Adding Tie Down Anchors to Secure a Kayak on a 2015 Subaru Outback Wagon

Updated 10/14/2014 | Published 10/13/2014

Question:

I have a Thule Carrier for my 2-person Kayak with Bow and Stern racheting tie downs. I just replaced my 1997 Outback with a new 2015 one. The factory rack is plenty wide to carry the boat and my Yakima luggage carrier so I dont need to figure out some sort of way to attach different cross bars i.e the Landing Pad solution if it is updated for the 2015. What I cant figure out is where to attach the Bow and Stern Tie Downs to the vehicle. My 1997 Outback had 4 towing loops under the car - one at each corner that I used for the tie downs. The 2015 Outback doesnt seem to have anything similar. There are tie down eyes under the car in front of the front wheels but nothing I can find in the back. The front tie down for shipping maybe eyes are pretty far back from the front bumper and close to the wheels. One option in the rear seems to be the tow eye that comes with the car and attaches through a hatch on the bumper. I also found Thule Hood Loops TH529 but I am a bit worried about removing bolts under the hood to secure it and about whether this is bad for the hood. I was thinking of using the Hood Loop in the front and the Tow Hook in the back - both would have to be drivers side. Do you have any experience or ideas on how to handle securing the bow and stern tie downs on a 2015 outback? Thanks!!

asked by: Joel F

Expert Reply:

To answer your last question, I do have experience with this exact issue. A lot of people have run into this problem. It isn't always easy to find tie down points on a vehicle whether that vehicle is a 2015 Subaru Outback or a 1956 Rocket 88.

But I have an excellent solution for you. You can use the Malone Hood Loops, # MPG308. You won't have to remove any bolts, just close the cylinder under the hood (away from anything that gets hot of course!) and the other in the rear hatch. The vinyl straps will not damage the paint and there isn't enough force pulled on them to damage the metal.

You will also not have to worry about removing any bolts to mount a tie down. I have included a link to a video review to the right for you to view.

expert reply by: Michael H