What are the Best Roof Racks for a 2009 Honda CRV and a 2007 Honda Pilot?

Updated 07/27/2021 | Published 07/24/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 49" Long - Qty 2

(2754)

$222.69

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(524)

$221.94

etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"

(555)

$208.37

RCH Legs for Rhino-Rack Crossbars and Pioneer Platforms - Fixed Mounting Points - Qty 4

(133)

$215.69

Custom RCP Fit Kit for 4 Rhino-Rack RC and RV Series Roof Rack Legs - Fixed Mounting Points

(299)

$139.99

Rhino-Rack T-Load Hitch Mounted Load Assist and Support Bar for 2" Hitches - 49" Long

(509)

$359.99

Question:

Hi, I would like to carry two 50 pound fishing kayaks on my 2009 Honda CR-V which has a bare roof but seems to have attachment points. I also have a 2007 Honda Pilot with roof rails, but it seems like the CR-V might be easier on my shoulders when lifting the boats. What racks or systems do you recommend? Thanks

asked by: Brendan S

Expert Reply:

If you are contemplating whether to transport 2 50-pound fishing kayaks on your 2009 Honda CR-V or your 2007 Honda Pilot, there are crossbar systems that are compatible with both vehicles.

For your 2009 Honda CR-V with flush rails, I recommend the following parts:

- Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 49" Long - Qty 2 # RRVA126B-2
- RCH Legs for Rhino-Rack Crossbars and Pioneer Platforms - Fixed Mounting Points - Qty 4 # RRRCH4
- Custom RCP Fit Kit for 4 Rhino-Rack RC and RV Series Roof Rack Legs - Fixed Mounting Points # RRRCP15-BK

If you are looking for easy of loading, I recommend the 2009 Honda CRV over your 2007 Honda Pilot because the height of your CRV is 66.1 inches high while your Pilot is 71.7 inches high. The lower height of the CRV will provide an easier mounting setup.

With that being said, if you are interested in a roof rack setup for your 2007 Honda Pilot with raided factory rails, I recommend the following parts:

- Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 49" Long - Qty 2 # RRVA126B-2
- Rhino-Rack SX Series Legs for Vortex Aero Crossbars - Raised Factory Side Rails - Qty 4 # RRSX100

As far as the kayak carrier for your 2 kayaks, I recommend the Rhino-Rack 2 Kayak Carrier w/ Tie-Downs - J-Style - Folding - Side Loading # S512-S512X. The Rhino-Rack 2 comes with 4 specially designed tie-down straps secure the watercraft to your roof-rack crossbars as well as 4 tie-down straps anchor the watercraft's bow and stern to your vehicle.

In addition to the kayak carrier, there is also a load-assist option that can help you with lifting the boats on the roof. For this route, I recommend the Rhino-Rack T-Load Hitch Mounted Load Assist and Support Bar for 2" Hitches - 49" Long # RTL002. The load assist has an adjustable height range of 42 - 64 inches that adjusts to the height of your vehicles. I went ahead and attached a video that shows how the load assist makes mounting kayaks easy.

If you need a 2-inch hitch for your vehicles for the load assist, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # 13555 for your 2009 Honda CR-V and the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2" # e98851 for your 2007 Honda Pilot. Both of these hitches come with all hardware necessary for an easy bolt-on installation.