Anyone else have solutions to these problems?:crying: I've owned multi-years of Outbacks, and the current model I recently tried to load car-top boats onto and found absolutely no tie-points on the front or back of the vehicle (by the bumpers for longer canoes). Older models allowed the use of the front tow-anchor points. No longer. They're too far back by the wheel under the car so that any rope going up over the bumper could slide off and into the wheel as you're driving. On the rear, there are no anchors at all. I'll soon be getting out my grinder, drill, and welder to add what the car should have been equipped with initially. I've another couple of makeshift solutions that I may also modify. Any other boaters find issues with this car. In my opinion this is poor design and false advertising. Don't get me started on how the originals had included sport racks that could hold something other than featherweight items up top....
Canoe tie down points
SubieSkiMobile
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Good to know. Since you have more experience than me I'd like to ask you something else:
Do you see anything wrong with how we've been carrying our 12' kayaks? I don't attach anything at the front or rear. Just the two ratchet straps on the roof.
I've been considering building an extension into the hitch so I can load both in the bed easily and securely and quickly.
Wife is a lot shorter than me and has trouble getting the second one on top of the basket.
2021 Outback Touring, 2015 Outback (sold), 2019 Toyota LC 200, 1998 Toyota LC 100, 1987 Toyota FJ60
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100k miles on my 2015 and no problems with Yakima cross bars and the under hood straps. Driven all over the US, Canada, and Alaska with long boats on the roof. Zero issues.
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12ft decked hulls meaning not open like a canoe can be just strapped down mid girth with zero issues. The bow and stern Ties do two things. First in cases of long lightly built decked boats think Rowing shell, Hawaiian racing outrigger etc by having two separate bow lines it reduces wind load induced hull stress placed on the long bow section. Very simple idea think of a paper clip and you bend it back and forth till it breaks. Very lightly built long hulls especially open hulls like a canoe the two bow ties reduce the wind loading that can damage the hull through the side to side wind pressure.Good to know. Since you have more experience than me I'd like to ask you something else:
![Image]()
Do you see anything wrong with how we've been carrying our 12' kayaks? I don't attach anything at the front or rear. Just the two ratchet straps on the roof.
I've been considering building an extension into the hitch so I can load both in the bed easily and securely and quickly.
Wife is a lot shorter than me and has trouble getting the second one on top of the basket.
The second part of a bow tie even just a single tie is to reduce the wrenching effect on the roof rack generated by wind loads pushing on the long ends of the hull. Think about twisting a loop of twine using a stick to wind the twine tight.
In the case of fairly short hulls and also being decked so the hull is has more structure the hull its self won’t be wracked/twisted when wind loads press on the bow. A open hull like a canoe when pushed against at the bow on one side will cause the hull to want to take a twisted shape. If you cycle that rate enough over road trips and such the canoe starts to go soft structurally which sucks if you have a favorite canoe.
Okay, I'll try to comment to everyone helping here...
Ktiemann - yes, the XV picture looks the same.
Tishers - absolutely - that's why this is a safety issue Subaru should be addressing with their future Outbacks. They should be making their future vehicles improve, not digress.
Tmac - Thanks to you and others - yes, these straps look to be the best solution. I've popped my hood and inspected inside and out both front and rear. My plan is to bolt in the straps to empty holes in the steel (sheet metal) frame near the headlights. This certainly won't be as strong as a frame-anchor; however, should be plenty strong enough to hold boats when the straps are also caught under the latched hood. On the rear, I'll use the straps that look like their attached to a stiff plastic or rubber pipe just put under the latched hatch. Brucey & all - I noticed you've discussed various issues with others not having the straps anchored in good locations. Does my idea sound solid considering using the empty bolt-holes near the lights on either side of center near the headlights under the hood? I'd say it's the best option I've found so far...
Brucey - I believe whatever "baby-loops" you've mentioned on the previous generations were on the front bumper assembly which likely were plastic. What I had used for the 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2006 models was the welded 3/8" steel tow loops (okay somewhere between 6 and 10mm I can't remember without the vehicle in front of me) that were underneath the bumper assembly back a little further; but, still within easy reach. They were just to the inside of each fog light and made running a rope to them a real breeze once you got down on your knees enough to reach them. On the back of the vehicles (none of mine had trailer hitches - I still should get one) there was another loop of the same diameter steel that was no further back than it was on the front, right in the center and welded to the body. I had wonderful experiences of using both the front and back anchor points to winch other vehicles out of snowy ditches with no issues, so I know they were plenty strong enough for carrying boats. They had also been used to winch one or two of those Subaru's up onto flatbeds as they were the official tow-points on the Outback versions I had.
Ktiemann - yes, the XV picture looks the same.
Tishers - absolutely - that's why this is a safety issue Subaru should be addressing with their future Outbacks. They should be making their future vehicles improve, not digress.
Tmac - Thanks to you and others - yes, these straps look to be the best solution. I've popped my hood and inspected inside and out both front and rear. My plan is to bolt in the straps to empty holes in the steel (sheet metal) frame near the headlights. This certainly won't be as strong as a frame-anchor; however, should be plenty strong enough to hold boats when the straps are also caught under the latched hood. On the rear, I'll use the straps that look like their attached to a stiff plastic or rubber pipe just put under the latched hatch. Brucey & all - I noticed you've discussed various issues with others not having the straps anchored in good locations. Does my idea sound solid considering using the empty bolt-holes near the lights on either side of center near the headlights under the hood? I'd say it's the best option I've found so far...
Brucey - I believe whatever "baby-loops" you've mentioned on the previous generations were on the front bumper assembly which likely were plastic. What I had used for the 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2006 models was the welded 3/8" steel tow loops (okay somewhere between 6 and 10mm I can't remember without the vehicle in front of me) that were underneath the bumper assembly back a little further; but, still within easy reach. They were just to the inside of each fog light and made running a rope to them a real breeze once you got down on your knees enough to reach them. On the back of the vehicles (none of mine had trailer hitches - I still should get one) there was another loop of the same diameter steel that was no further back than it was on the front, right in the center and welded to the body. I had wonderful experiences of using both the front and back anchor points to winch other vehicles out of snowy ditches with no issues, so I know they were plenty strong enough for carrying boats. They had also been used to winch one or two of those Subaru's up onto flatbeds as they were the official tow-points on the Outback versions I had.
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Subieski the webbing loops should be mounted so that when they are in use under tension they do not pry up on the hood. You can tweak the lightweight hood doing that then it wont lay flush to the fendes etc.
The webbing loop goes under an existing fender bolt so that when being used its simply passed between the fender and the hood and any load is placed on a bolt at the fender. The strap doesn’t lay under the hood except when not in use.
I will try to take a photo tomorrow if I can remember.
The webbing loop goes under an existing fender bolt so that when being used its simply passed between the fender and the hood and any load is placed on a bolt at the fender. The strap doesn’t lay under the hood except when not in use.
I will try to take a photo tomorrow if I can remember.
2022 OB Tour 2.5 "OB3",Green, 20 mm RSB, Vred HighTrac tires, (3rd OB). City car is Kia Niro HEV
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https://www.rei.com/product/818227/s...ick-loops-pair
These "hood hookers"are wonderful, work like a charm; especially for short kayaks (mine is 9' Hobie Cat Mirage). They are secure, prevent ropes from rubbing on paint, and you don't need to get on your hands & knees to find a place to secure the rope under the bumper.
I have used them on Honda Del Sol, Honda Fit, VW Golf, Forester, & 2010 & 2015 Outbacks. I just put em under the hood in a logical place (anywhere there is a flat area at least 3" long) and have not bolted em down. Never a problem with them coming loose or bending the hood.
I have also used them for the back tie downs on Del Sol. Otherwise secure the back using the trailer hitch or an "Eye" bolt (similar to what is used for tie downs on transport).
These "hood hookers"are wonderful, work like a charm; especially for short kayaks (mine is 9' Hobie Cat Mirage). They are secure, prevent ropes from rubbing on paint, and you don't need to get on your hands & knees to find a place to secure the rope under the bumper.
I have used them on Honda Del Sol, Honda Fit, VW Golf, Forester, & 2010 & 2015 Outbacks. I just put em under the hood in a logical place (anywhere there is a flat area at least 3" long) and have not bolted em down. Never a problem with them coming loose or bending the hood.
I have also used them for the back tie downs on Del Sol. Otherwise secure the back using the trailer hitch or an "Eye" bolt (similar to what is used for tie downs on transport).
I have a 1937 Old Town wood canvas Canoe that I don’t want to try to lift over the roof so I went with a trailer. Works better for me.
![Image]()
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I was actually going to post about these and ask peoples opinions of them. Good to know these work well, it looks like a quick and easy way to tie down a bow and stern, thanks!
That is not off topic for me. I can now see myself buying a kayak.Or you can get a Keeper rooftop bag and an inflatable SeaEagle FT Kayak and it's all easy as pie.
A bit off topic but anyway ...
![Image]()
Look into the SeaEagle 385 fast track series. Built super tough, tracks like a hard shell.
2018 3.6R limited w/eyesight Subaru Outback....sold my 2011, Subaru Outback, 2,5i Spt Pack.
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I do the same thing for my 60 lb fishing kayak since Subaru clearly !@#$%! on making an outdoor car useful to tie down stuff. Kudos to the roof tie down rings at least. From their commercial ads, you can see them tying down their kayaks at the bow and stern...but where?? Those front undercarriage tie down are recessed so far back it's retarded to use them. I used to tie to them on my 11' but got fed up trying to reach under or to the side. I bought those hood hookers instead which it fast and easy. My rear hitch takes care of the stern. Thank god!...
If you're reading this Subaru...hope your 2020 Outback comes with some bow and stern tie downs...it would be so logical for an outdoor advertised car.
This would have been clearly an outdoor design requirement ....How was this missed??? Duh!!.....
2021 Outback Touring, 2015 Outback (sold), 2019 Toyota LC 200, 1998 Toyota LC 100, 1987 Toyota FJ60
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No. It is recommended to not use these when driving as they can interfere with the proper deployment of the airbags in the event of an accident.
Yes, I know. I am wondering if anybody is using the tow hooks anyway. They seem so convenient. >
This was my plan before I saw the temporary tie down loops you can buy. I had zero knowledge that using the tow hooks could affect the air bags.Yes, I know. I am wondering if anybody is using the tow hooks anyway. They seem so convenient. >
I bought the loops, now I just need the kayak and kayak rack. :grin2:
This seems like very unlikely. Like some fine print that needs to be there for the lawyers. The 6" tow pin is threaded into the bumper beam. Are we to believe that a front end collision hard enough to deploy the air bag is going to fudged by hitting the toe hook and not deploying the bag.
I know we are talking about canoes, but this is really fishy.
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