Better rack

[Wicked]

IMHO
I need a rack and am faced with many terrible choices.
1. The Honda OEM rack is TOO BIG and TOO UGLY, wind noise issues.
I have had other trucks, all Fords. F150s, Explorers all had functional, noise free, stylish, unobtrusive, utilitarian racks. Why can't an innovative company like Honda figure it out. I can only imagine Honda farmed out the job to someone as a last thought, and blew it.

2. Yakima, Thule, etc all look tacked on and are not OEM looking, but they are sturdy. I would prefer to have a rack that mounts to the bolts already existing for the current OEM rack. They all make noise and need to clamp into the door opening. Not acceptable for a OEM clean installation.

3. I had a rack made by Quick and Easy, a gutter system, it was very substantial, made of cast aluminum. I may try to modify their rack to the OEM bolts. But why should I have to do that?

4. Make backup sensors standard, I am getting tired of not knowing where the back of this truck is. You cannot see past the rear tires with the mirrors.

5. My compliments on a very nice truck. The Honda engineers thought of almost everything.

[ChrisM]

Originally Posted by Wicked

IMHO
I need a rack and am faced with many terrible choices.

I would like a rack like the Nissan Exterra. I'm not a fan of the Honda rack myself.

I have only had my Thule on my RL one time. It's not very attractive either.

[GeNeRaL]

Originally Posted by Wicked

IMHO
I need a rack and am faced with many terrible choices.
1. The Honda OEM rack is TOO BIG and TOO UGLY, wind noise issues.
I have had other trucks, all Fords. F150s, Explorers all had functional, noise free, stylish, unobtrusive, utilitarian racks. Why can't an innovative company like Honda figure it out. I can only imagine Honda farmed out the job to someone as a last thought, and blew it.

Aside from creating some noise, this is all your opinion. I guess what I mean is that they can't pleave everyone. I love the look of the OEM rack. Actually, Mine must be posessed, too, because I hardly notice any noise at any speed up to 75MPH - or maybe I attribute what little noise i hear to the moonroof lol

2. Yakima, Thule, etc all look tacked on and are not OEM looking, but they are sturdy. I would prefer to have a rack that mounts to the bolts already existing for the current OEM rack. They all make noise and need to clamp into the door opening. Not acceptable for a OEM clean installation.

Agreed, thus the reason I got the OEM rack.

3. I had a rack made by Quick and Easy, a gutter system, it was very substantial, made of cast aluminum. I may try to modify their rack to the OEM bolts. But why should I have to do that?

well, I see your point, but technically, you don't have to.

4. Make backup sensors standard, I am getting tired of not knowing where the back of this truck is. You cannot see past the rear tires with the mirrors.

Personally, I felt the sensors were entirely not necessary, especially for the added expence. Yeah, they are a nice luxury, but I'm glad I didn't have to pay for them! I had a friend motion me to back up one time and then i sat in the truck and just eyeballed the position of the truck in relation to the guard rail, and i've been fine ever since.

5. My compliments on a very nice truck. The Honda engineers thought of almost everything.

Agreed on all counts on this part!

[Beaullieu]

Another option is to do what I did. Permanently install the Yakima Tracks on the roof. Then you can use the Yakima control towers on your rack set up and install or remove in about 2 min. Works great when needed and no wind resistance or noise when not needed.

[Wicked]

Another option is to do what I did. Permanently install the Yakima Tracks on the roof. Then you can use the Yakima control towers on your rack set up and install or remove in about 2 min. Works great when needed and no wind resistance or noise when not needed.

Nice job, I have not seen the Yakima Track before. Thanks for the info.

[craigger]

The Yak Tracks work really well with the LEER cap also: