Roof Rack For Carrying Rooftop Tent On 2017 Subaru Outback
Updated 12/22/2025 | Published 09/29/2024
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
Hi. I want to buy a roof top rails system for my 2017 outback. I do not trust the factory crap. It will be for a roof top tent that weighs less than 150 pounds. What do you recommend?
asked by: Bruce
Expert Reply:
Hello Bruce, thanks for reaching out. Does your 2017 Subaru outback happen to be the Touring edition? The reason I ask is because I will need to know what kind of rails are on the roof of your Subaru. The touring edition has factory rails that are flush with the roof of the car. The non-touring models have roof rails that are raised up off the roof, so please double check which you have.
For the factory flush rails, I recommend the Thule Roof Rack # TH36YG. This is a full roof rack system, so you get your fit kit, towers, and 47" aero crossbars. The Thule aero bars can easily support a 150 lb tent. Just make sure you note the carrying capacity of your roof and be careful not to exceed that rating. The roof rack can handle whatever weight the roof can handle as far as static weight. The Thule roof racks in generally are quite solid. There fit kits and towers are pretty straightforward to assemble so you won't waste a ton of time messing with parts.
If you have the factory raised rails, use the Thule WingBar Evo Roof Rack # TH44GG instead. This has the same capacity as the other rack I mentioned, only this one uses a shorter 43" bar to better fit the raised rail spacing.
Feel free to reach out with any other questions.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack - Aero Crossbars - Raised Side Rails - Aluminum - 58" Long - Silver
- Roof Rack
- Aero Bars
- 58 Inch Bar Space
- 2 Bars
- Overhang
- Silver
- Malone
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Article: Rooftop Cargo Carriers
- Q&A: Will the Yakima ShowDown Kayak Carrier Fit on Thule ProBars
- Q&A: Can Two Kayaks Be Carried on Adarac Ladder Rack of 2017 Ram 1500
- Q&A: Comparing the 50 Inch and 58 Inch Long Malone AirFlow2 Roof Racks for a 2017 Subaru Forester
- Q&A: Is The Ground Connection Incorporated Into The Plug On The Curt T-Connector C53VV?
- Article: Roof Rack Information
- Q&A: Comparing Thule AeroBlade Crossbars vs WingBar Evo Crossbars
- Q&A: Will The Malone AirFlow2 Roof Rack # MAL84AR Fit a 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness?
- Q&A: Will The Thule Hullavator Work With A Malone SteelTop Square Bar Roof Rack MPG202
- Article: The 5 Best Trailer Drop Hitches You Can Buy
- Article: Determining Trailer Tongue Weight
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: How to Install a Roof Rack
- Article: How to Correct Noise from Exhaust Rattling Against a Trailer Hitch
Jesse M.
12/22/2025
Hey Bruce, what did you end up going with for your Outback’s roof rack—did one of the Thule systems fit your rails? Your feedback could really help others looking to mount a rooftop tent on a similar setup.