I wanted to share what the Thule Caprock size L roof rack platform looks like on the Pilot for anyone considering it. I did a ton of research and I don't think I found one video or picture with this size Caprock on a 2023+ Pilot. I've included some pictures and video, and will add to this thread in a week, as I also have the Thule Motion 3 L cargo box, and am awaiting the cargo box kit to mount that on this platform.
The decision:
For me, it was between the Thule Caprock L, the Yakima LockNLoad L, or the No-Lo Cleaver roof system. Considering this vehicle is a lease, and I wanted the flexibility to potentially transfer this to the next vehicle if I decide to move on to something else, I rather quickly discarded the No-Lo. The No-Lo was also easily the most expensive (the Yakima was the least expensive), and it did not provide the flexibility of being transferrable like the Thule or Yakima. The Thule had, in my opinion, a more aesthetically pleasing and thoughtful design than the Yakima. The black color and texture of the roof rack itself matched well with the vehicle, and the Thule had white lettering on their logo which works better with the color scheme on my sky blue Trailsport than the red Yakima letters. The Thule design also seemed more aerodynamic, and the Thule Evo Raised Rail feet seemed like a sturdier, better securing, and lower profile option than Yakima's system for the LockNLoad. The fact that it clamped in on the roof rails was far preferable to Yakima's system which uses a strap that goes under the roof rails. Straps can break, but a clamp that is torqued in isn't going anywhere. When I found a nice discount code and this Thule became the price of the Yakima, it was a done deal.
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Note: I ordered the Evo Raised Rail feet separately.
Future load-out:
The Motion 3 L cargo box is on hand, and I'm awaiting the necessary Thule Cargo Box kit to arrive in order to be able to mount the Motion 3 L. I also got the liner and cargo light. I should have pictures next weekend with that mounted. I'll see about placing the Hull-a-Port XTR with the cargo box for pictures as well. In a few weeks or months, I may also put a 270 awning and water reservoir on the roof, but I'm undecided on that as of yet. I need to see how much space I have after the Motion 3 L is on the rack. A Starlink Mini device is also in consideration of going on the roof depending on space available when all or most of these accessories are up at the same time.
Pics:
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Video:
Likes:
One of the things I like most is the size is right for this vehicle, and most other midsize SUV's such as the Passport. At 75" long by 59" wide, it has a substantial amount of real estate up top, specifically 4 or 5 more inches of width than the similarly sized Yakima LockNLoad. Width is pretty crucial if you're planning to install a number of accessories up top at the same time. The other thing I like a lot, is how secure this feels. You shake the rack, the entire vehicle moves with it. It is ON there and tight. After a short test drive, it is almost imperceptible that you have this new weight up high on the vehicle. I can just barely notice it. And there's no wind noise so far at up to the 45 mph I've driven. I've yet to go highway speeds with it.
Dislikes:
About the only dislike so far is the price, but you get what you pay for. The whole thing is quality, great fit and finish. Happy to pay for that quality.
Installation:
The install is quite easy, just make sure you have enough space in a living room or garage to put this together. Thule provides everything you need minus a good measuring tape. The most important thing I did was measure absolutely everything and diagram exactly where I wanted the Evo feet to be on the platform in relation to the factory roof rails, and where I wanted the cargo box to sit on the rails. That's because I needed the Evo feet to be about 43" apart (based on the usable area of factory roof rails), but the roof rack itself is 75" long. So in order for all the cargo rails to be evenly spaced along the roof, I placed the order of cargo rails as such:
Rails from Front to Rear:
1st: Front Evo feet
2nd: Front cargo box rail
3rd: Nothing
4th: Nothing
5th: Rear Evo feet & rear cargo box rail
6th: Nothing
Although the cargo box kit is not yet installed nor visible in the pics and video above, they will be placed on the rails designated above. The cargo box rails are about 33" apart, and the Evo feet rails are about 42-43" apart. If this changes for whatever reason when I get the box up there and placed to my liking, I'll update this info. The spacing and location of the cargo rails is really easy to adjust, and can be done with a step ladder and the provided tool from Thule. This thing is not easy or light to move or remove, so a 2nd person will be necessary.
I really liked this install video I found on YouTube and referred to it during my install:
The decision:
For me, it was between the Thule Caprock L, the Yakima LockNLoad L, or the No-Lo Cleaver roof system. Considering this vehicle is a lease, and I wanted the flexibility to potentially transfer this to the next vehicle if I decide to move on to something else, I rather quickly discarded the No-Lo. The No-Lo was also easily the most expensive (the Yakima was the least expensive), and it did not provide the flexibility of being transferrable like the Thule or Yakima. The Thule had, in my opinion, a more aesthetically pleasing and thoughtful design than the Yakima. The black color and texture of the roof rack itself matched well with the vehicle, and the Thule had white lettering on their logo which works better with the color scheme on my sky blue Trailsport than the red Yakima letters. The Thule design also seemed more aerodynamic, and the Thule Evo Raised Rail feet seemed like a sturdier, better securing, and lower profile option than Yakima's system for the LockNLoad. The fact that it clamped in on the roof rails was far preferable to Yakima's system which uses a strap that goes under the roof rails. Straps can break, but a clamp that is torqued in isn't going anywhere. When I found a nice discount code and this Thule became the price of the Yakima, it was a done deal.
Note: I ordered the Evo Raised Rail feet separately.
Future load-out:
The Motion 3 L cargo box is on hand, and I'm awaiting the necessary Thule Cargo Box kit to arrive in order to be able to mount the Motion 3 L. I also got the liner and cargo light. I should have pictures next weekend with that mounted. I'll see about placing the Hull-a-Port XTR with the cargo box for pictures as well. In a few weeks or months, I may also put a 270 awning and water reservoir on the roof, but I'm undecided on that as of yet. I need to see how much space I have after the Motion 3 L is on the rack. A Starlink Mini device is also in consideration of going on the roof depending on space available when all or most of these accessories are up at the same time.
Pics:
Video:
Likes:
One of the things I like most is the size is right for this vehicle, and most other midsize SUV's such as the Passport. At 75" long by 59" wide, it has a substantial amount of real estate up top, specifically 4 or 5 more inches of width than the similarly sized Yakima LockNLoad. Width is pretty crucial if you're planning to install a number of accessories up top at the same time. The other thing I like a lot, is how secure this feels. You shake the rack, the entire vehicle moves with it. It is ON there and tight. After a short test drive, it is almost imperceptible that you have this new weight up high on the vehicle. I can just barely notice it. And there's no wind noise so far at up to the 45 mph I've driven. I've yet to go highway speeds with it.
Dislikes:
About the only dislike so far is the price, but you get what you pay for. The whole thing is quality, great fit and finish. Happy to pay for that quality.
Installation:
The install is quite easy, just make sure you have enough space in a living room or garage to put this together. Thule provides everything you need minus a good measuring tape. The most important thing I did was measure absolutely everything and diagram exactly where I wanted the Evo feet to be on the platform in relation to the factory roof rails, and where I wanted the cargo box to sit on the rails. That's because I needed the Evo feet to be about 43" apart (based on the usable area of factory roof rails), but the roof rack itself is 75" long. So in order for all the cargo rails to be evenly spaced along the roof, I placed the order of cargo rails as such:
Rails from Front to Rear:
1st: Front Evo feet
2nd: Front cargo box rail
3rd: Nothing
4th: Nothing
5th: Rear Evo feet & rear cargo box rail
6th: Nothing
Although the cargo box kit is not yet installed nor visible in the pics and video above, they will be placed on the rails designated above. The cargo box rails are about 33" apart, and the Evo feet rails are about 42-43" apart. If this changes for whatever reason when I get the box up there and placed to my liking, I'll update this info. The spacing and location of the cargo rails is really easy to adjust, and can be done with a step ladder and the provided tool from Thule. This thing is not easy or light to move or remove, so a 2nd person will be necessary.
I really liked this install video I found on YouTube and referred to it during my install:
