EX Cross Bars and Roof Top Luggage Carrier

benezrj · Mar 4, 2002

I'm planning on getting cross bars installed for my 2001 EX. We may be driving from NY to Florida this summer. Has anyone used roof top luggae carriers? I know NOTHING about this stuff, but I need the extra space so am interesting in buying (or, can one RENT these?) a carrier. I don't needa large one (if they even come in sizes) - just enough for say, 2 or 3 suitcases full.

Any recommendations or links I can checkout? Thanks JEFF

HTownOdy · Mar 4, 2002

Originally posted by benezrj:
Has anyone used roof top luggae carriers? I know NOTHING about this stuff, but I need the extra space so am interesting in buying (or, can one RENT these?) a carrier. I don't needa large one (if they even come in sizes) - just enough for say, 2 or 3 suitcases full.

Any recommendations or links I can checkout? Thanks JEFF

Haven't used one myself but have noticed that WeatherTech makes a rooftop cargo carrier that holds 4 suitcases. It's not a hard shell and doesn't appear to be the most aerodynamic design but it's only $80.

http://www.macneil.com/store/vehsearch.asp?make_id=21&veh_id=281&year_no=2002&veh_opt_choice_id=&item_group_id=7

Reynard · Mar 4, 2002

Before you do this please search this site on the topic of cross-bars. There has been a great deal of discussion on whether or not the Honda cross-bars are suitable for luggage boxes. Consensus from Honda, Thule, Yakima etc, was that the Honda bars should not be used for luggage boxes. I went with the Thule cross bars and adapters as a result.

MJF · Mar 4, 2002

There seems to be a fairly strong consensus among people on this forum that the Honda cross bars should not be used with roof top carrier boxes. The issues seems to be the "lift force" created by wind pushing against the box while the van is moving (as opposed to the weight of the box) being too strong for the Honda cross bars (not the side rails, which apparently are strong enough). People apparently use either Yakima or Thule cross bars with the Honda side rails. I have not been able to find a Yakima or Thule cross bar set that is designed for the 2002 Odyssey, but they must make one.

I think this may be the link to one of the discussions on the subject:

http://www.odyclub.com/w.htm

Please let us know if you learn anything that could add to this discussion.

ckonarske · Mar 4, 2002

I have Thule crossbar adapters for sale in the "Buy/Sell/Trade" forum if you decide to go that route.

------------------
Chuck K,
Self-elected President, Vice President, Sergeant-at Arms and one and only member of the, now official, Former Ody Owners chapter of the OdyClub, founded 2/02/2002.

Car2ns · Mar 4, 2002

On my old Windstar, I borrowed a carrier and let it set "inside" the crossbars and used nylon straps through the rails, under and over the carrier to hold it in place.

rumbaoa · Mar 4, 2002

My friend traveled from Fresno to L.A. and back with the use of a hard-shell carrier(pretty big) and Honda-cross bars. The carrier was full of stuff and he had no problems whatsoever with the van and the crossbars. He only have to make minor adjustments with the crossbars so it would fit the supports of the carrier. I am sure that the weight was not even close to 100lbs.

soccerody · Mar 5, 2002

Originally posted by htown:

Haven't used one myself but have noticed that WeatherTech makes a rooftop cargo carrier that holds 4 suitcases. It's not a hard shell and doesn't appear to be the most aerodynamic design but it's only $80.

http://www.macneil.com/store/vehsearch.asp?make_id=21&veh_id=2 81&year_no=2002&veh_opt_choice_id=&item_group_id=7

We purchased this one last fall for a Thanksgiving trip to Connecticut using our CRV. It worked great as it sets on the roof and the straps attach to the cross bars very securly. There is not a problem with lift and the felt on the bottom protects the paint. Very little additional noise.

The downside. You cannot secure it and I would not use it if you would leave the vehicle unattended with objects in the carrier. Also it is not weather proof. On the way home we got into the worst rain storm that I have seen in years. Needless to say the unprotected sleeping bag and some other items got wet. Items that I had put in plastic storage containers were fine.

benezrj · Mar 5, 2002

Thanks everyone! I think I'll look into the WeatherTech product. Since we will likely do this once, I don't see the need to spend hundreds of dollars on a shell-type carrier.

Since this rests directly on the roof of the Ody, is there a weight concern? The product holds up to 4 suitcases and even though I'm getting cross bars, I'm not sure if the cross bars can be adjusted forward/backward so that the carrier rests on TOP of the cross bars, or direclty on the roof of the van, and the cross bars are used to just secure the carrier... anyone know? thanks again JEFF

shareef · Mar 5, 2002

don't know about mcneil, I saw one a super walmart for $29.99 you can always return it if it does not work for you.

HTownOdy · Mar 7, 2002

Originally posted by benezrj:
Thanks everyone! I think I'll look into the WeatherTech product. Since we will likely do this once, I don't see the need to spend hundreds of dollars on a shell-type carrier.

Since this rests directly on the roof of the Ody, is there a weight concern? The product holds up to 4 suitcases and even though I'm getting cross bars, I'm not sure if the cross bars can be adjusted forward/backward so that the carrier rests on TOP of the cross bars, or direclty on the roof of the van, and the cross bars are used to just secure the carrier... anyone know? thanks again JEFF

Sounds like this product is designed to sit directly on the roof and is then strapped to the rack. Maybe it's worth a call to the 800 number they list on their site to get the details.

Shareef is right. I too saw a similar carrier at Super Walmart this evening for a lot less $$. Don't know if it's as nice as the Weathertech though.

Let us know what you decide on and how it works out.

HTownOdy · Mar 7, 2002

Originally posted by soccerody:

Also it is not weather proof. On the way home we got into the worst rain storm that I have seen in years. Needless to say the unprotected sleeping bag and some other items got wet. Items that I had put in plastic storage containers were fine.

Hmmm... guess the repellent PVC coating they mention doesn't repel much.

EX Cross Bars and Roof Top Luggage Carrier

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