| crwmlw |
| Hello all I have an '05 MDX Touring along with a newborn baby and 2 yellow labs. Were going to be taking a few road trips with the baby and dogs and were in desperate need for more cargo space, anyone in the same boat? I was thinking of getting the hitch installed then getting the cargo carrier (24"x60") along with a cargo bag thats 24"x60"x24", the only problem is the size is so big (which I like)that it looks like I will have to get the lights for it since the stock ones will be obstructed, As far as a roof rack or box goes I think it will be a pain to load and unload it, Any ideas from anyone that can relate?Thanks, Chuck |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by crwmlw
Hello all I have an '05 MDX Touring along with a newborn baby and 2 yellow labs. Were going to be taking a few road trips with the baby and dogs and were in desperate need for more cargo space, anyone in the same boat? I was thinking of getting the hitch installed then getting the cargo carrier (24"x60") along with a cargo bag thats 24"x60"x24", the only problem is the size is so big (which I like)that it looks like I will have to get the lights for it since the stock ones will be obstructed, As far as a roof rack or box goes I think it will be a pain to load and unload it, Any ideas from anyone that can relate?Thanks, Chuck
Too late to trade it for an Ody? :D |
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| G. COLTON |
quote:
Originally posted by crwmlw
Hello all I have an '05 MDX Touring along with a newborn baby and 2 yellow labs. Were going to be taking a few road trips with the baby and dogs and were in desperate need for more cargo space, anyone in the same boat? I was thinking of getting the hitch installed then getting the cargo carrier (24"x60") along with a cargo bag thats 24"x60"x24", the only problem is the size is so big (which I like)that it looks like I will have to get the lights for it since the stock ones will be obstructed, As far as a roof rack or box goes I think it will be a pain to load and unload it, Any ideas from anyone that can relate?Thanks, Chuck
Just remember that is you put much weight on that cargo carrier that extends off the hitch that you are lightening the load on the front. You will be removing weight from the front tires and thereby changing the steering.
If I had to make a choice I would go with a roof carrier.
G |
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| MDX189 |
I went with the rack on the back with the cargo bag that sits on it. I'm not sure of the exact dimensions though.
It works very well for me. It does not obstruct the lights and I don't have to worry about accidentally pulling into the garage forgetting that there's a box on the roof.
I try to load stuff in there that's bulky, but not too heavy. It's definitely much easier than dealing with a roof box, IMHO. That said, it won't hold skis or other long objects like some roofboxes can.
I can also open and close the tailgate while it's installed.
Good luck with your decision.
MDX189 |
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| crwmlw |
| I feel the same way, the height of the MDX alone without a cargo box on the roof is high enough to have troubles loading and unloading, Is there anyway you would be willing to send a pic of your setup along with some dimensions? It would be greatly appreciated. Im looking at a 24"x60" carrier with a cargo bag with the dimensions of 60"x24"x24", just doing a rough measurment on the truck without having the carrier in front of me makes me think the lights will be obstructed. My email is crwmlw@comcast.net. Thanks so much, Chuck |
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| crwmlw |
| The weight I know for sure wont be an issue, I'll be loading bulky equipment thats not too heavy such as a baby stroller, 1 piece of luggage, pack and play crib etc. Probably wont exceed 100-150LBS. This way the room I do have in the truck could be used for diaper bags etc. |
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| andreseng |
| They don't block the brake/turn signals at all. But depending on your load they can block your license plate. I mounted a license plate holder directly to the carrier via some predrilled holes. Works like a champ. |
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| crwmlw |
| I think they will with the size bag im going with wont they? The bag and carrier are 60" wide by 24" high, 24 inches from the hitch up go just above the tail lights, But I'll be honest, without me having all this yet I wont know for sure. I know the 48" bags wont block the tail lights. Do you have a 60" wide bag? Thanks for the help, Chuck |
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| anvil |
I can relate. We use a Thule Excursion roof box with the standard MDX roof rack. It goes on and off quickly and there is no perceptable wind noise.
The Excursion is hinged at the front so I find it easy to load by standing on top of either of the rear wheels.
It is too tall for most underground garages but since most of our road trips involve driving far away from such urban problems it's not an issue. |
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| screbr |
Similar "problem" - 2 small kids and 1 Lab....
I went with the roof top box option, and recommend it. When we travel, I put the stroller, port-a-crib, booster chair, and as many duffles as I can fit up there. Obviously there's a finite amount of weight to consider, but most of the stuff is just bulky plastic junk that doesn't fit easily in the main cabin. I think that you can carry sooo much more stuff in a large roof top box than you can in one of those hitch mounted thingys.
Wind noise is a negative; I can't/won't drive with the sunroof open when it's mounted. Too much noise... But with the glass and slider closed, you can't even tell it's there.
Storing the box is kind of a pain as well, but it's not too heavy, and can be mounted to hang from a wall or roof of a garage fairly easily.
I have side steps, which helps with loading and unloading, but I also climb onto the rear tire and/or into the 2nd row floor to reach some things. |
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| andreseng |
quote:
Originally posted by crwmlw
Do you have a 60" wide bag? Thanks for the help, Chuck
No, I don't use a bag. I use a tarp with a spider type cargo bungee. I put the tarp down first, load everything on to this Hitch Hauler, then pull the tarp over the items, e.g. Coolers, folding chairs, tables, wood etc., then secure it with this Cargo Net. (Note: I don't have the side rails installed that are shown in the Cargo Net picture.) The only thing that ever gets blocked is the license plate. |
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| crwmlw |
| Thanks everyone for the help. screbr what type of cargo box do you have? |
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| screbr |
quote:
Originally posted by crwmlw
Thanks everyone for the help. screbr what type of cargo box do you have?
I've got the Thule Mountaineer. I needed the extra length (it's like 92") because I've got longer backcountry skis I haul. It's also wide enough to hold our stoller when it's flattened. I bought it before Thule came out with the newer models (i.e., Evolution), but size-wise it is comparable to the 1800 series Thule boxes. |
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| Sinecure |
| Kids fit better in the roof box. |
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