Short Box roof top carrier?

[my3kids]

Does anyone have this? It isn't on Tim's site. Has anyone called to get a price on this item? Would anyone else want one?

[ChuckW]

Get a Thule Excursion. At 13 cubic feet it is a little larger and $20 cheaper than my dealer quoted for the Short Box. It fits the factory cross bars with no mods. You can also pick one up just about anywhere.

We took a trip from Savannah to Panama City last week and the Excursion held most of our luggage. It really made the inside of the Pilot a lot less crowded on such a long (10 hour) trip.

My project for this afternoon is to put a horizontal bar in the garage to hang the box on the wall when it's not on the Pilot.

[my3kids]

It fits on the Honda bars without doing anything special to them? Just how do these things actually attach. I always used a soft carrier on my van, but decided this would be a better option for this year's vacation. Does it lock? What shape is the box you recommend?

[hop23]

It's my impression that the Honda short box is simply a Thule Excursion with a Honda logo.

[ChuckW]

The box has four brackets of its own that grip the crossbars. The blade-shaped factory bars actually work very well.

The brackets each consist of two 1/4" bolts that extend out of the bottom of the box. The bolts pass on the front and back of the crossbar and a steel plate connects them under the bar. Kind of like a crossbar sandwich. The bolts are actually upside down and you tighten them by turning wing nuts inside the box.

Yes, I think the Honda Short Box is a Thule Excursion with a Honda logo. It looks identical to my box.

[kemosabe]

Originally posted by hop23
It's my impression that the Honda short box is simply a Thule Excursion with a Honda logo.

Here is a photo of the two of them, and yes, they look identical!!!!

[ChuckW]

Hmmm.

Separated at birth maybe???

[my3kids]

Does the top of the box actually come off, or does it raise up but still stay attached to the bottom? How hard are they to use? Do you ever feel like it might come off driving? Does everyone empty everything out every night in the hotel, or are things just as secure in the box as they would be locked in the car? So many questions......

[ChuckW]

No, the top of the box does not come off. It is hinged at the front and flips up from the rear. It has two spring loaded lift arms on the sides that do most of the work of opening it and then hold it open. The box opens high enough that you can put items in from the rear or sides.

Easy to use. Just a little awkward lifting it up onto the roof. Not heavy, just awkward.

No way it will come off while driving. The mounts are padded steel and very solid. In addition to that, there are two straps inside the box if you want to tie down your load.

It locks so you don't have to empty it if you don't want to.

Ask me more! I've got a million answers and a digital camera!!!

[my3kids]

Okay Chuck....I think you've sold me on this item! Thanks!

[kemosabe]

Originally posted by ChuckW


[ S N I P P E D ]

Ask me more! I've got a million answers and a digital camera!!!

ChuckW: Since you are in a photo-shooting and posting-picture frenzy today , any chance you could post a picture or two of your accessories:

1. Back Up Sensors
2. Back Up Camera
3. Auto Day/Night Mirror

I was trying to compile a list of photos of actual owner's accessories and I couldn't find any of those on the site (although I haven't finished scouring honda-pilot.org yet...).

[ChuckW]

I'll see what I can do. Unfortunately it's dark outside now. Maybe tomorrow. I've upgraded the center console more since last time too.

Do you need pics of the cargo organizer, cargo tray, and lower trim?

[kemosabe]

Originally posted by ChuckW
I'll see what I can do. Unfortunately it's dark outside now. Maybe tomorrow. I've upgraded the center console more since last time too.

Do you need pics of the cargo organizer, cargo tray, and lower trim?

Okay, thanks!!! No, I was able to find other member's photos of the cargo organizer, tray, and lower trim, but thanks a bunch for offering!!!!!! Really appreciate it -- and no rush... at your convenience!!!

[my3kids]

Where do you find the roof carriers to buy? I looked at the online sites, but shipping is $75, so I could go to a sort of local Honda dealer and get one for less. What sort of store would actually sell that type of thing?

[hondacuraplanet]

I usually refer people to their Honda dealer for this one. The box is too big to ship, and the factory packaging is pretty flimsy. Not something I'd want to take a chance on even if I could.