HE Guys - Opinions On the Yakima Mega Warrior

[Blackford Oakes]

I've been considering a few methods to augment my cargo carrying capacity. I've almost pulled the trigger on a Yakima Exo system a few times, but it's an expensive system that'll come with adding air bags (my preference) and I'm just not interested in a project right now. I currently have an old Yakima Basket Case attached the factory bars and I use it quite a bit to put firewood and TNF Basecamp duffles in to free up internal cargo space, but it's small.

I think one of my main concerns is wind noise (even with the fairing).

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

I have a Yak box mounted on my rig. Mostly for winter usage with skis. But for longer trips putting bulky but light camping gear up there is great. Most all I can lock it, so out of sight out of mind. I would consider that before dealing with hitch mounted or accessory rack options.

 

[Umbrarian]

Took it off my HE and put it on my Sequoia adding the middle extension piece. Works well as the dog would not get on the roof.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Took it off my HE and put it on my Sequoia adding the middle extension piece. Works well as the dog would not get on the roof.

Is there any noticeable wind noise?

 

[MRego]

Contrary to most here, I rock mine in my HE with pride. I mostly use to carry the Recovery Boards (which are bulky and take quite the space in the boot). Couple things you should know.

1 - Yes, even with the fairing there is wind noise at 60mph plus. If you open the sunroof cover gets much worst. I've simply got used to it. Crank the music and don't care much.
2 - You won't fit in various parking garages. In my case, I don't risk if the clearance bar says less than 7ft. We have a newer house, so no problem at home, but may be a problem in older houses with older/shorter garage doors.
3 - If (for some reason) you want/need an RTT, it won't work at all.

Other than that, I like it very much because of the added storage capacity for "dirty" things you might not want inside the car and the "HE looks" (if that's a thing) separating from the Base 200.

 

[Umbrarian]

Is there any noticeable wind noise?

Some if over 75, but not unless radio is off.

 

[gasman4u]

I can hear mine at highway speeds starting around 55-60+ and it's ok for function. With that said, if I wasn't REALLY concerned about water ingress with one of the awesome roof rack options out there, I would have swapped it a while ago. This makes me want to keep the factory rails in place and NOT go another probably more functional designed roof rack option.

 

[pvchaitanya]

I love my yakima basket. Use it only when you really need it and remove it after trip compared to hauling a heavy roof rack setup. It helps me a lot in my beach trips where I throw anything from chairs, cooler box, fishing rods, pails in a covered roof bag or in the nets. Yeah it doesn't look cool enough but most versatile and practical.

 

[MRego]

Not trying to derail the thread but I would love to hear what do you use and how you tie things up to the basket when carrying stuff. I am always afraid things will fly away.

 

[Umbrarian]

Not trying to derail the thread but I would love to hear what do you use and how you tie things up to the basket when carrying stuff. I am always afraid things will fly away.

Ratchet straps and bags that have sewn in pass throughs for them. Not going anywhere.

 

[stonepa]

Why ‘HE Guys’? Every Subaru around here has either a Yakima basket or ski box. I usually see them with gas cans, spare tires, coolers, or firewood. Seem to be super useful.

 

[Umbrarian]

Why ‘HE Guys’? Every Subaru around here has either a Yakima basket or ski box. I usually see them with gas cans, spare tires, coolers, or firewood. Seem to be super useful.

Because this is the 200-Series Cruisers Forum and the HE comes with the Yakima rack. Probably not a lot of Subaru traffic here unless also have a 200 Series.

 

[stonepa]

Because this is the 200-Series Cruisers Forum and the HE comes with the Yakima rack. Probably not a lot of Subaru traffic here unless also have a 200 Series.

My point is they sell these at every REI. They aren’t anything special. Just because Toyota convinced people to overpay for a normal Yakima part…

 

[gasman4u]

My point is they sell these at every REI. They aren’t anything special. Just because Toyota convinced people to overpay for a normal Yakima part…

Had Toyo come with an alternative roof rack, I’d of likely gone with it. As it stands, this is what they decreed “HE” from on high and got blessed with the holy trinity from Toyo city. There are other roof rack options that’d work with factory cross rails, sure. These however are an established option with numbers to back up some semblance of significance in a return for the OP’s question for his application. Without a wind tunnel and a statistically significant base, I’d imagine the wind noise MAY differ slightly from a 200 vs a subi-head gasket eating-ru. Though the 200 may indeed be deciding it likes the head gasket taste given recent posts here.

To your point, yes - it’s a Yakima rack. Nothing special indeed. Quite in fact, I don’t like its looks on my rig. But I leave it given the fact I’ve already paid for it and I don’t have to go down another rabbit hole of “will I have issues if I do X….”

 

[Boston Mangler]

I've almost pulled the trigger on a Yakima Exo system a few times, but it's an expensive system that'll come with adding air bags

What does a roof rack have to do with airbags?

 

[Blackford Oakes]

What does a roof rack have to do with airbags?

If I went with a hitch mounted system like the Yakima Exo, I would install air bags to keep the rear from sagging.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Not trying to derail the thread but I would love to hear what do you use and how you tie things up to the basket when carrying stuff. I am always afraid things will fly away.

I use a bungee net for loads like this. If I carry beach gear like chairs, I strap the load first, then bungie it.

 

[MRego]

I use a bungee net for loads like this. If I’m strapped beach gear like chairs, I’m strapped the load first, then bungie it.
View attachment 3884165

Very interesting. Nice solution indeed. Is the firewood also strapped or just leaning against the bag?

On as separate note, if you guys were to carry a full gas can up there, how would you do? would it be unsafe? would you use a rotopax?

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Very interesting. Nice solution indeed. Is the firewood also strapped or just leaning against the bag?

On as separate note, if you guys were to carry a full gas can up there, how would you do? would it be unsafe? would you use a rotopax?

The fire wood is snugged up against the duffle, but it's heavy enough that it wouldn't fly out of the basket. I forgot to mention that I did clip the bag's tote handles to the rack with a carabiner just in case, but I think it would've been fine.

The TNF Basecamp duffle is a great, weather proof haul bag for throwing in a roof-top basket. They make them in several sizes. I recommend them for this purpose and also for if you're hauling gear on a flight. The backpack straps are extremely handy.

 

[Boston Mangler]

If I went with a hitch mounted system like the Yakima Exo, I would install air bags to keep the rear from sagging.

Ah, didn’t realize was a hit hitch system. Yeah, good call

On my 100, with an XR650 dirtbike on the back, the front wheels would come off the ground over large bumps until I got bags