Subaru Forester
TOUGH TOURING ROOF TOP TENT RACKS FOR THE SUBARU FORESTER​
The Tough Touring Subaru Forester roof rack is fitted into the factory roof channels via 6 x High Tensile m8 Reverse Dome nuts each side - Giving it the same foundation strength as the majority of 4wd wagons on the market (Toyota Prado, Nissan y62 Patrol etc).
The rack is shorter though at 1800mm long, as it needs to be mounted 80mm further forward from the rear door than any other rack on the market as the rear tailgate door opens up HIGH.
Pole less wing awnings are not able to be fitted as they cannot swing out around the door and the car is just too low to stand under any pole less awning anyway.
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The Tough Touring Rack weighs in at just 20Kgs (with the included 33mm high Top hat Bar planks.) and the surprise is that despite the slightly lower RLR (Roof Load Rating) stated by the manufacturer - the Subaru in standard format seems to handle typical RTT weight quite well. (Certainly no worse than majority of trucks we work on).
For more information on this - we have explained our Opinion on Roof load ratings and what they mean here.
As a small 4wd Wagon, the Subaru is a challenge to find much internal storage space for all your gear in the back - We've gone down the road of building Dual Battery systems as "portable" units to get the installs more affordable and allow total removal to return the car to standard easily.
Portable power stations are small and affordable if your camping weekends only (short trips) and if your travelling longer than that (Fridges and inverters) start getting attractive - RPS (Renewable Power stations) are the go.
You can only run 'Pull out' awnings on the Subary due to its low roof height.
Fitting Roof racks to the Subaru
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The Subaru Forester from factory has a clever lightweight plastic rail set up with two factory cross bars, these are neat and really well designed for small / light loads, however they are not wide or strong enough for any RTT or typical touring rack loads...
Under the roof skin - 6 x pressed studs each side secure the plastic factory rails. These need to be removed and replaced with High Tensile threaded dome nuts - (AIR BAGS FILL THE CAVITY) for more on this see our listing on the kit here.
So yes - to fit any aftermarket roof rack to the Subary - You must first remove the roof lining , remove the factory studs, remove the plastic factory roof rail racks, then fit a 'reverse dome nut kit' on the Subaru Forester every time -
What are our Picks of the best rooftop tents for the Prado and Why? Two tents here that are both in first place.
1. Tuff Trek Mk 3 - High Lifting Clamshell
The Roof rack you can sleep in" - This is a super low profile tent that gives you somewhere to carry dirty gear on the Subaru - as well as accommodation! It Can be mounted without a roof rack - Getting it lower ans stronger than any other unit weve installed... (Tuff Trek Mk3 sits just 20mm off the roof). At 87Kgs - Its 10Kgs Heavier than the Bundutec Bundutop - but its actually lighter overall when fitted (See below)
The Tuff Trek Mk3 at 87 kgs, wins 'lightest tent' by design, because it can be mounted without the roof rack planks/ platform. Lowering its stance and lowering weight on the rack (and saving money) More on these incredible new tents here "Tuff trek Mk3 Roof top tent"
1. Bundutec Bundutop Standard Size 1350 x 2100:
For ultimate touring comfort, the Bundutop is an Electric powered Straight lift tent that offers set up and pack up at push of a button) privacy, skirt protection from rain even with open windows as well as ample internal space to store Bedding / Clothes and lighweight camp chairs - Its Our choice for the Best Combination of Space to weight and comfort suited to longer term touring in the Prado due to its limited space.
The Bundutop scores a 48 out of 50 in the key ingredients of a long-term touring tent's most important attributes. Its straight-lift design gives it unrivalled performance with regards to airflow and Comfortable Dry Accommodation in Wind and Rain. It sits solid in strong wind, fast to set up (Push the Button), It Can be fitted with Up to 400W of solar panel using our kits - it is probably impossible to beat for the hard-core tourer travelling with a Prado due to all the above combined with a short 2.1m footprint and only 76Kgs Mattress in.
Its Square sides are perfect for mounting recovery gear, shovels axles and Pole Less awnings using our Awning to tent brackets...
Its downside is its lack of carrying ability on top - but then again if all your carrying is solar panels - it does this well and well - IT IS SO COMFORTABLE !!! a winner of a touring tent.
