How Much Clearance is Required to Open Rear Hatch on 2011 Subaru Outback When Using Yakima SkyBox 16

Question:

Im wondering about hatch clearance

asked by: Jasmyne C

Expert Reply:

There are a couple of measurements you'll need to take in order to determine whether or not the Yakima SkyBox NX 16 # Y95AV will fit on your vehicle. First, your factory crossbars will need to be no more than 3-1/2" wide and 1-11/16" tall. Most of the factory crossbars I've encountered from Subaru will fit without issue, but I recommend that you measure just to be safe. The other measurement you'll need to take is from the center of the front crossbar on your Subaru Outback to the edge of your opened rear hatch; as long as you have at least 47" from the center of the front crossbar to the open rear hatch, the Yakima SkyBox NX 16 will fit and allow you to open the rear hatch completely.

If you measure and find that you don't have enough clearance, please let me know how much clearance you do have and I can recommend an alternate roof box that will work on your 2011 Subaru Outback. I've also added a photo that shows these measurements referenced in this answer that you might find helpful however, the 52 inches in the photo would be 47 for this model of the SkyBox NX 16. Everything else is correct in the photo.

expert reply by: Erik B