Easily Removable Roof Rack and Kayak Carrier Setup for 2019 Honda Pilot

Published 04/11/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Roof Rack and Lift Assist w/ Tie-Downs - Saddle Style - Universal Mount

(124)

$899.95

SeaSucker Monkey Bars Roof Rack - Round Bars - Vacuum Cup Mount - 48" Long

(51)

$499.00

Malone DownLoader Kayak Roof Rack w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Clamp On

(150)

$179.95

Telos XL Load Assist for Malone Kayak Carriers - Side Loading

(28)

$431.95

Question:

Adam R. helped me with options for two kayaks on a 2019 Honda Pilot. I would like to use two sets of the Malone DownLoader Kayak Carriers and the TelosXL Load Assist. I am planning on having the dealer install flush mount side rails on the Pilot. What cross bars would you recommend and would the cross bars be easy to remove? We only use the kayaks seasonally and I would like to have a minimum of stuffinch on the roof otherwise. Also how long are Load Assist units when fully retracted to place inside the vehicle? Thanks for your excellent information.

asked by: Graham C

Helpful Expert Reply:

If you are having OEM flush roof side rails installed on your 2019 Pilot you can use any profile of aftermarket crossbar (round, square, aero or elliptical) since the Malone DownLoader Kayak Carrier # MPG114MD fits any bar shape. By the way their Telos Load Assist # MPG351XL measures just under 59-inches long when retracted. All roof racks for this flush rail configuration are shown on the linked page.

Roof racks for the flush rail setup are not really intended for repeated installation and removal. Sure it can be done but it simply is not going to be that much fun to install one repeatedly. For your long-term satisfaction I recommend against this.

If you want a roof rack/kayak carrier setup that allows you to keep the Pilot's normal appearance for a large part of the year I ask you to consider a different option, an easily-installed and easily-removed vacuum cup roof rack from SeaSucker. Their Monkey Bar Rack # 298-SX6000B uses 6 powerful vacuum cups that install in just minutes. No, you can't lock the rack to the Pilot while you're kayaking but you can just lock it inside the Pilot along with the Downloaders and Telos! This option also means you do NOT have to buy the dealer-installed rails.

I suggest taking a tape measure to the Pilot roof to see if this bar length will give you the access you want. The permanent-install racks for the flush rails do come with longer bars, as long as 58-inches.

Please consider that the Monkey Bar/Downloader/Telos setup gives you a fully-transferable setup that you can easily move to another vehicle. For some this flexibility will be an unbeatable feature that makes this option ideal. The Monkey Bar rack has a 150-lb weight rating and since the two Downloader carriers together weigh 25-lbs you still have 125-lbs of capacity left for the two kayaks.