Fit of Yakima KingJoe Pro 3 Bike Rack # Y02625 on 2004 Honda Pilot

Expert Reply:

The best and most convenient bike carrying option for your 2004 Honda Pilot would be to install a hitch and use a hitch-mounted bike rack.

Yakima and Thule both state that the 2004 Honda Pilot is incompatible with a trunk-mounted bike rack due to the rear glass and the fact that there is no acceptable place to attach the lower fastening straps that a trunk mount rack would use.

For a hitch, I would recommend the Draw-Tite Class III, part # 75599. We have numerous bike racks available for a class III hitch. The Swagman Trailhead, part # S63365 is a good economically-priced option, offering anti-sway cradles to securely hold the bikes to the rack and an anti-rattle threaded hitch pin that will hold the rack tightly to the receiver. I would also recommend a locking hitch pin and cable combo, part # S64031 that would secure the bikes to the rack and the rack to the vehicle. On the higher end of the price spectrum, we have a lightweight aluminum 3-bike rack like the Yakima HighLite, part # Y02439. The HighLite is a durable rack that only weighs around 20 lbs. The rack includes an integrated cable lock and locking connection to your hitch.

expert reply by: Mike L