How to Mount Yakima SpaceCase Cargo Box to Factory Crossbars on 2020 Subaru Forester

Question:

Hi Folks, I have a Yakima Spacecase roof top carrier that Ive had for quite a long time. I just bought a 2020 Subaru Forester and I would like to mount the Spacecase on the factory rack on the Subaru. I just wanted to be sure the Universal Mighty Mounts for Yakima roof mounted accessories will work with the Spacecase before I order. Thanks!

asked by: David F

Expert Reply:

I do have a solution for you, however I reached out to my contact at Yakima and he said the Universal MightyMounts # Y03590 aren't compatible with your older SpaceCase Cargo Box. The mounting hardware for the SpaceCase is a bit different and you won't be able to properly attach the MightyMount clamps.

Your best route for mounting the SpaceCase to the wider aero-style factory crossbars on your new Forester is to replace its existing hardware with part # 8870098. This kit consists of similar U-bolt style hardware to what the SpaceCase uses, but the U-bolts and brackets are wider, thus able to accommodate crossbars that are up to 4 inches wide.

This will require you to drill an extra hole into the box for each U-bolt. You can use some Loctite # LT37467 to seal up the old holes that won't be used anymore to keep water from getting in.

expert reply by: Chris R

Jim B.

4/3/2020

Hi Chris - thx for your response - yep Sportrack bars are too large for the unmodified/profiled Thule clamp 5267 to close - so its back to the original question - is there a means of transitioning from the Mighty Mount to the standard thule square bars - this is my preference as it enables me to keep all my 5 bike racks as-is - appreciate this is not a standard arrangement - thx is advance for your time & help.

Chris R.

4/5/2020

I see. As I mentioned before, there's really not a way to transition from the Mighty Mount attachment to Thule Square Bars. Your only option here is to either obtain larger hardware for the Thule 5267 that can mount to the Sport Rack or go with a new carrier altogether.

Jim B.

4/3/2020

Hi Chris - Thx for your reply - As you have proposed this is the arrangement I currently use - however the Thule clamp 5267 needs profiled with a jigsaw To allow it to fit the sport rack bars - to avoid this Operation I wanted to use the mighty mount instead. Hence my original question - how do I transition from the mighty mount to the Thule standard square bars?Thx

Chris R.

4/3/2020

I'm not sure there's a good way to do what you're thinking. Are the Pro Rack bars too tall to accommodate the original hardware? If so, I think your best route would actually just be to switch it out with longer U-bolts. Otherwise it might be time to simply change to a new bike rack altogether.

Jim B.

4/2/2020

Hi Chris - the standard square Thule bars are mounted on top of the campers Sportrack bars. The bike racks Thule 591 fit the Thule bars - the sportrack bars are too big for the clamps on the bike racks. So I need to secure the Thule square bars to the sportrack bars - keen to use Mighty Mount as I know these fit the Sportrack bars but I need the transition from the Mighty Mount to grip the Thule bars. Thx Jim

Chris R.

4/3/2020

The best way to accomplish this would be to use the Thule Adapter # TH532. If you just have the Thule Square Bars by themselves you could technically piece this kit together using # 853-2156, # 853-5267, # 753-2854, # 853-5269, and # 853-2154.

James

4/2/2020

How do I transition from top of mighty mount to grab my Thule square bars? I heard you have test fit these on SportRack already- will this work for me?

Chris R.

4/2/2020

I'm not quite sure what you are trying to do. Are you trying to mount a SpaceCase onto Thule square crossbars or do you have a different accessory? The Mighty Mount adapters aren't compatible with the SpaceCase Boxes.