| jinskeep |
| I have a 2001 MDX with no trailer hitch. I want to put a bike rack on, but am only 5'1" tall. I can't see getting my bike up on a roof rack. I also don't usually have the space inside due to a baby seat, other gear, etc. I guess if something installed easily inside I might go for it. Does anyone know of an easy kit to use that works well? What I'm really interested in knowing about though is a trunk rack like the Thule Backpack. It seems like the perfect solution, but when I went to the Thule site, it says it won't work on the MDX. How about the Thule Easyrider or Speedway trunk racks? Does anyone use any of those three? I need some suggestions. Thanks so much for your help! |
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| delphinus |
Did the Thule webpage really say that the Backpack won't work for the 2001? I was just looking at their page myself, and when I plugged in 2003 MDX, the Backpack was the first rack to appear (along with the Easy Rider, the Speedway, and the Freeway.)
Sorry I can't be of more help (I haven't actually purchased the MDX yet...) Maybe if you ask at REI or give Thule a call, they can help out. Or check Yakima? |
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| stumpie |
| .....a trailer hitch ($100 for the Hidden Hitch) and the Bauer bike attachment are what I went with. Sportrack.com has the rack....hiddenhitch.com has the hitch..... |
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| gerryh31 |
| I have a 2001 MDX as well. As Stumpie indicated, I purchased a hitch from Hidden Hitch as well (2" unit) about $100 or so, and took only about 10 minutes to install. Don't need the cooling system if you are only loading up bikes. I also went with the Thule 996 Expressway (2" hook up ) that holds 4 bikes. The unit works nicely, the rack forks can fold down when not in use, and when the are folded down, the rear gate clears the rack easily. The entire bike rack also pivots down to provide more access to the back area. In the summer I've kept the rack on the back with the fork down when not in use. |
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| sbpmdx2003 |
| I went with a HiddenHitch (etrailer.com - about $150) and Thule Hitching Post Pro (rackattack.com - about $150 again). both sites were great in terms of shopping / shipping experience. Install was a breeze with neighbour's wrench set (regular wrench did not do it - needed an extension kit). |
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| gerryh31 |
sbpmdx2003
I'm sure you will enjoy your system. Good luck. |
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| Red X |
| A local bike shop tells me it will fit my 03. I plan to stop by later this week to purchase one and will let you know. |
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| Wazowski |
I'll add my name to the list of MDX owners that have added a trailer hitch and a hitch-mounted bike rack. (See my signature below.)
IMHO, this is the best way to go since it would be tough for all but the very tall to put bikes on the roof of the MDX. The trailer hitch not that expensive and is easy to install on the MDX--no drilling or welding is required. Just bolt the rack on using the existing already-threaded holes. If you don't want to install the hitch yourself, you can have it installed pretty cheap at The Sports Rack, U-Haul, etc. As for the bike rack, I love my Thule 998 Trailblazer. It swings away so you can open your rear tailgate easily. It also folds down and rotates for easy storage or to take up less space when no bikes are mounted. |
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| mgmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by Wazowski
...IMHO, this is the best way to go since it would be tough for all but the very tall to put bikes on the roof of the MDX. ...
Although this will vary by individual, I do not necessarily agree with this statement. I am 5'8", not tall by any means, and have no problems putting the bikes on the roof of my MDX. I have been using a roof mounted Yakima bike carrier system on my SUVs for the last 10+ years (including for 2+ years on the MDX) with no problems at all.
In my opinion, roof-based fork mount type bike carrier systems provide the most secure and convenient way to carry bikes on the MDX. Roof-based systems also allow you to carry a variety of other equipment on the roof of your MDX. |
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| Wazowski |
quote:
Originally posted by mgmdx
Although this will vary by individual, I do not necessarily agree with this statement. I am 5'8", not tall by any means, and have no problems putting the bikes on the roof of my MDX. I have been using a roof mounted Yakima bike carrier system on my SUVs for the last 10+ years (including for 2+ years on the MDX) with no problems at all.
In my opinion, roof-based fork mount type bike carrier systems provide the most secure and convenient way to carry bikes on the MDX. Roof-based systems also allow you to carry a variety of other equipment on the roof of your MDX.
Good points, mgmdx. It's all relative. Jinskeep, the originator of this thread, is 5' 1" so s/he might find carrying bikes on the roof is best suited for those that are "tall."
Another thing to keep in mind is the number of bikes that you are trying to carry. Previously, I had Yakima fork mount type bike carriers on my roof and they worked fine. When I only carried one bike, it was a piece of cake. However, when I was trying to crowd four bikes on my roof, the two "inside" racks weren't as "easy" to mount as the two "outside" racks since I had to reach over the outside racks to access the inside racks. In short (no pun intended), it helps to be taller.
I agree with you that roof-based fork mount type bike carrier systems are probably the most secure and the "best" for your bike. No reasonable amount of strapping and bungie-cording will keep the bikes as secure on a hitch-mounted bike carrier when traveling bumpy roads as a fork mount. On a bumpy road, there is a risk that the bikes may swing and bang into each on a hitch mount. Not a probem with fork mounts. However, just be careful when you're pulling into your garage . . . . (now that's a topic for the "Stupidest things I've ever done" thread . . . .)
YMMV! |
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| mgmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by Wazowski
...It's all relative. Jinskeep, the originator of this thread, is 5' 1" so s/he might find carrying bikes on the roof is best suited for those that are "tall."
Another thing to keep in mind is the number of bikes that you are trying to carry. ...In short (no pun intended), it helps to be taller.
Agree. :4:
quote:
Originally posted by Wazowski
I agree with you that roof-based fork mount type bike carrier systems are probably the most secure and the "best" for your bike. No reasonable amount of strapping and bungie-cording will keep the bikes as secure on a hitch-mounted bike carrier when traveling bumpy roads as a fork mount. On a bumpy road, there is a risk that the bikes may swing and bang into each on a hitch mount. Not a probem with fork mounts. However, just be careful when you're pulling into your garage . . . . (now that's a topic for the "Stupidest things I've ever done" thread . . . .)
YMMV!
Agree again. :4: |
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| Wazowski |
quote:
Originally posted by mgmdx
Agree. :4:
Agree again. :4:
Great minds . . . . ! :cool: |
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| Markedoc |
Ditto on the Hidden Hitch (www.etrailer.com) and Thule 996 (www.agees.com) ... I need to carry 4 bikes and thought this was the easiest way to do it.
My only suggestion on the hitch installation would be to try all of the bolts before you put the hitch on. I had several bolt holes that were somewhat clogged with dirt, etc and they were tough to get the bolts in. |
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| snakedriver |
In response to the original posting, the Thule Backpack will fit your vehicle. It is probably the best designed rack that will fit the MDX very snugly. The 978 Easy Rider and 962 Speedway will also fit the MDX. All these trunk racks can carry 3 bikes. The price difference seems to reflect the quality and durability of the respective products. I found all the info and discount prices at ORS Racks Direct
Thule Backpack info and pics link here-
Thule Backpack trunk bike racks |
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| madress |
Although I'm a novice with the MDX, I've been hauling bikes for years. For secure transport of a number of bikes nothing beats the hitch mount approach as a number of others have mentioned in this thread. IMHO, Yakima is far superior to any other brand of hitch carrier out there. I know a lot of folks are talking about Thule but that stuff doesn't come close to the quality of Yakima.
That said, if you want to use a trunk mount carrier then I highly recommend going with a Bones rack from Saris. These racks are extremely stable and very adjustable. I haven't tried one on the MDX however so I can't be sure it will work. I suspect though that if any trunk rack would work it would be the Bones. |
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