attached Thumbnails

11-17-2009, 12:17 PM	#20 (permalink)
B2B Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN Car: 2010 3.6R Limited Posts: 13 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	another view Attached Thumbnails

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11-09-2009, 07:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
DonD Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Seattle,WA Car: 96 Outback 2.5 AT Posts: 323 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Personally, I think Subaru should junk this new so called rack and replace it with a more traditional one where you can move the cross bars back and forth along the rails. You can always take the cross bars off if you aren't using them.

11-09-2009, 11:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
ssrgeoff Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: So. Cal Car: 2010 Outback Prem Posts: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	definitely not a fan of this rack design. I understand the idea, but they really should have done more research....

11-10-2009, 10:54 AM	#15 (permalink)
hthighway Recruit Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern California Car: 2010 Outback 2.5i Premium CVT Posts: 8 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm planning on buying the Yakima Skybox Pro 16 as well this month. FYI, Yakima is currently a $50 rebate on the Skybox Pro series and a $25 rebate on the SkyBox series through 12/31. Also Dick's Sporting Goods is offering a $150 gift card for any purchase over $300 through 11/30 (this may only be a southern California offer though)

11-16-2009, 03:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
JHarvey Recruit Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Minnesota Car: 2010 Outback 2.5 Limited Posts: 9 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Not sure if it is nation wide but Minnesota REI's have a 20% off sale on Thule racks and cargo boxes from November 20th through the 30th. Looks like I will be buying the Atlantis 1600 instead of an 1800 judging by the posts here. Anyone get an 1800 to fit without making adjustments to the rear struts?

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