Will Thule fit on Subaru crossbars?

Yes, Thule roof‐rack accessories (bike racks, cargo boxes, water‐sport carriers, etc.) will fit Subaru’s factory crossbars. According to Thule’s own Fit Guide, “almost all Thule roof‐mounted bike carriers can be mounted on factory‐installed vehicle crossbars that have been certified by Thule Fit…”. Subaru’s OEM aero and extended crossbars are explicitly designed to work with Thule accessories, and multiple Subaru owners report seamless compatibility. You will, however, need the correct Thule foot packs (e.g. Rapid Traverse, Evo Clamp) and, in some cases, a vehicle‐specific Fit Kit to clamp onto Subaru’s flush rails or custom bars.

Subaru OEM Crossbars

Aero & Extended Bars

Part Numbers:

• Aero Extended (Ascent, Outback Wilderness): SOA567X070
• Fixed bars (WRX/STI 2018–2021): SOA567X050

Design:

• Aerodynamic profile to minimize wind noise and drag.
• Large mounting surface compatible with Thule and genuine Subaru accessories.

Flush & Raised Rails

Subaru models with flush rails (e.g., Crosstrek, Forester Wilderness) allow fitment of Thule Rapid Traverse or Evo foot packs directly onto the OEM rails.

Models with raised rails require Evo clamp foot packs and possibly a Fit Kit for secure mounting.

Thule Compatibility

Thule Fit Guide

Bike Racks: Almost all Thule roof‐mounted bike carriers can be mounted on factory‐installed vehicle crossbars that have been certified by Thule Fit.

Cargo Boxes: Thule cargo carriers will fit most vehicles outfitted with Thule crossbars and most factory‐installed crossbar systems.

Foot Packs & Fit Kits

Foot Pack Options:

• Rapid Crossroad / Rapid Traverse – for gutter rails or flush rails.
• Evo Clamp – for raised rails and naked roofs (with correct Fit Kit).

Fit Kits: Vehicle‐specific kits (e.g. Thule Fit Kit 187013/Evo Fit Kit 7013) adapt foot packs to Subaru’s rail dimensions and profiles.

Thule Roof Rack Systems on Subaru

System	Bars (T-track)	Load Capacity	Key Features
WingBar Evo	Aero bars, T-slots	220 lb	Aerodynamic, quiet, QuickAccess T-track
SquareBar Evo	Square bars	165 lb	Traditional square profile
ProBar Evo	Wide square bars	200 lb	Heavy-duty, extra-wide mounting surface

Each system uses the same foot packs (Evo Clamp, Rapid) and Fit Kits to adapt to Subaru rails.

Installation Tips

1. Check Your Rail Type: Identify whether your Subaru has raised, flush, or naked rails.
2. Select Foot Packs: Choose Thule foot packs compatible with your rails (Rapid for gutters/flush, Evo Clamp for raised).
3. Order Fit Kit: Use Thule’s Vehicle Fit Guide (“Select Your Vehicle” tool) to find the correct Fit Kit Thule Support.
4. Follow Torque Specs: Tighten foot pack bolts to Thule’s recommended torque to ensure safe load capacity.
5. Test Before Loading: After installation, apply moderate load and drive slowly to confirm security before a full load.

When to Consider Subaru OEM Thule Bars

Thule recommends not using factory crossbars for rooftop tents unless they extend past all mounting points. Subaru’s OEM Thule Extended Bars (SOA567X070) are rated up to 700 lb stationary and are expressly designed for heavy gear.

Thule’s modular system (bars + foot packs + Fit Kits) was built to accommodate a vast array of factory crossbar profiles – including Subaru’s. As long as you match the foot pack and Fit Kit to your Subaru’s rail type, your Thule bike racks, cargo boxes, kayak carriers, and more will fit securely and perform as intended.

What size Thule box fits on a Subaru Outback?

Measures 65″ L x 34.5″ W x 16″ H. Roof accessories require Crossbar Set. Consult vehicle owner’s manual for total roof load limit.

Will my Thule roof bars fit any car?

Thule roof bars are available for virtually all car makes and models on the market, including many previous models. To see all of the Thule roof bar and roof rack choices that are available for your particular vehicle, first select your car make and model from our regularly updated roof bar guide.

Does Thule Force XL fit on Subaru Outback?

The Thule Force XT XL is an 18 ft³ / 510-liter roof box (or cargo box) that’s easy to open, simple to install, and was one of the first things I purchased for my Subaru Outback.

How much weight can Subaru crossbars hold?

These fixed-style crossbars can be installed or removed in minutes. May be used in conjunction with Genuine Subaru roof attachments and carriers. Total roof load weight limit of 150 lbs.

Do Thule boxes affect gas mileage?

Rear cargo boxes have no impact on your battery or fuel consumption*. Thanks to the rear cargo box’s location at the back of the car, it’s a spot that naturally causes very little wind drag.

Are Subaru crossbars compatible with Thule?

Quick and easy installation/removal, the crossbars provide a large surface area to mount multiple accessories. Compatible with Thule® Genuine Subaru roof accessories. Consult vehicle owner’s manual for total roof load limit. Thule® Crossbars are suitable for use with roof top tents.

Are all Subaru crossbars the same?

In conclusion, not all Subaru roof racks are compatible with all vehicles. Therefore it’s critical to know which one will work with yours. Additionally, Subaru models’ available roof rack alternatives will vary depending on the model year and generation and the roof or roof rail system.

How do I know if Thule will fit my car?

To see which cargo carriers are compatible with your vehicle’s crossbars, enter your car’s information and crossbar type into the “Select Your Vehicle” tool on the Thule.com Roof Box product page .

Do all roof boxes fit all roof bars?

Some brands will allow universal fittings while other roof boxes will only fit to specific roof bars.

How to install Thule roof box on Subaru Outback?

It up onto the roof. And sliding it at an angle onto the roof rack while maintaining it on that angle. Position the mounting Clause over the crossbars. This is important check the roof boxes centered.