Mounting Aftermarket Crossbars to 2018 Subaru Forester Factory Side Rails

Published 10/13/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima HD Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 68" Long - Qty 2

(165)

$318.95

etrailer Cam Buckle Cinch Straps w/ Buckle Protectors - 1" x 13' - 293 lbs - Qty 2

(141)

$11.58

Rightline Gear Moki Door Step - 400 lbs

(146)

$35.65

HD Bar Adapter for Yakima Streamline Towers - Qty 4

(136)

$30.51

TimberLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Raised, Factory Side Rails - Qty 4

(37)

$274.95

Question:

I have a 2019 Subaru Forester with standard side rails and Subaru Aerobar crossbars. I have been carrying a 30inch wide kayak on foam blocks that clip to the crossbars. Works wonderfully. Wife is now interested, so I now need to carry two kayaks. I prefer the lay-down profile as opposed to J-racks. This 68inch crossbar would accommodate two 30inch wide kayaks laying flat and leave 4inch sticking out for the tie-downs. What I need to find out is if there is an adapter to mount these 68inch bars to my Subaru side rails.

asked by: John C

Expert Reply:

The first thing you need to check is that the crossbars you use don't go past your side mirrors. Any longer can be a safety problem, or even illegal in some areas.

With that said, to adapt the Yakima HD Crossbars- 68" # Y01158 for your Subaru side rails, you need the 4pcs of the HD bar adapter # Y03541 and 4pcs of the Yakima TimberLine Towers # Y33TR. I attached a video showing how we installed the TimberLine Towers onto the rails of a 2018 Forester. To see how the HD bar adapters work, there's another video of them on a 2018 Ford Expedition.

These crossbars pair well with the Yakima 30-inch Crossbar Pads for Square Crossbars # Y07415 for your second 30" kayak as well as some extra straps # E98876-2.

With two kayaks lying flat on your Forester, you might need some extra reach to tie them down. I have a video using the Rightline Gear Moki Door Step # RL100660 on a Subaru Forester that you or your wife might be interested in. I use the door step A LOT here at etrailer when working with roof racks and their accessories.