| zcd2.7t |
Can anyone recommend a trailer hitch cargo rack? With 6 people in the MDX, we'll still need space for luggage, and I don't want a roof rack.
I found this one, which looks pretty well engineered, and I like that it's made from aluminum, and comes fully assembled:
http://www.everthere.net/hshc/hshc_b_s_r.php
Has anyone seen or used this one, or another one that's worth a look?
TIA. |
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| JeffK |
I have not used the pictured hitch, but I have used a similar hitch for my bikes.
It was not a Thule or Yakima, but one that extended from the trailer hitch and created a platform.
We took off the front wheels and secured each bike to the platform.
The platform weighed about 40 lbs and each bike less than 15 lbs. (we have very light weight carbon fiber bikes)
So we are talking about 100 lbs. in total.
I suspect that the rack you are looking at, plus luggage you will put on it, will weigh a minimum of 100 lbs.
Here is what we found: The handling of the MDX was adversely affected. It felt like the rear end had a mind of its own. We did not feel comfortable going above 60 mph. We had to allow extra room for breaking.
Normally with four guys and luggage I find very little difference in the handling vs. my MDX empty.
Our next trip we put the same four bikes on the roof. Same four guys with luggage. Handling was not affected, although gas mileage was about 20% less!
I would not recommend this hitch. Just too much weight aft which throws off the center of gravity.
JeffK |
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| eujinc |
| I saw this at my local Costco and it's also available on Costco's website for $180 shipped. I wouldn't mind getting this as it will definitely come in handy when the 3rd row seats are being used. |
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| zcd2.7t |
quote:
I suspect that the rack you are looking at, plus luggage you will put on it, will weigh a minimum of 100 lbs.
A good point. I hadn't thought about it affecting the handling that much.
The MDX is rated to tow up to 5000 lbs, and surely there's some significant tongue weight at that level, so I'd hope that as long as one was careful with total rack weight, it would be OK.
The rack itself is light at 29 lbs., but you're absolutely correct about the total weight being probably 100 lbs +/.
We really don't want roof rails, and don't want to deal with loading stuff to that height (my wife is 5' 3"). |
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| JeffK |
FYI, I towed a 20 foot boat, weight 3500 to 4000 lbs., with my MDX.
With the trailer I kept it below 60 mph.
I am just saying the weight that far aft of the MDX, adversely affected the handling of my MDX.
How about a small step stool to get the luggage on the roof?
Also, although it may not be important, anything behind the MDX will get far dirtier than on the roof.
Another problem is backing up and when you pull into a parking spot there is the chance of another car swiping your rear end and finally from a safety point of view (stealing) things on the top of the roof are safer than things behind the MDX.
JeffK |
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| joekids |
| I have a rack like the one you are looking at but it does not fold.It is very useful and I don't know its there. The one you are looking at is better because it folds,I did see one that folds up to the back of the car,I would compare that one also. Joekids |
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| adr5 |
| I would not have thought that 100 lbs on a hitch rack would have that big an effect on handling. That is good know. |
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| JeffK |
It was not just the weight but the fact that the weight was so far aft of the car. This seemed to substantially change the moment of inertia.
JeffK |
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| alsea |
| Somehow I doubt 100lbs. in about the same aft of CG station as the rear cargo area would substantially affect the handling characteristics of a 5000lb. vehicle. Towing 3-5000 lbs. clearly does cause changes. I submit that the perceived handling differences are simply awareness induced, rather than actual. |
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| adr5 |
quote:
Originally posted by JeffK
It was not just the weight but the fact that the weight was so far aft of the car. This seemed to substantially change the moment of inertia.
JeffK
This should be no different than using a
hitch rack to carry bicycles. I've never
heard anyone else saying they had issues
when using a hitch rack. That is why I was surprised when you mentioned handling issues. |
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| JeffK |
As my post mentioned, my rack was not a hitch rack: It was a platform that extended about 4 feet aft of the bumper.
Unlike a hitch rack where the bikes are put on the rack on the top tube and then bunged together, with my rack you removed the front wheel and attached the bike via the fork.
My point is that the rack with bikes, weighed about 100 lbs and extended backwards about four feet.
This extra weight four feet aft of the bumper adversely affected handling.
JeffK |
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| kims MDX |
I use one called a Bumper Buddy, purchased from Northern Tool & Equipment (a chain and catalog operation). Mine has no ability to fold .... its always in the flat out position. We have used it for years for beach vacations when we needed all the seats .... and have found nothing to trouble us about it.
Hint, we used to use motorcycle straps to tie everything down .... but then discovered the clingy plastic wrap in a roll, as purchased at U-Haul store. A few laps around the whole bundle, and you're done. The stuff is great .... as long as you don't need access to the goods while enroute.
Kim |
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| perk |
I sincerely doubt that 100 lbs on the hitch rack would affect the handling of a normal MDX. I traveled more than 12,000 miles with a hitch rack and bike rack on back and had no problem. Of course, the rear end was level on my car because I had air bladders in the rear springs also. But take a look at the link below and you'll get an idea of what the X can handle.
Take a look here . |
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| kims MDX |
quote:
Originally posted by perk
I sincerely doubt that 100 lbs on the hitch rack would affect the handling of a normal MDX.
I completely agree. We have packed up to 150# on our bumper buddy .... and never noticed anything different in the handling.
Kim |
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