We are using my buddies 2013 Subaru Outback with a factory roof rack for our trip this Spring. We are planning on transporting our boats from the outfitter and we need to fit 2 boats on the car. I have a Yakima rack with extended bars but I can't see an easy way to attach my control towers to his car.

All I can find online is the Yakima Landing Pads . I am not thrilled about the extra cost since the rack won't be staying on his car. Anyone with experience using a yakima rack on an Outback?

If you're only thinking of a single use you may be able to make something that will work with a couple of 2x4s. There have been a lot if DIY rack discussions on the board.

I have a 2011 Subaru, and I can tell you that the factory racks kind of blow for a canoe. They're really slippery, and they're way too close together. I have a Thule rack that I attach to the crossbars so the slipperiness isn't an issue. The problem is that the front and rear crossbars are only about 2 ft apart, if that. I've never had any problems yet, but I do get nervous with an 18ft boat on the freeway.

this is why I went with a Forester instead of the Outback. The rack that they put on the outback is a POS. There is no way to add yakima crossbars and have them be more than a few feet apart. Damn shame couse I wouldn't mind getting an Outback.

Yakima recommends a 30 inch minimum bar spread. On our Taurus X, they're set at 36 inches. They could be set farther apart, but leaving the Landing Pads where they are at 36 allows quicker changeover to bikes, skis, etc.

quote schweady: "Yakima recommends a 30 inch minimum bar spread. On our Taurus X, they're set at 36 inches. They could be set farther apart, but leaving the Landing Pads where they are at 36 allows quicker changeover to bikes, skis, etc.

"

Did you have to drill holes to attach the landing pads?

quote Bwoods: "Did you have to drill holes to attach the landing pads? "

No, I used Landing Pad #4's, following the advice/instructions of LarryQW on this forum. The 2008 Taurus X was identical to the previous year's Freestyle, except they changed the roofline so that the factory rail sat right on top of the roof at the rear (no space for the previous tower solution to grab). Yakima has since solved this with their RailGrab Towers, but they didn't come out with those until a year after I had done this. Not 100% Yakima-approved, but 100% solid.

does the outfitter offer transport for a reasonable fee?

Mocha: The outfitter will do the shuttle for a good price, I just prefer to transport ourselves especially at the end of the trip when I don't know exactly when we will finish and if we will have cell reception to call for early or late pickup.

Am curious if transporting one canoe on the Subaru was problematic? Soon in the market for a small 4WD and the Outback is a finalist. Feedback appreciated.

AdamX

I've used Yakima Landing Pads on the new 2012/2013 and older Foresters with no problems. The new Outbacks are a different story. I was in the market for a new car last year and didn't get an Outback just because I thought there really was not an acceptable rack. They tried to get all fancy with that rack that folds into the side rails to save MPG. A decent effort, but what you're left with is a less functional rack in my mind. Might be OK for bikes, but even then, you're not going to take your bike carrier on and off the roof when you're not using it - at least I wouldn't. And for canoes you can't really extend the spread of the crossbars, or add Yakima crossbars from what I understood. So I gave up on Subaru and got a VW Sportwagen (TDI) that gets almost twice the MPGs and works great with Landing Pads.. plus I can get a huge, stable spread with my crossbars and carry anything I want.

quote AdamXChicago: "Am curious if transporting one canoe on the Subaru was problematic? Soon in the market for a small 4WD and the Outback is a finalist. Feedback appreciated.


AdamX"

I drive a 07 Outback and haul a Wenonah Adirondack on top, it fits just fine. Have also carried a Souris River Q17 without any problems.

Get the Forester. Mine is a 2012 model. Thule crossbars and feet on the factory roof rails.

Have you figured you issue out yet in regards to the Subaru roof rack ,there is a way to do it . I have all the stuff.

I learned not to base my vehicle choice on the factory rack.

Find the vehicle you want, preferably w/o a rack at all. Factory racks are mostly junk, especially the late model Outbacks! Get the Yakima Tracks, take the car to a shop that installs headliners, and have them drop the headliner and permanently mount the Track to the roof with locknuts on the underside of the roof. IF you feel comfortable with setting a permanent front/rear spacing, use the Landing Pad 6's instead. The crossbars are mounted with Control Towers.

Do this when the car is brand new (or new to you) and get it over with, and enjoy an excellent rack system for the life of the vehicle.

I did it on my 03 Honda CRV (which offers too short front/rear spacing using the side rails that are standard on all CRVs of the 02-06 model years). I have four landing pads on the roof permanently mounted, and they are hardly noticeable. The crossbars attach and de-attach in seconds and are spaced pretty far apart front/rear. I straddled the roof structure crossbraces with the landing pads. I can easily haul two 17' long 65 lb Kruger Sea Winds on my Honda with confidence.

Joe