Recommended Roof Rack Compatible with Cargo Basket and Awning for 2019 Subaru Forester

Updated 12/17/2020 | Published 12/15/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima OffGrid Roof Cargo Basket - Steel - 44" Long x 40" Wide - 165 lbs

(78)

$648.95

Rhino-Rack Batwing Compact Awning - Roof Rack Mount - Bolt On - Passenger's Side - 69 Sq Ft

(16)

$639.57

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

(29)

$238.95

Question:

I’ve purchased a 44”x40” Yakima OffGrid and had hoped to purchase a set of Yakima Railbars to attach it to my 2019 Subaru Forester Sport with raised side rails, however, the Railbars appear to be backordered significantly into 2021. In light of this. I’m looking for an available roof rack/crossbar system that can support the OffGrid in its base configuration as well as an extension and eventually an awning mounted to either the crossbars/the basket or the basket’s accessory bars. I’ve looked into the RhinoRack Stealthbar because it seems to have a similar lower profile silhouette it would provide, like the Railbar. Based on these needs would the Stealthbar system work for mounting of the OffGrid? Or would you recommend another product or a more traditional crossbar setup like the Yakima Vortex Aero Bars or HD bars?

asked by: Wiley P

Expert Reply:

You can use the Rhino-Rack Vortex StealthBar Roof Rack - Raised, Factory Side Rails - Aluminum - Silver # JA7954 to carry a Yakima OffGrid Roof Cargo Basket - Steel - 44" Long x 40" Wide - 165 lbs # Y07138 without any issues; but there are some issues if you're planning on adding an awning at some point since the bars will sit flush with the raised side rails on your 2019 Subaru Forester.

For that reason, I recommend using the Yakima Roof Rack Kit that uses parts # Y00425 (Yakima Jetstream Bars) and # Y33TR (TimberLine TOwers), which will work with the OffGrid and allow you to add an awning like the Rhino-Rack Batwing Compact Awning - Roof Rack Mount - Bolt On - Passenger's Side - 69 Sq Ft # RR33400. This would be the best solution to allow you the most flexibility to add accessories later on and would still give you an aerodynamic roof rack system like the StealthBars you were looking at.

I've linked some review videos of these parts for you to check out, as well.

expert reply by: Erik B