Please Advise on Bike Rack for Pilot, HItch Style..

[Sean Price]

Greetings,

I must say I tried the search 1st, hoping to avoid having to create my own post, but that made it more confusing, Honda PS cooler this, and tow package that..

basically I'm looking for a general purpose bike rack, I don't want to do the roof mount and so baasically I would need something to go on the back..

I'm assuming the best and ONLY option is a hitch?

I am not familiar at all with hitches on SUV's or towing for that matter. as prior to this I've only ever had a Honda civic, light city cruiser..

So what exactly is EVERYTHING i need to be able to take my bikes with me on road trips with my Pilot?

I have a 2005 Honda Pilot EX-L , if that helps?

I leave in about 3-4 days and again WOULD love to take my bikes with me..

or if anyone could suggest what to look for on this site

www.craigslist.org using Wisconsin and then Milwaukee, would be most beneficial...

again I know nothing about hitches and towing so I would need and HUMBLY request a step by step on what exactly I need to get this done right!!

trip is 2200 miles round trip..

thanks again and I hope you guys can help!


oNe

p.s. the threads I found were here..


What does everyone do for carrying bikes?

hitch for bike rack some one links to a bike rack for only $25 at Cabela's but I didn't find it on their website..

[Sean Price]

I found this on craigslist

but HOW do I know if it will fit my 05' Honda Pilot EX-L?

Sorry no pix.

THULE 2 place with release for gate access
150 new
75

Slides into 2' trailer hitch receiver with pin

THULE
Two place with vertical release.

I'm thinkin its this.. from a google search but not sure..

http://www.rei.com/product/737556


is my hitch thing on my pilot a 2 inch?

is this a steal( i.e. a ripoff) or a good deal?

any input APPRECIATED!!

oNe

[Happydady]

I was recommending you to get a Curt hitch at etraler. That was where I got mine but realized that you will be leaving on trip in 3,4 day. It's not going to make it for delivery. May be others will have good advices.

[Josey92]

Originally posted by Sean Price
I found this on craigslist

but HOW do I know if it will fit my 05' Honda Pilot EX-L?



I'm thinkin its this.. from a google search but not sure..

http://www.rei.com/product/737556


is my hitch thing on my pilot a 2 inch?

is this a steal( i.e. a ripoff) or a good deal?

any input APPRECIATED!!

oNe

So to be clear, you already have a hitch? If so and it's the OEM hitch, then it should be a 2-inch receiver and the rack should work. The link you provided for the Thule rack is most likely the one being sold but the thing is, if you don't have pics of the rack being sold, you won't know if there is anything missing/broken/wrong with it. If it's local, then I suggest you go take a look at it. If not, then go to your local bike shop (or call) and see if they have one in stock and pay the full price for it knowing that it's brand new and you won't have to worry about it on your 3K mile trip.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[Sean Price]

So to be clear, you already have a hitch? If so and it's the OEM hitch, then it should be a 2-inch receiver and the rack should work. The link you provided for the Thule rack is most likely the one being sold but the thing is, if you don't have pics of the rack being sold, you won't know if there is anything missing/broken/wrong with it. If it's local, then I suggest you go take a look at it. If not, then go to your local bike shop (or call) and see if they have one in stock and pay the full price for it knowing that it's brand new and you won't have to worry about it on your 3K mile trip.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

ok I just checked out my 05' Pilot and there is nothing in the back in which a hitch could be attached.. its like its naked back there.. all I see is a spare tire underneathe...

what gives?

so with that in mind I have TWO questions..

1. how come I don't have a hitch thingy back there? and HOW would I accomplish that? is it expensive, easy to install or is that just how my EX-L is made, w/o a hitch system?

and

2. has ANYONE used those other system's? the one's with the straps? I went to a sports store today.. Sports Authority and they had a system by manufacturer Bell for two bikes, and the way I understand it, there are straps that somehow attach to the vehicle window's gaps or something..

are those reliable and will they damage my vehicle?

i ask cuz its only $60...

let me know

thanks again!

oNe

[Josey92]

1. how come I don't have a hitch thingy back there...
[/B][/QUOTE] A hitch was not standard equipment in any models prior to the 2009MY. If you really want to go the hitch route and get it done quickly (I am not by any means saying this is the best option) you should go to your local U-Haul and see if they can fo it for you (call first). If you really want to pay up the nose for a hitch, go to a local Honda dealer. Since you are only going to use it for bikes and not for towing, you can get away with not putting the coolers on. Not likely Honda would do it for you without the coolers though since they won't believe you're not going to tow with it.

and

2. has ANYONE used those other system's? the one's with the straps...

[/B][/QUOTE] DO NOT buy a strap-on bike rack as the it will not work. If you try, it will pull your rear spoiler right off. If not right away, it will definitely do it down the road and most likely not far from where you install it. Tried it already with both my 03 and my 06 when I had more than 3 bikes to carry.

Sorry I haven't given you much to work with. I think you might have to think about getting a roof mounted system considering your time constraints.

Call Tim (HondAcuraWorld) our site sponsor to see if there is any way he can ship you a hitch overnight and you can probably install it yourself within 2 hours. Think about time and money you will need to spend doing it this way. He may also have the OEM roof-mounted system but you may want to check your local bike shop as they may have all you need there is you go this route. Thule products are my recommendation for this but you may be able to find lower-cost options from companies.

Here's an interesting solution for roof-mounted systems that uses your existing crossbars (if you have them):
http://www.discountramps.com/buzz-rack-bike-rack.htm

Good luck.

[rocky]

Since you leave in three days, you need a hitch NOW.

Call around the local auto parts stores and Uhaul, but I think the only place you may be able to get it in that time frame is the local stealer or if you want to DIY Tim@hondacuraworld.com, but then you'll be DIY on the install.

[Sean Price]

ok...my latest update..

went to Honda, they wanted like $700 or so.. BUT they can't do the job for like 2 weeks or so if I pre-schedule it out.. so yeah probably not.. that was me telling them all I wanted was a bike rack.. thats insane, $700!!!? sheesh, is it made out of platinum?

went to 5 Uhaul locations, n they all looked at me like I was crazy!! one flat out sed if I was nutz, n another one asked if I was on mexican wacki tobackie...so i called like 7 more..they ALL stated, NO HITCHES AVAILABLE and muttered something about todays' plastic cars..and bumpers..even went to 3 budget places as well..

well my local stealer is talking garbage that I don't quite understand..

he sed something about class I, II, III

??? I have no idea what he means plus he wants to meet in the middle of nowwhere at like 2am..you get the drift, I don't really want to deal with these guys if you get what I'm saying..

I've been dealing with this alll day I have been doing this..I stopped at any store that is somewhat sports or huntin minded.. cabela's. gander mountain, duhnams, Sports Authority ect, ect.. and NOTHING.. mainly the strap on systems and the bike racks themselve's..

AS A LAST RESORT, I went to a place called Farm & Fleet more like a hardware store and kind of like a hail mary...

Here's the scoop.. the guy (which I'm leery of trusting now) sed he could help me out..

they have a Curt Manufacturing Inc 04-07' Acura MDX/Pilot Class III Hitch..

about $150...

Question to you all is this..

WOuld this work for me? Is this what I need?

The guy wasn't too helpful beyond stating that he had one for $150..

He did say he had the Class I for about $130 but sed I'm better off with the Class III

So would this work and how easy would this be too install?

I mean if this is all I need I will buy this today, install it this evening or tomorrow morning and buy the bike rack and I'm off!!!

PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP!!

i'm off to check out some auto parts store's to see if they have anything for me..

thanks again!

oNe

p.s. Oh yeah I took the ticket from Farm and Fleet

it basically says this..

Curt Manufacturing INC

04-07 Acura MDX/Pilot Class III Hitch $150

Mfg#: 13328
SKu#: 549010

[Medic721]

I use the factory Honda Hitch with a Soft-Ride Pull Pin 4 bike rack. take a look at the link below:

Thule Cargo Box and Softride Pull Pin Pics

-Mike.

[Josey92]

Curt Manufacturing INC

04-07 Acura MDX/Pilot Class III Hitch $150

Mfg#: 13328
SKu#: 549010

That's the one that mssquared installed on his Pilot:
http://hondapilot.org/forums/showthr...highlight=Curt

Doesn't have all 8 bolts (only 6) but does have the center bolts which helps offset the tongue weight (not really important for your use). This should be an easy install, but you might want to get a torque wrench if you don't have one already.

[Sean Price]

Sorry my late reply gentz.. as YOu can guess I'm on my road trip vacation..

everything went without a hitch!

purchased the curt hitch for $100, installed it myself in like 15 minutes..was super easy and YES all 8 bolts fit in fine w/o any problems..thing is pretty heavy too..

copped a schwinn bike rack for $100 at Target Supercenter, carries 4 bikes..and it even folds down for access to the back hatch..

all in all it went well and i'm writin this 1100 miles from my starting point and I threw on 3 bikes!!

I wanted to say a special thanks for all your input and advice and I want to say it was really appreciated!!

I guess I made it out to seem more difficult then it turned out to be.. probably because of my time constraints I had put in place..

thanks again!

this forum rocks!!


oNe

p.s. anyone got custom Honda Pilots out here? I'm talkin Rims, stereo's, anything customer or are we all OLD FOLKS here and no youngster's under 23 own a Pilot?

[CNJ]

Originally posted by Sean Price
Sorry my late reply gentz.. as YOu can guess I'm on my road trip vacation..

everything went without a hitch!

purchased the curt hitch for $100, installed it myself in like 15 minutes..was super easy and YES all 8 bolts fit in fine w/o any problems..thing is pretty heavy too..

copped a schwinn bike rack for $100 at Target Supercenter, carries 4 bikes..and it even folds down for access to the back hatch..

all in all it went well and i'm writin this 1100 miles from my starting point and I threw on 3 bikes!!

I wanted to say a special thanks for all your input and advice and I want to say it was really appreciated!!

I guess I made it out to seem more difficult then it turned out to be.. probably because of my time constraints I had put in place..

thanks again!

this forum rocks!!


oNe

p.s. anyone got custom Honda Pilots out here? I'm talkin Rims, stereo's, anything customer or are we all OLD FOLKS here and no youngster's under 23 own a Pilot?

Glad to hear everything went well on your install. Where did you find it for $100? I'm in the process of getting a Hitch for our 06. I want to get a bike rack also but I may want to get a pop up trailer to tow as well. So my question is: are there other options for the wiring harness, and tranny cooler? Anyone gone that route? I can see spending $75 for the OEM Harness but $200+ for the Wimpy OEM ATF Cooler? I can't see a PS cooler being that critical except for maybe launching boats, where you do a lot of backing up!