2024 subaru outback stock crossbars

Hello all, just got a 2024 subaru outback. After reading some thread on hear, it seemed like a logical choice, and a lot of people swear by them. My question is, are the stock/factory retractable bars capable of carrying a 15 foot / 30 lbs canoe at highway speed (70 to 80 mph around 18 wheelers) for 5 to 6 hours? Also on my current set up I use, and like, the gunwhale end points/ supports. Any ideas for them? In the owners manual there is a difference between the regular outback and wilderness edition (static vs dynamic) weight loads. Any advise is appreciated.
××××× Just an up date! That lambo was my first choice, but after listening to Susie Orman (a celebrity investment consultant) I just could not do it.
×××××Hay Glen thanks for the offer, would you have minded taking to out to allagash village or Jackman, from you're location? What a trip, and still under warranty? Maybe a 4 and half hours for you?

Should be no problem, just properly secure the load. I’ve carried more on my 2017 Outback.
Jim

I've done about that with my 2015 and a 16'4" 65# tandem. (per internet pics, the stock rack is the same design as your year.) Boatman53 is right that you need to get things really secured. I use a pair of 1" ratchet straps cinched down about as far as they can go with hand pressure as my primaries.

Ripple said:

on my current set up I use, and like, the gunwhale end points/ supports. Any ideas for them?

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Pics? What do they latch into on your current setup?

Do watch how far forward the canoe sits. One of the reasons that I don't do the under-hood bow tie-downs that some advocate for is that if I center the canoe far enough forward to reach the hardpoints under my hood, the canoe is pointing too far downhill and blocking some of my visibility. My bow doesn't come much forward of the back edge of the hood.

One thing to keep in mind is windage. The outback gets it's great-for-its-size-and-weight-class fuel economy by being a rather lean, low slung beastie. A canoe doesn't add much parasitic drag - you probably won't notice a difference in fuel economy unless you keep very precise records - but it does add a significant sail area for crosswinds. You will feel more buffeting from those semis, and a strong crosswind might also limit your safe speed. I had a trip where I found 70 to be too fast, but that was in high wind conditions (see this trip report for an idea of what the wind was up to) with the wind coming right about perpendicular to the road.

That sail area doesn't just play with handling, though. It's another reason to make sure your tie-downs are really good. The crossbars are only spaced out by about 30", so if some weird eddy in the airflow puts significantly different pressures on the front and back, the canoe has a lot of lever arm to magnify that force on your straps.

I have a 22 Outback and had a 2014 before that. Same rack. Have had up to 60 lbs + canoes tied down securely with a piece of carpet under each contact point, plus I use 2 hood loops which keep the canoe pointed straight ahead by removing any front lateral side wind stress. At max speed limits, meeting semis is no problem. I agree with the previous poster regarding the advantages of the Outback's low profile.
https://www.amazon.ca/KAPMOZ-Anchor-Straps-Transport-Lashing/dp/B07GF8FSF5?th=1

Does the Outback come with stock crossbars, much like in previous year models? I just bought a 2024 Forester Wilderness, and my wife got a Forester Limited model. Surprisingly, neither came with crossbars, But I was able to dismount the crossbars from my 2016 Forester and also from my wife's 2015 Forester trade-ins. After making some adjustments I was able to make them fit and they work just fine for carrying my solo canoes. For anything larger I still have my old square bar Thule bars and mounts which do attach to fit the 2024 Foresters.

I used those Thules (along with a trailer hitch support) to carry a 23' C4 canoe from NY state over 3000 miles to the Yukon and back in 2017. I also had several gear bags stuffed underneath the canoe as extra capacity loads. Under hood bow tie down straps and rope were essential for stability when in strong cross winds of the Canadian plains, and especially when strongly buffeted by passing semis. Gunwale stop blocks on the Thule bars are very important too.

My 2015 has place to attach straps for extra security. Not sure if they still do that. Also mine has a place to screw in tow hooks right front and left rear. One tow hook was supplied. If you have a trailer hitch it covers the left rear but trailer hitch a great safety tiedown . I often slip a strap around the hood hinge to stiffen up the front of the canoe. Gunnel stops to keep the canoe from sliding on the bars too. Should be able to fashion something.

Thanks for all the replies. I was just worried about those retractable bars ripping up, and out. On my last set up I used Thule square bars with gunwale stops. Are any of you using gunwale stops on the retractable bars. I thinking of just wrapping tape around and around to build up a stop. ( like the end of a hockey stick.)

Gerald said:

I use 2 hood loops which keep the canoe pointed straight ahead by removing any front lateral side wind stress. At max speed limits, meeting semis is no problem. I agree with the previous poster regarding the advantages of the Outback's low profile.
https://www.amazon.ca/KAPMOZ-Anchor-Straps-Transport-Lashing/dp/B07GF8FSF5?th=1

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Ooh... Good point about reducing lateral force - I've often seen people advocate a forward tiedown that applies a large amount of downward force, which always seemed not a good idea. I also like that removable loop design - You may have helped me upgrade my carry rig.

Ripple said:

worried about those retractable bars ripping up, and out.

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mostly, a snugged down canoe is applying some downward force.

I don't use gunwale stops on the subbey. I use enough tie down force to spring wedge the bars. The straps do go to the cleats on the rails, not around the bars. I did use gunwale stops on my previous square-bar rack, but that was a custom build where the stops were the tie-down points.

I carried my Clipper Solitude on my wife's 2020 Outback with no problem. Cam straps wrapped one turn around the bars at each side made it pretty much wiggle proof.

One thing though.....those bars have some coarse texture that grinds off a noticeable amount of the vinyl gunwale sleeve. Leaves white marks on the bars.

I have learned that the back cross bar can be easily re mounted abot 8" back. Gonna do that! Also I found spots under the hood and plastic that look good for tie down points. Subaru have been getting some good press around hear.

Ripple said:

I have learned that the back cross bar can be easily re mounted abot 8" back.

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Source? I would find that handy...

sailsman63 said:

Source? I would find that handy...

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There is a second set of connects about 8 inch back. He is correct, and it is easy to do the switch. The stock bars are just fine for a canoe. I have a 2020 outback.

Its in the owner manual. But if you look at the passenger side rear, the mount is right behind it. I've been told it won't secure when retracted, and have to put back in stock position.

I have carried 16 foot canoes at highway speeds. Bow and stern lines (in addition to belly straps) are your friend.

For load stops I recommend Yakima universal mightymounts.


Looks like there may be some newer mightymount options too.

The Yakima gunwale brackets made for Yakima aero bars also work fine on my wife's CRV but without knowing the exact shape of your crossbars the mighty mounts seem like a safer choice. Both shown in pic

Just tied my canoes on my Dodge Durango. Have an Outback but two canoes cruising up I. 29 in ND is no fun in a quarter ing gale. I like to use the hood hinge for a strap anchor point. Lines up well with front thwart. Then I put taut strap connecting both canoes together at first little thwart. Really stiffens things up and no ropes stretched over the hood. I prefer to get some support nearer the ends of the canoe for less movement on the interstate. I do have the usual straps to the bars too.