subaru outback

Hi guys.
Looking into getting a new outback. Question. Can you spread yak bars wider then the limited space the  outback gives you on their factory bars?

No. That's one of the irritating things about the Outback. I think my bars are about 26" apart or something. I bought the Yakima landing pads and cross bars that replace the factory rack, and while they're wider and sturdier, they're the same distance apart. It's a huge waste of roof space.

It's enough to carry 2 kayaks, but the Tandem Island is out of the question because of this design flaw. Oh, and the $6200 it costs.

Unless someone knows a solution to this? I'd love to know too!

My 2011 Outback only allows for about 23" between the Thule load bars that attach to the factory rails.   Hullivators are supposed to have a minimum of 24 inches.  I've been using them for 4 years and they seem to be OK.   I only haul one yak,  my Revo 13.  I'm pretty sure Yakima makes an attachment that allows for further distance
Like all Thule and Yakima stuff, it's not cheap.

If you can attach rail grabbers you can install longer load bars, thule and yakima both have their own.

I have these on the factory rails on my roof, and installed 60" load bars.

http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/products/carriers-and-racks/roof-racks/feet/thule-crossroad-railing-foot-pack-450-_-13900

I don't  think  the issue is the bar length.  It's the spacing of the bars from front to back.  The rails don't allow enough space between the bars.  The result is a lot of overhang, front and back from the bars.

I don't  think  the issue is the bar length.  It's the spacing of the bars from front to back.  The rails don't allow enough space between the bars.  The result is a lot of overhang, front and back from the bars.

This is my concern. I thought I saw one with notches cut out in the rear plastic?

Ken my outback has a second position you can move it back to.  I don't what that distance is I will check the spacing when it stops raining.

I think they changed it on the 2012 or 2013.  I saw a new one the other day and it looked like there was even less distance than my 2011.  I'm pretty sure Frank's allows for at least a couple more inches than mine without installing the Yakima device.

The rack is one of the reason I didn't get the scubi last year and went with a VW sportwagon. Although the outbacks mpg have gotten better, I'm getting 40 mpg with my revo on top. For 2015 they have redesigned the VW to be a bit bigger and will give it AWD 4motion... I'll trade my in for it.

http://jalopnik.com/vw-will-bring-an-awd-manual-diesel-wagon-to-america-1562176442

I just wanted to let you know I went through the same thing about the scubi's rack system width or lack of. Good luck.

Mike

You might want to compare the Forester.  That's what I have and although I have not measured the distance between the front and back, it sure seemed it was greater on the Forester.  It also has more ground clearance than the Outback.  Just throwing it out there.

2015 contains new integration with yakima, that's solution for wider bars.

No Offense to German cars makers, but they still far back  behind Subaru from cost/quality /value standpoint

New Forester and Outback have exact same ground clearance at 8.7. Not sure about depart/approach angles, if that's what you meant, but neither are true off-roaders. Forester has fixed rails, unlike the Outback's integrated system.

Outback is a better car for the money. More room, more features, same efficiency for almost same price.

If you go new Outback, consider the 3.6 model or a 2011 (pre-FB25 engine) model.  Many FB25 owners complain of excessive oil consumption due to 0-20w requirement. The 3.6 is a more proven engine and doesn't have this issue. 2015 Outback is supposed to fix this issue with improved oil rings but time will tell.

Ken: hit me up if you have OB or Fozzy Qs. I researched the crap out of them a bit back

Igor: I agree with you 100%. The OB is the best wagon out there for the money - even if they charged $5k more

buy one without factory roof rack and bolt on some landing pads or roof rails.


What I did to my Mazda 6 wagon and its great!

No oil consumption with my 2011 Outback.  It's the four cylinder with a timing chain replacing the belt in previous years.  I think it takes 5w30 oil.

No oil consumption with my 2011 Outback.  It's the four cylinder with a timing chain replacing the belt in previous years.  I think it takes 5w30 oil.

he's talking about the newer fb/fa engines which have better fuel consumption. You have the older EJ engine.

my fb engine in my impreza doesn't burn oil but majority of horizontally opposed engines will somewhat burn a little bit of oil.

the 6 cylinder EZ engines are damn nice but gas mileage is meh