Recommended Roof Rack, Cargo Box, and Towing Setup for 2017 Honda Pilot EX L
Question:
Hello-Your website is a great source of information, but I could use some guidance. I just bought a 2017 Honda Pilot EX L with a naked roof. I want to purchase a roof rack system, storage box, and hitch system all at once. The roof rack will be used primarily to hold the storage box on vacations. The hitch will be used for a bike attachment to hold 2-4 bikes. I am looking at the Yakima Jet Stream or the Thule AeroBlade Edge Roof Rack - Fixed Mounting Points/Flush, Factory Side Rails - Aluminum - Silver. and then I am looking at a 16 or 18 cubic foot box from Thule or Yakima. Can you provide advice on a roof rack and cargo load that would work well together on this vehicle? The hitch systems look easier to pick
asked by: Matt E
Expert Reply:
Congrats on the purchase of your 2017 Honda Pilot. For your roof rack, the naked roof will require the custom door clips instead of the other options you mentioned. I recommend going with the Rhino-Rack ROC25 Roof Rack for Naked Roofs - Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black # RR73XR which is a clean look and comes with the locks to secure the rack to your roof. The bars will be 31-1/2 inches on center so I recommend using the Thule Pulse Large Rooftop Cargo Box - 16 cu ft - Matte Black # TH615 for your cargo. This will allow you to put 129 lbs of cargo on your roof inside the box to stay within the 165 lb rating of the roof rack carrying the 36 lb box.
For your hitch, I recommend the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # e98840 along with the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # 118760. Then you can use the etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs # 989900 and you'll be ready to tow. I've attached some videos to assist.
Products Referenced in This Question
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Powered Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
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 >
etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 900 lbs TW
- 6000 lbs GTW
- 8000 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 900 lbs WD TW
- Concealed Cross Tube
- etrailer
more information >
Rhino-Rack ROC25 Roof Rack for Naked Roofs - Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black
- Roof Rack
- Complete Roof Systems
- Aero Bars
- 46 Inch Bar Space
- 2 Bars
- Flush
- Black
- Rhino Rack
more information >
Expansion Arm for Rhino-Rack J-Style Kayak Carrier
- Accessories and Parts
- Watersport Carriers
- Roof Mount Carrier Parts
- Arms
- Rhino Rack
more information >
Rhino-Rack Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On
- Watersport Carriers
- Kayak
- Roof Mount Carrier
- J-Style
- Folding
- Elliptical Bars
- Factory Bars
- Side Loading
- Clamp On
- No Load Assist
- Rhino Rack
more information >
Thule Pulse Large Rooftop Cargo Box - 16 cu ft - Matte Black
- Roof Box
- Aero Bars
- Factory Bars
- Round Bars
- Square Bars
- Medium Length
- High Profile
- Large Capacity
- Passenger Side Access
- Black
- Thule
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Yakima SkyBox 18 Rooftop Cargo Box - 18 cu ft - Black Carbonite
- Roof Box
- Aero Bars
- Elliptical Bars
- Factory Bars
- Square Bars
- Round Bars
- Extra Long Length
- Medium Profile
- Large Capacity
- Dual Side Access
- Black
- Yakima
more information >
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Matt
7/20/2020
Hello-Your website is a great source of information, but I could use some guidance. I just bought a 2017 Honda Pilot EX L with a naked roof. I want to purchase a roof rack system, storage box, and hitch system all at once. The roof rack will be used primarily to hold the storage box on vacations. The hitch will be used for a bike attachment to hold 2-4 bikes. I am looking at the Yakima Jet Stream or the Thule AeroBlade Edge Roof Rack - Fixed Mounting Points/Flush, Factory Side Rails - Aluminum - Silver. and then I am looking at a 16 or 18 cubic foot box from Thule or Yakima. Can you provide advice on a roof rack and cargo load that would work well together on this vehicle? The hitch systems look easier to pick