How Does Curt Roof Rack # C18118 Fit Raised Side Rails of 2020 Subaru Outback

Published 09/28/2021

Question:

Hi, Ive noticed several answers to customer questions mentioning the Curt Roof Rack C18118 and Malone AirFlow 2 MPG216 as working with the 2020+ Subaru Outback with the factory roof rack system. This system includes integrated cross bars which store in-line with the roof rails,foot but swing out and across when needed. I cant see how either of those systems would work with the standard Outbacks factory system - it does NOT have normal roof rails which these style of cross bars can clamp onto. Only the 2022 Wilderness has normal rails all other 2020-2022 models include the strange setup with the folding cross bars. Thule and Yakima make custom risers which fit into those strange factory mounting points and are unique for that specific Outback generation, but I cant fathom how cross bars which clamp on a normal roof rail would work on these wagons. I was going to attach a picture, but this article best describes and shows the goofy setup they use. Again, other than the new 2022 Wilderness, there were no other factory normal roof rails on 2020+ Outbacks, unlike the old ones present on some trim levels: Would you happen to have pictures or videos of either the Curt or Malone cross bars installed on one of these 2020-22 Outbacks?

asked by: Brian E

Expert Reply:

I attached a picture that shows how the Curt roof rack part # C18118 installs on the raised side rails of your 2021 Subaru Outback Wagon. In the picture you can see that the rack attaches to the portion of the rack that swings out which doesn't leave a wide spread for the crossbars but it does fit.

We don't have a similar setup for the Malone but it would be the same way.

expert reply by: Jameson C