Recommended Roof Rack for Using a Thule Hullavator on a 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness

Published 09/24/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack - Aero Crossbars - Raised Side Rails - Aluminum - 50" Long - Black

(1729)

$242.95

Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack - Aero Crossbars - Raised Side Rails - Aluminum - 65" Long - Black

(1729)

$260.95

Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Roof Rack and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Universal Mount

(118)

$899.95

Question:

Will the Malone 65inch Roof Rack MAL24AR work ok on a 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness? Id like to attach 2 Thule Hullavators and feel the extra overhang would help over the 58 in crossbars. When looking at the 58 inch bars on the Wilderness, there is about 6 inches of overhang. But the Outback is a bit pear-shapedfoot so I feel the extra 3.5 inches on each side would help keep the Hullavator away from the sides of the vehicle when they are lowered. It also appears that with the extra 3.5 inches on each side, the overhang is still within the width taken up by the vehicle. Meaning if I hung a string/plumb line off the end straight down, it would still basically touch the vehicle at the lower portions of the doors.

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

No, the Malone 65" item # MAL24AR isn't going to be long enough. You need 4" - 8" past the legs for the Thule Hullavator's item # TH898 lift assist function to work properly and not hit your car. The Malone may give you 3" or at most 4". Instead I recommend using the roof rack by Rhino Rack with a 71" crossbar for your 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness. Here are the parts you will need:

Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 71" Long - Qty 2 item # RRVA180B-2

Rhino-Rack SX Series Legs for Vortex Aero Crossbars - Raised Factory Side Rails - Qty 4 item # RRSX100

expert reply by: Jerred H