How To Carry A 300Lb. Scooter And 2 Bikes On A 2004 Honda Pilot

Question:

I have a 2004 Honda Pilot. My question is can I use a rear window/trunk bike rack and the MaxxTow MaxxHaul Aluminum Motorcycle Carrier for 2inch Hitches - 400 lbs # e98873 at the same time. Using a small landscape trailer or roof mount or front bumper mount is not an option. My tongue wt capacity is such that I believe I can only carry a light hitch mounted carrier plus my Scooter of 286 lbs. without exceeding the limit. The bike I also want to take weighs 45 lbs.

asked by: William G

Expert Reply:

While using a hitch or trunk mounted bike rack, the heaviest bike will need to be on the first slot of the carrier closest to the rear bumper.

No, tongue weight is used for any object or accessory attached to a trailer hitch receiver and unfortunately, there is no way to increase the tongue weight capacity of a hitch for hitch mounted accessories.

There are also no fail safe or safety feature built into either the vehicle or hitch receiver when exceeding the recommended tongue weight capacity.

We have two trailer hitch receivers available for you 2004 Honda Pilot such as the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 75599, however, both of which have a maximum tongue weight capacity of 350 lbs. Even though your vehicle may have a maximum tongue weight rating of 450 lbs. You will need to abide by the lower of the two ratings.

Since your scooter weighs 300 lbs, you will want a carrier that weighs less than 50 lbs. Therefore, I recommend using the 22-1/2x49 Curt Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches part # C18113 as this is one of our only options that will remain within your tongue weight capacity.

In order to stow an additional two bikes while using the rear mounted cargo carrier, I recommend installing a front mount hitch and hitch mounted bike rack like the Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 33328 and the the Swagman E-Spec 2-Bike Carrier part # S94FR.

expert reply by: Conner L

Bill

11/7/2017

Conner L.

11/7/2017

The likelihood of you being able to use a trunk bike carrier with the etrailer Motorcycle Carrier part # e98873 on your 2004 Honda Pilot is extremely low. The motorcycle carrier does not extend outward enough to clear the bike rack with bikes attached. In addition to clearance issues, the maximum bike weight that can be carried with the trunk racks is 33-35 lbs per bike therefore will not work with your 45 lb bike. Since both roof and front mounted hitch options are out of the realm of possibility, I do not have an option for you to carry a 286 lb scooter and 45 lb bike at the same time on the rear of a vehicle.