Bike Rack Recommendations for a 2005 Honda Pilot Without a Trailer Hitch
Question:
is there a bike rack that I can use on a 2005 honda pilot that does not have a hitch?
asked by: Funda
Expert Reply:
There are three different ways to carry bikes on a vehicle and those are with a trailer hitch mounted bike rack, a rooftop mounted bike rack or a trunk mounted bike rack. Only hitch mounted and rooftop mounted bike racks are recommended for your 2005 Honda Pilot since bike rack manufacturers have determined it is not safe to attach a trunk mounted bike rack on your rear hatch.
If you have a roof rack on your vehicle, then you could look into rooftop mounted bike racks like the Swagman Roof Bike Carrier, # S64720, which is one of our most popular rooftop bike racks. This rack is designed to fit on most factory crossbars, but you will want to measure to make sure your crossbars are no wider than 3-1/8 inches. I have attached a video review of this bike rack for you to check out as well as a link to all of our roof mounted bike racks.
If your crossbars are wider than 3-1/8 inches or you do not have a roof rack, then you would need to add a roof rack like the Yakima JetStream Crossbars # Y00426, BaseLine Towers # Y28TR, and BaseClip Fit Kit # Y06154. Be sure you check the weight capacity of your roof before mounting any cargo on your roof. I have also attached an installation video of this roof rack for you to check out.
I would recommend adding a trailer hitch to your vehicle and use a hitch mounted bike rack. It is much easier to load bikes on a hitch mounted bike rack than on a roof rack and the hitch mounted bike rack will not have any contact with your vehicle essentially eliminating the potential for damage from a bike rack or when loading bikes.
The trailer hitch that I would recommend for your vehicle is the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch, # 75599. This is our most cost effective class III hitch that will allow you to carry a wide variety of hitch mounted accessories and even tow a trailer if the situation arose. We have had a chance to install this bike rack on a vehicle similar to yours so I attached the installation video and instructions for you to check out.
We have a many bike racks for you to choose from that will work with this hitch. I have attached a link to all of the bike racks that will work for you. A hitch mounted bike rack that I would recommend is the Swagman XTC-2 Bike Rack, # S64670. This is one of our most popular bike racks and has a platform design that makes it easy to load and unload your bikes.
I have also listed a few additional items below that would complete the towing set up for your vehicle if you ever wanted to tow a trailer.
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness, # 118336 (Installation instructions and video attached)
Ball Mount Kit, # 989900
Products Referenced in This Question
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 350 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 5000 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 500 lbs WD TW
- Concealed Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- 1-7/8 Inch Ball
- 2 Inch Ball
- Two Balls
- Steel Ball
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Drop - 4 Inch
- Rise - 1 Inch
- Rise - 3 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Ball Mount Kit
- etrailer
more information >
Swagman XTC2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Platform Rack
- Folding Rack
- Frame Mount
- Locks Not Included
- 2 Bikes
- Class 2
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 1-1/4 and 2 Inch Hitch
- Swagman
more information >
Yakima JetStream Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 60" Long - Qty 2
- Roof Rack
- Crossbars
- Aero Bars
- 60 Inch Bar Space
- 2 Bars
- Overhang
- Black
- Yakima
more information >
BaseClip Fit Kit for Yakima BaseLine Roof Rack Towers - Qty 2
- Roof Rack
- Fit Kits
- 2 Pack
- Yakima
more information >
BaseLine Towers for Yakima Crossbars - Naked Roofs - Qty 4
- Accessories and Parts
- Roof Rack
- Tower Parts
- Towers
- Yakima
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Swagman Upright Bike Rack for 1 Bike - Roof Rack Crossbars - Frame Mount
- Roof Bike Racks
- Frame Mount
- 15mm Fork
- 15mm Thru-Axle
- 20mm Thru-Axle
- 5mm Fork
- 9mm Fork
- 9mm Thru-Axle
- Bike Lock
- Factory Bars
- Round Bars
- Square Bars
- Disc Brake Compatible
- Clamp On - Standard
- Black
- Swagman
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Will Swagman Roamer LT Roof Rack Fit 2023 Forest River Flagstaff 176LTD
- Q&A: Crossbar Recommendation for Truck with Retrax Tonneau Channels
- Q&A: Picking Between 65 and 71 inch Rhino Rack Crossbar Setup for Retrax XR Tonneau
- Q&A: Will the Swagman Upright Bike Rack item # S64720 Work w/ Vortex Aero Crossbars?
- Q&A: Crossbar Recommendation for 2024 Toyota Tundra with RetraxONE XR Tonnea Cover Installed
- Q&A: Cargo Basket Recommendation for 34" Tire Mounted on Truck Bed Roof Rack System
- Q&A: Parts Needed to Install Thule Crossbars in Channel of RetraxMX Tonneau
- Article: Rooftop Cargo Carriers
- Article: Ball Mount Basics: Weight Capacity, Class, and Size
- Article: Best Bike Racks for Families with Kids (2023)
- Article: What is Boondocking
- Article: Best Bike Racks for Electric Bikes
- Article: Using a Portable Generator on RV
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)