A few ?'s for Honda Pilot Owners - car top carrier ?

[dismom2-3]

We are planning a 2000 mi + road trip to Disney, and would like some help if you don't mind. We have 3 children, and would like to use the third row for space and sanity on our 18 hour trip.

Question #1- Has anyone used a soft, bag type car carrier? How big and did you have it fit exactly between the racks, or did it rest on top of them? I am looking online and the length and width dimensions seem to be too big for our rack system. Not sure what to buy. If you have recommendations as to a particular brand that fit well, I will gladly look at them.

Question #2- had anyone used a cable type connection to the aux function on the DvD system, specifically for an ipod or mp3? I feel like when the kids hook up a plug and play video game, the sound quallity isn't that great. I was just curious if it may be the game, and if it was worth the shot of purchasing the cable. Our FM modulator doesnt seem to be that great either. Our car was purchased before the direct jack hook-up, so as far as I know these are our only options. (2004) We have an older mp3 that has our entire cd collection on it, as well as playlists, and a video ipod nano (16g)

Thanks for your thoughts in advance!

 

[dantedisney]

I can't answer your 1st question but will try to answer your 2nd one.

We have an 2005 MDX and have used the AUX input from the 3rd row to plugin our iPod (using a very long cable). It works very well and it sounds great.

We will be driving from MA to FL in July. Good luck!

 

[dismom2-3]

Thanks, I just needed one person to tell me that it was worth a try. This will make our life very easy. I hope you have a great trip, Good luck to you too!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Just a hint for the car-top carrier. If you end up with a more permanent basket-type roof rack (which I know they make for the Pilot), it may be easier to load and unload each night enroute to WDW if you place individual duffles up there and cover them with net made especially for that purpose rather than a giant soft carrier. Either way, count on the trip being noisier than driving with no rack at all.

 

[zeroed]

Soft bags will leak and your luggage may get soaked. A journey as long as yours will likely contain rain at some point. Quality hard cases are sealed, lockable and aerodynamic to help with mileage and noise. Some trusted brands are Thule and Yakima. Either brand should fit securely on a Pilot assuming your rack already has crossbars.

I've also been researching this because of a Disney trip and will be ordering a Thule. Amazon seems to have the best prices.