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2009 Pilot Roof Rack Extension
BearLeeAlive
Member Posts: 6
I am quite disappointed in the spread of the roof racks on my '09 Pilot. I often need to carry a 17 1/2 foot canoe, and the crossbars are only somewhere just over 3 feet apart. Even with tying down the front, it does not sit right, mainly because it sits so far back on the car when centered.
I asked a service tech at the dealer I bought from if the front rack could be moved forward and longer rails put on. He said he did not believe so, because they have fixed mounting positions. I find this strange, because the track it mounts in goes all the way to the windshield. If anyone has any knowledge as to whether this really would work or not, it would be great to hear your thoughts.
So, I am looking for a good solution to deal with this. I have a couple ideas and if anyone has any to add that would be great. I really would like a solution that looks good too.
1. Buy a Thule/Yakima rack that would fit on the front of the roof. I could just remove the front Honda crossbar.
2. Buy or build a rack extender that mounts to the existing rack. I do think this might be less stable, as it still would be mounted on the short spread of the factory rack.
3. Install a front receiver and use a rack that fits in there, like the ones used for the back of pickups. This might work good, but there would always be a post in my sight line.
I will be towing a travel trailer quite a bit, so might add a roof rack there, but that still does not deal with carrying the canoe when not towing the trailer.
I asked a service tech at the dealer I bought from if the front rack could be moved forward and longer rails put on. He said he did not believe so, because they have fixed mounting positions. I find this strange, because the track it mounts in goes all the way to the windshield. If anyone has any knowledge as to whether this really would work or not, it would be great to hear your thoughts.
So, I am looking for a good solution to deal with this. I have a couple ideas and if anyone has any to add that would be great. I really would like a solution that looks good too.
1. Buy a Thule/Yakima rack that would fit on the front of the roof. I could just remove the front Honda crossbar.
2. Buy or build a rack extender that mounts to the existing rack. I do think this might be less stable, as it still would be mounted on the short spread of the factory rack.
3. Install a front receiver and use a rack that fits in there, like the ones used for the back of pickups. This might work good, but there would always be a post in my sight line.
I will be towing a travel trailer quite a bit, so might add a roof rack there, but that still does not deal with carrying the canoe when not towing the trailer.
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This discussion has been closed.
Comments
I'd go with the new rack, and maybe take the Honda rack off entirely and use the Yak/Thule bars front and rear.
Here's another short spread, but it was balanced.
I am leaning to just adding the one bar at the front. I would likely leave the Honda rack on, rather then bother to take it off. I does do fine with the storage box on it.
Nice photo, reminds me of loading canoes on my old Volvo many years ago. I don't think I have a photo of a canoe on my Pilot, but it looks funny. It hangs well over 4' off the back, with the front of it just over the windshield when centered on the racks.
I really find it strange that they did not install a longer roof rack.
Jim
I use the OEM rack on my Subaru occasionally around town (not that I boat much anymore), but I'd just as soon not have an OEM rack on a new car. The one on the minivan is mostly useless for hauling the stuff I like to haul.
http://www.extendatruck.us/extend-a-truck-comments.htm
This is the front mount I was referring too, but would need a receiver mounted in front though.
By far, the biggest reason for canoe repairs, is from them coming off the vehicle during transport.
I had a rig like the Jeep one back in the mid-70's when I had a CJ-5. It wasn't stable, but that was a long time ago and surely these are designed better than my garage built one was.
It drives me crazy to see boats not tied down good. And it's a big pain finding something to tie the front painters to. I put a Perlon loop near the radiator bracket in the van. link. A front hitch would help that issue.
I had a rack fail on me with a Grumman on top and it's not fun, even though I was tied off front and rear and across the top. Kayakers are the worse - I give those guys a wide berth on the roads and I've known a few who have had boats fly off going down the highway.
Yet another one of mine:
17' Dagger Venture
Also, are there any cheaper after-market roof racks you recommend?
The Honda roof rack (rails & cross bars) sells for $400.
Thanks!