Cargo Carrier Options for 2016 Honda Pilot with Naked Roof

Question:

Hello, Planning a cross country trip and roof storage is needed. I see the Rhino rack here as an option. First question, does it necessarily block the sunroof or can it be set further back? Second, can you recommend some general purpose cargo racks to go with it? Again, leaving the sunroof clear would be optimal for us. Thank you.

asked by: Kevin D

Expert Reply:

We can help you with cargo carrying options for your 2016 Honda Pilot that will be making a cross-country trip. Roof carriers are one way to go and the linked article will help you consider which type best suits your particular cargo. Most of these rooftop carriers will require that the Pilot have a roof rack installed but soft bags like # RL100S30 can install on bare roofs - no rack required. These make for a great cost-effective option.

Just about any rooftop accessory item is going to generate wind noise and typically folks with sun/moon roofs will choose to keep them closed to avoid that noise entering the passenger cabin.

If you prefer, and if the Pilot has a 2-inch hitch like # e98840, you can use a hitch-mounted cargo carrier like # e98874. A hitch will handle several times the cargo weight of your Pilot's roof and so you might consider this option either instead of or in addition to a roof rack-mounted cargo box like the Thule Force XT # TH6356B.

No matter which roof carrier you choose keep in mind that the weight of the carrier itself also counts against the car roof weight capacity. The Force weighs 35-lbs all by itself without cargo loaded, so this means that if your roof were rated for 125-lbs (just as an example) then after you deduct the 35-lbs you are left with a cargo weight capacity of 90-lbs (125 - 35 = 90). Rooftop cargo carriers of any type are easier to use along with a step like # TE97FR.

The same cargo weight calculation applies to hitch carriers. If the car were rated for 600-lbs of tongue weight, the same as the hitch noted above, then after you deducted the 70-lb weight of the hitch carrier you would have remaining a cargo capacity of 530-lbs (600 - 70 = 530).

I suggest you check your Honda manual for the car's roof and hitch tongue weight capacities. Also, please feel free to tell me a bit about your cargo load and I will be glad to offer additional help.