How to Fit Yakima HD Crossbars on a 2009 Subaru Forester for a Roofnest Sparrow Eye 130 Tent

Question:

If they work with a 2009 Subaru Forester, can I match them with Yakima HD crossbars? I have a new Roofnest Sparrow Eye 130 lbs and want max weight bearable.

asked by: Ida L

Expert Reply:

I have a great solution for you to get Yakima HD crossbars on your 2009 Subaru Forester with factory raised rails to use with your Roofnest Sparrow Eye 130 tent. Unfortunately, the Evo Raised Rail Feet for Thule Crossbars - Factory Raised Rails # TH710401 only work with Thule-brand crossbars. Sadly, Thule does not make HD crossbars that are compatible with your vehicle.

However, with that being said, Yakima does have all the parts you need to mount an HD crossbar system on your raised factory rails of your 2009 Subaru Forester. For those parts, you will need the following:

- Yakima HD Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 55" Long # Y01156
- TimberLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Raised, Factory Side Rails # Y33TR
- HD Bar SL Adapter for Yakima BaseLine, SkyLine, TimberLine, and RidgeLine Towers # Y03541
- (Optional for theft deterrence) Yakima Same-Key Lock Cores # Y07204

With this crossbar system, you will have a dynamic roof weight capacity of 150 pounds and a static weight capacity of 600 pounds, which is more than plenty for a rooftop tent. I recommend consulting with your owner's manual to confirm that your 2009 Subaru Forester can accommodate that much weight. It is also important to make sure that you do not exceed the weight capacity of the Sparrow Eye 130. If you need help with the installation, I provided a video that walks through the installation process on a 2019 Jeep Cherokee. The installation to your rails will be nearly identical.

As far as the compatibility of your Roofnest Sparrow Eye 130 and the crossbars themselves, you will have enough crossbar spread for the required 28 inches for mounting the tent. The tent will also be able to clamp onto the Yakima HD Crossbars.