Which Roof Mounted Cargo Baskets Will Fit a 2011 Subaru Forester With or Without Factory Roof Rack

Expert Reply:

As long as your 2011 Subaru Forester has cross bars that run side to side that are less than 3-1/4 inches wide, the Rola Roof Mounted Cargo Basket, # 59504, will fit. The cross bars will need to be 26-1/4 inches apart, center to center, 30 inches apart center to center, 33-3/4 inches apart center to center, or 37-1/2 inches apart center to center. I have included a link to the installation details and a video review of this basket. Installation is not difficult and I am sure even the most novice person could successfully install the basket.

Another basket that is a direct fit for the factory cross bars is the Yakima LoadWarrior Roof Rack Cargo Basket, # Y07070. I have included a link to the installation details for this basket as well.

For both of the above baskets and provided you have the factory roof rack, no additional mounting accessories will be needed. But, if the vehicle just has factory rails that run front to back, you will need to add cross bars before you can install a basket. There are two kits available. For the Rola kit, you would need Rola Extended Series Roof Rack with RE Mounting System, # 59826.

The other available kit is from Yakima. For it you will need Yakima RailGrab Towers for Flat and Raised Side Rails (QTY 4), # Y00138, and Round 48 Inch CrossBars for Yakima Roof Rack System (QTY 2), # Y00408.

If your Forester has a naked roof, there are 2 roof rack kits available, both from Yakima. For the first one, you would need Q116 Q Clips for Yakima Q Towers (QTY 4), # Y00716, Round 58 Inch CrossBars for Yakima Roof Rack System (QTY 2), # Y00409, and Yakima Q Towers Roof Rack Feet for Naked Roof (QTY 4), # Y00124.

For the other system, you would need LandingPad 11 for Yakima Control Towers, # Y00233, Round 48 Inch CrossBars for Yakima Roof Rack System (QTY 2), # Y00408, and Yakima Control Towers - Roof Rack Feet (QTY 4), # Y00214.

expert reply by: Michael H