Can Yakima SkyBox NX 16 Cargo Box Y95AV & 2 Roof Bike Carriers Fit 2015 Subaru Outback Wagon  

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Expert Reply:

The Yakima SkyBox NX 16 Cargo Box # Y95AV measures 35-inches wide at its exterior. I checked the specs for your car's factory roof rack, but the crossbar side-to-side length is not noted on the Subaru website, only the roof's 150-lb maximum weight capacity. Please take note of this.

Odds are pretty good that your 48-lb cargo box plus the weight of your two bikes and their carriers will approach this limit, but once you start loading cargo into the Skybox you will likely exceed the vehicle's capacity. The total combined weight of everything on the roof - the cargo box, its contents, the bikes racks, and the bikes - cannot exceed this 150-lb maximum. Since you have a large cargo box that can hold quite a bit, you'll want to ensure that you do not overload the roof.

Some roof-mount bike racks are quite light, such as the Swagman Fork Down # S64710 at 6-1/2-lbs, but others are much heavier, like the Yakima FrontLoader # Y02103 at 18-lbs. Let's just walk through the math on this.

Box = 48-lbs
Yakima Carrier = 2 x 18 = 36 (or 2 x 6-1/2-lbs = 13)
Bikes = 2 x 35-lbs average = 70

Without ANY cargo in the box if using the Yakima carriers you are at 154-lbs total roof load - already over the limit. Even if you used lightweight bike carriers that saves you only about 23-lbs and the Skybox's large capacity will be largely unused.

A better option is to install a trailer hitch receiver and use a hitch-mount bike rack. This method leaves you plenty of roof weight capacity for your cargo and puts the weight load of the bikes and their carrier on the vehicle's frame - its strongest part. We offer several 2-inch hitches for your Outback wagon as long as it is not the Sport model. I recommend the Curt hitch # C13206 because it offers a high capacity and is the least costly option available.

With this hitch installed you can use any compatible Class III hitch bike carrier, even ones that have more than a 2-bike capacity. Using a larger-capacity rack like a 3- or 4-bike model means you have more space between your bikes for safer travel or you can carry additional bikes when you need to. The link provided will show you all rack options. We even have combination bike/cargo carriers such as the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE Platform Bike Rack/Cargo Carrier # HR1400Z-85 which is shown in the linked video.

Please take a look at the linked articles on hitch racks and let me know something about your bikes and I'll be glad to work with you to find the best solution for you.

expert reply by: Adam R

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