Trying to determine which option to go with for periodic bike transport.
Any opinions on roof top vs trailer hitch?

Is it ok to go trailer hitch without the full tow package?

Thanks

I use a trailer hitch rack, and have the tow package. I do not however think you need the tow package if you are just putting a bike rack in the hitch. I used to have a roof rack on my van but found it a pain climbing up and down with the bikes so that's why I switched when I got the Pilot. Mine is a Saris cycle-on rack. I can swap it from the hitch on the Pilot to the 4Runner in less that a minute.

I use a hitch mount rack as well. The Yakima I bought (full swing 4) was a little expensive, but the ease of loading and unloading is worth the money. I can't imaging climbing up on a ladder or a tire to unload or load the bike, have the bike fall, damage the bike or have it fall against the Pilot and dent or scratch it. Or even worse, me falling off while loading or unloading and gettting injured! Good luck with your decision.

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Originally posted by dragoncoach
I use a hitch mount rack as well. The Yakima I bought (full swing 4) was a little expensive, but the ease of loading and unloading is worth the money. I can't imaging climbing up on a ladder or a tire to unload or load the bike, have the bike fall, damage the bike or have it fall against the Pilot and dent or scratch it. Or even worse, me falling off while loading or unloading and gettting injured! Good luck with your decision.

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You forgot one of the most common accidents with roof racks - driving into the garage without removing the bike(s) first! :eek:

I can't even imagine how I would feel if I did something like that! Yikes! Damage to the bike (probably totaled), roof, bike mounts, and the garage and or door. Scarry.

I have Allen Four Bike Hitch Rack (540RR) for couple years and love it. Hitch racks are much easier to use. Pilot is too high to have a roof rack. As compared to Yakima, Allen rack have cloth holders and I understood that Yakimas plastic holders are not a durable and easy to loose

I use a Yakima KingPin 4 with the OEM hitch. No tow package. holds three bikes easily. I like it because I bought the Yakima Deadlock to go with it which locks the rack to the receiver and bikes to the rack. I've left my Jamis EarthCruiser 4 locked to it overnight at a hotel, but if your bikes re $$$, I wouldn't leave them locked to it overnight. The arms fold as well so it's great for just keeping it on the vehicle while on vacation. It also tilts down so the back can open. It's also ROCK solid on the highway.

The rack can be found online from $160-$200, and the deadlock is another $40. I like this setup over roof mount due to the ease of loading.

When using a hitch mount rack, has anyone gotten a ticket for blocking the view of the rear license plate?

At least in California, I always assumed you could get a ticket if the reading or recognition of a rear license plate is obstructed. The only exception was wheel chair lifts.

I've never had a problem in the Bay Area. It may be worse somewhere else. I don't think it's high priority. Besides, I think you can still read the plate (at least partially) with the bikes.

another vote for hitch mount

They make loading and unloading easiet. They do stick out quite a bit so to lessen the chance dazed shoppers will walk into them - park far away from stores etc.

I like the hitch mount, leaves room for the cargo box on the roof if I need it. I got the Thule Trailblazer last year, and it worked great for our trip to Maryland. We only had 2 bikes on it, but it can hold 4. Nice because it swings away so easily, you can still get in to the back of the Pilot.

We also have the Thule Cascade XT 1500, very easy to use, and not to bad on the highway mileage. Never knew it was on top, no whistling, no buzzing, nothing but a smooth ride.

Trailblazer Bike rack opened...

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Originally posted by CNYGuy
Trailblazer Bike rack opened...

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:D gotta love that Midnight Blue :D

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Originally posted by ictvuser
When using a hitch mount rack, has anyone gotten a ticket for blocking the view of the rear license plate?

At least in California, I always assumed you could get a ticket if the reading or recognition of a rear license plate is obstructed. The only exception was wheel chair lifts.

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I used a hitch-mount rack on my old Nissan pickup and my old Explorer and never had a problem. My kids and I took lots of trips camping with the bikes, and I never had a problem with CHP or local police complaining about not being able to see the license plate.

If anything, they might give you some grief about the tail lights being blocked by the bike wheels.

Just added a a 2" receiver hitch w/coolers. I hated adding coolers but for resale purposes did.

I have a Sports Works bike rack and I notice with the Honda hitch it sticks out much farther than on my other cars. In fact, the hole in the assembly is so close to the end of the hitch I can't even tighten it correctly.

I looked at other cars in the neighborhood and they are all different from Honda's.

Wonder if this is so you will only buy their bike rack?

Mjones5

06 Steel Metallic Blue
EXL-Navi 4WD

quote:

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Originally posted by Mjones5
Just added a a 2" receiver hitch w/coolers. I hated adding coolers but for resale purposes did.

I have a Sports Works bike rack and I notice with the Honda hitch it sticks out much farther than on my other cars. In fact, the hole in the assembly is so close to the end of the hitch I can't even tighten it correctly.

I looked at other cars in the neighborhood and they are all different from Honda's.

Wonder if this is so you will only buy their bike rack?

Mjones5

06 Steel Metallic Blue
EXL-Navi 4WD

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I kind of wish I did the coolers as well. I'm not confident enough in my abilities though and refuse to pay that much labor. I don't know what you mean about not getting it tightened correctly though. I get mine tight enough that the rack is very solid.

Hitch mount. I have the Thule 996 Expressway 4-Bike Rack. It holds 2 adult bikes and 2 kiddies bikes with room to spare.

I have the OEM hitch without the coolers. Dealer said I didn't need the coolers since it was only to be bikes. If I ever get a boat, I'll have the coolers added then.

Hitch mount and no coolers, here. I'm getting too old to try to wrestle bikes onto a roof rack.

CNYGuy,

I just ordered the Thule Trailblazer rack, and will get the Honda hitch tomorrow.

I read in a few threads here that the hole in the Honda hitch caused a few folks problems when trying to insert the Thule lock into the receiver.

Do you have any issues with getting the Thule (STL) lock attached properly? Is there enough clearance behind the hole in the receiver to attach the lock? Hope that makes sense.

Thanks,
Dean

Wow - lot of hitchers here!

I've got a roof mount - Yakima lowriders with Copperhead fork mounts, front tires go inside in the cargo area. Fork/handlebar bras when going on extended trips on the freeway to avoid rock chips on the bikes. Getting them up there may be a stretch for some, but it's not too bad as I am 6' and have the OEM bars to step on.

I'll hopefully post pictures when I go for an early morning ride tomorrow.

Here are two pics of my roof mount from my early morning ride today -

I know my fairing is too big - It is the 44" I had from my other car, and I haven't had the time nor motivation to fork out the $50+ for the 38" one that will fit within the side rails, so for now the 44" will have to do.

I've had the Thule "swing away" not sure of the correct name or number for 4 years and also have the original Honda tow package and hitch. I have no problem getting the Thule holes to line up with the holes in the receiver. I seem to have a couple of inches leeway in each direction.

I just purchased a softride pull pin rack from www.hitchsource.com
GREAT customer service and pricing. It works great comes with a cable to lock the bikes and a locking anti-rattle pin for the rack. The big difference is that when you lower the rack to open the rear hatch the bikes come down straight, not at an angle. No damage to the bikes and easy to raise them back up.

This is the one I purchased: http://www.hitchsource.com/accesspu...k2-p-16159.html

-Mike.

I just ordered the Thule Trailblazer 998XT from www.autoanything.com for $334.10 free shipping. There's a $15 coupon code, but I can't remember what it was. It's the swing away model, and comes standard with a cable lock, anti-sway cradles, and hitch lock. Here's the link to the item: http://www.autoanything.com/bike-racks/69A1766A0A0.aspx

It costs more than other racks, but is very solid, and has a great reputation. Plus Thule has a number of accessories for the rack. The swivel arm makes it convenient to get inside the back without having to remove the bikes, or tilt a rack down with the bikes on it.

I also ordered the Honda trailer hitch from www.oemauto.com. Very good price with reasonable shipping.

Dean

My Pilot is 1 1/2 years old, and the bolt holes in the frame have some rust on the threads. I soaked the threads with some Liquid Wrench overnight, then resprayed them in the morning and brushed them out with a round wire brush. Soaked them some more, but some rust still remains.

I tried to gently thread one of the hitch bolts into the hole, but it didn't go in. I didn't want to force it and damage the threads.

I'm no mechanic, so should I consider a thread chaser, or take the Pilot to a local mechanic and let him do it? Do I just buy a metric thread chasing set? Are there different thread sizes I have to worry about?

Thanks,
Dean

OK, I got the hitch installed this weekend. I was able to clean the threads by using a round wire brush and saturating them with Liquid Wrench. After brushing and spraying, the rust just ran out. So I repeated the process a few times, and was able to get the bolts in without a problem. There was no need for thread taps. I did find out that you would need 8, 10, & 12mm taps with a 1.25 thread gap if you couldn't clean them out any other way.

You definitely need two people to get the hitch installed. You could prop it up and do it yourself, but it's a bit safer with a second person. The holes lined up, as long as you don't tighten ANY bolts before getting them all in.

I also installed the Thule Trailblazer 998XT (swing away) bike rack. This thing is SOLID! I tried it out today with one bike for a 75 mile trip. No rattling or swaying. I'm very impressed with the quality.

Dean

The hitch racks are convenient. Another pro is you get a workable service stand.

Roof fork clamps can be a pain but conversely discourages theft...