We have 17 EXL. Ours did not come with factory roof rails, but we want to add them. Has anyone installed them after the fact, how hard was it, etc. Or, am I better off just buying an aftermarket system like Thule?
Roof Rails Install
jeffs3232
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I installed the roof rails on my '16 SE after purchasing the vehicle. The adage - measure twice, cut once - applies here. Also, a powered cut off tool (eg, Dremel) helps immensely, although I did my trimming with a hacksaw. The cutting was probably the most difficult part in terms of time and effort spent. Everything after was simple.
I use the stock roof rails with my Yakima rail-grabber system.
I use the stock roof rails with my Yakima rail-grabber system.
The OEM rails were never installed from the factory, so they would be a dealer installed option at purchase. A DIY install is not difficult compared to many other car projects I have done. I used a jigsaw with a fine/metal blade to cut the channel trim - it is coated aluminum so no worries about corrosion.
Neither Thule or Yakima have direct fit options (feet + pads + clips) that bolt on without using the OEM rails as a base. You can use either the OEM crossbars (fixed position) or aftermarket crossbars. I went with an 'off brand' crossbar from Malone (available through eTrailer and other retailers) that work well and allowed me to put the cross bars where I wanted instead of the fixed OEM positions at much less than half the Yakima/Thule options. The OEM roof rails are not parallel, so keep that in mind (narrower at the back than the front) when setting things up. Make sure that whatever you carry will clear the open hatch (that's why I had to get aftermarket crossbars - my long roof box would otherwise interfere with the hatch).
I got nearly the best price available by ordering the parts online from my local dealer and selecting the 'pickup' option for shipping. They would gouge you if you go to the counter, but ordering online and picking up was easy as pie, so check around at your nearest dealer(s) to see if you can do something similar.
-Charlie
Neither Thule or Yakima have direct fit options (feet + pads + clips) that bolt on without using the OEM rails as a base. You can use either the OEM crossbars (fixed position) or aftermarket crossbars. I went with an 'off brand' crossbar from Malone (available through eTrailer and other retailers) that work well and allowed me to put the cross bars where I wanted instead of the fixed OEM positions at much less than half the Yakima/Thule options. The OEM roof rails are not parallel, so keep that in mind (narrower at the back than the front) when setting things up. Make sure that whatever you carry will clear the open hatch (that's why I had to get aftermarket crossbars - my long roof box would otherwise interfere with the hatch).
I got nearly the best price available by ordering the parts online from my local dealer and selecting the 'pickup' option for shipping. They would gouge you if you go to the counter, but ordering online and picking up was easy as pie, so check around at your nearest dealer(s) to see if you can do something similar.
-Charlie
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26 Posts
Which model of Malone crossbars did you get?
The 65" Aero bars. The 58" version will also fit just fine but won't have any extra room to mount items on the outside of the rail clamp (I can just squeeze my bike racks on the outside of the mounts if I also want to run a box in the middle).
AirFlow2™ Roof Rack - Aero Crossbars - Raised, Factory Side Rails - Aluminum - 50
USER MANUAL LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
-Charlie
here’s a link to a good install video with parts links
ericthecarguy.com
How To Install Roof Rails Honda Odyssey | EricTheCarGuy
https://www.youtube.com/embed/JvhuI6-ocrY title=How To Install Roof Rails Honda Odyssey -ETCG|group=mygroup}…
ericthecarguy.com
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