Honda roof rack crossbars may be unsafe if used with cargo boxes.
Have talked to Thule and Yakima and both said the Honda crossbars are not acceptable for cargo boxes. The reason given was not their weight capacity, but that they cannot stand much lift force. Both Yakima and Thule said they would not warrant their boxes or be liable for damages to your vehicle or others following it, should the crossbars separate from the siderails. Neither will Honda.
I called Honda Customer Service today,(new number 1-800-999-1009) and they verified what Yakima and Thule said. When I asked what Honda was doing about the problem, they said "nothing". I asked if there wasn't implied fitness for this type of use, as that is what so many of the racks are used for, they said NO!. "The crossbars have a purpose, but cargo boxes was not one of them". When I asked what they accepted use for the crossbars was, they could not give me an answer. They said that we should install the attachments made by the box manufacturer.
I also mentioned that there was no warning of the crossbars limitations on the installation instructions or owners manuals but recieved the "they have a purpose" reply again. I guess decoration and wallet lightening are the purposes. I told them I would be contacting the NHTSA and informing them of this potential hazard. They said "go ahead". (I did).
So much for Honda Customer Service and Japanese engineering.
Regards
AL
Added in Edit 7-21:
Here is the number for the Thule Technical Service: 800-238-2388 Check it out. I did not write down the name of the rep, but it was a lady. I did not write down the Yakima number.
[This message has been edited by albaby (edited 07-21-2001).]
[This message has been edited by albaby (edited 07-23-2001).]