| NancyW |
Just bought a 2006 4WD EX-L RES with 35K miles for $20,800. I think we got a good deal and I'm very excited!
Now we are looking into putting a hitch on the back just to use for a bike rack. The dealer quoted us $834 for the part and installation. Does that seem really high to anyone here. (I have no frame of reference). Are there any after market hitches I could get instead? Who would install that? My mechanic or a body shop?
Just trying to get other peoples' experiences.
Thanks! |
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| sprocket |
That sounds more like the entire towing package. If you are only using the hitch for a bike rack, I'd call U-haul or Pep Boys and get a price from them. Just be sure to advise any future buyer that it only has the hitch and not the towing package.
Congrats on the new vehicle. |
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| Go Steelers |
Interesting thread... I'm looking for the same thing. I just want a hitch for a bike rack. No plans to tow anything. I just searched a ton of "hitch" threads on here and the consensus seems to be use the Honda hitch (including tranny and PS coolers!) if you are ever planning on towing anything. For a simpler use like a bike rack, the opinions seem to vary quite a bit.
One question.... The Uhaul (model 78213) appears to fit 06-07 Pilots (per their online guide) but is not listed as an option for my 08. Is this just a case of the uhaul website not being udpated correctly, or was there some difference to the 08s? I would find it hard to believe Honda would make a change to the 08, with the revised 09 right around the corner. |
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| colorider |
quote:
Originally posted by NancyW
Now we are looking into putting a hitch on the back just to use for a bike rack. The dealer quoted us $834 for the part and installation. Does that seem really high to anyone here. (I have no frame of reference). Are there any after market hitches I could get instead? Who would install that? My mechanic or a body shop?
Just trying to get other peoples' experiences.
Thanks!
There have been numerous threads on this same subject. You may want to try a search.
Moved thread from General to Accessories. |
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| Go Steelers |
| After reading quite dragon's great write up, I'm leaning towards the Uhaul 78213 / Valley V82110 hitch. There doesn't seem to be a lot of discussion on brands or specific models for bike racks. I'm looking for something that would hold 4 bikes (including 2 kids bikes) for trips to the beach, etc. I've read good things about Thule and Yakima..... any other brands and or specific models to consider? Any featuers that are "must have" or "must avoid"? I was looking at a Thule that had dual bars, but then realized the bars might be too far apart to secure my 7 year old's small bike. (I'll have to measure tonight) |
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| iglesias |
quote:
Originally posted by Go Steelers
After reading quite dragon's great write up, I'm leaning towards the Uhaul 78213 / Valley V82110 hitch. There doesn't seem to be a lot of discussion on brands or specific models for bike racks. I'm looking for something that would hold 4 bikes (including 2 kids bikes) for trips to the beach, etc. I've read good things about Thule and Yakima..... any other brands and or specific models to consider? Any featuers that are "must have" or "must avoid"? I was looking at a Thule that had dual bars, but then realized the bars might be too far apart to secure my 7 year old's small bike. (I'll have to measure tonight)
I have a Hollywood bike rack (http://www.hollywoodracks.com/ ) that works pretty well. I've had it for about 10 years, and used it on a Nissan pickup and a Ford Explorer. I haven't put a hitch on my Pilot yet, so I haven't used it there. The rack holds 4 bikes. The spacing for the bars is 17", outside edge to outside edge. That may have changed in 10 years though. |
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| dragoncoach |
quote:
Originally posted by Go Steelers
After reading quite dragon's great write up, I'm leaning towards the Uhaul 78213 / Valley V82110 hitch. There doesn't seem to be a lot of discussion on brands or specific models for bike racks. I'm looking for something that would hold 4 bikes (including 2 kids bikes) for trips to the beach, etc. I've read good things about Thule and Yakima..... any other brands and or specific models to consider? Any featuers that are "must have" or "must avoid"? I was looking at a Thule that had dual bars, but then realized the bars might be too far apart to secure my 7 year old's small bike. (I'll have to measure tonight)
I recall quite a few threads about racks. I personally have the Yakima Full Swing Four. Great bike rack but expensive. |
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| jcantanixon |
Personally, I prefer the racks that hold the bikes by the wheels rather than the frame. Even when secured, the bikes hanging by the frame tend to swing and sway. I've had good success using bungee cords to keep them still, but it just seems simpler to use the flatbed type. They are adjustable to fit different sized bikes, but I don't think it's possible to carry one big and one tiny bike at the same time unless someone makes a rack where the wheel adjustments are individual from each other.
This is a XPORT brand that runs $150-200
I'll go off on a tangent and mention that I actually use the Hitch-Haul which is a flat carrier that can be used to haul pretty much anything
and then I have the bike rack accessory
but I went that route so I could switch to the "bag" or the "net" to carry non-bicycle cargo when needed.
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| fuel98rider |
I honestly think you are better off going to etrailer.com and looking at their hitches. They sell all of the name brands. I ordered a Hidden Hitch Class III from them several years ago, specifically for the purpose of using it for a bike rack. I will never tow a trailer with it, but I wanted the class III because it was a 2" reciever and would fit my Yakima ROC 4 rack without having to purchase an adaptor.
The Hidden Hitch (as well as the Draw-Tite and Reese which are all owned my Cendent now) fits nicely under the bumber with no protrusion. It is powder coated and does not show the first signs of rust in two years of use. I purchased it for less than $130 with free shipping. This is much cheaper than the Honda.
I like the Yakima racks because of the locking bolt which does not allow any play in the reciever. I have been to North Carolina and New York many times and the rack is solid at 70mph. |
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| jestmaty |
Hey jcantanixon!!
Did you notice the last generic pic of the hitch haul accessories? The net? It looks like a dead wild boar or pig and some dead ducks? EEww.. gross!
I have that same base hitch-haul and was wondering how much you paid for the bike attachment? I guess I could go to the website and find out though....
Also, for anyone following this thread regarding the hitch itself..... As far as I know, only the OEM Honda hitch has the 12 attachment points: 4 down each side (8) and 4 more right at the receiver. I guess if I were going to haul 3 or 4 mountain bikes, I'd like the extra support at the receiver point.
A bunch of bouncing bikes probably puts quite a load on the hitch and the attachment points if they are only running down the 'frame' rail.
Later... jestmaty |
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| jcantanixon |
I didn't look closely at the pic, but I grabbed it from the Cabela's site. Do you have one near you? The bike rack is only $25.
Link |
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