Author Topic: How would you make my car more usable?  (Read 2125 times)

Satisfied_Ghost

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 3
How would you make my car more usable?
« on: May 21, 2018, 09:35:38 AM »
Hello everyone. I'd love some advice on what to do with my car to make it more usable for my family's needs. It's a 2013 Acura RDX with 90k miles on it. Obviously I'd love to keep it for a long time, but I got it before I had two kids and a dog. Now I can't bring much stuff with me for camping or even just small trips. Clearly it wasn't a great car choice. :)
I looked into adding rails to it (doesn't have any now) and they want $1k! Doing it yourself sounds like a pretty risky option (body work) and not something I could do easily. Are there any hacks around this? Or good providers?
I'm thinking adding a trailer hitch and a box is likely the best solution. Any recommendations on types, who to do it, etc? Thanks for any help and advice.

the_fixer

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1252
  • Location: Colorado
  • mind on my money money on my mind
Re: How would you make my car more usable?
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2018, 10:37:14 AM »
What about a small trailer like the cheap ones from Harbor Frieght? My sister has a car and uses one to tow her kids go cart to races.

http://blog.harborfreight.com/harbor-freight-kayak-canoe-trailers/

Or you could go with one of the trays that mounts to a receiver.

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitch_Cargo_Carrier-sf-Flat_Carrier.aspx

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
« Last Edit: May 21, 2018, 10:41:42 AM by the_fixer »

Cromacster

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1695
  • Location: Minnesnowta
Re: How would you make my car more usable?
« Reply #2 on: May 21, 2018, 10:40:10 AM »
I'm guessing with pretty much any option you are probably looking at 1k for the parts and required storage accessories.  If you are asking the dealer about installing the OE roof rack, that's why it's 1k.

For the official MMM take see :Turning a Little Car into a Big One

Hitch box is probably the easiest, but depending on how the RDX is setup DIY can be challenging if you need to drill into the frame, but not impossible.

There are plenty of aftermarket roof racks that don't require any bodywork.  Yakima, Rhino Rack, Thule are the ones that come to mind.

~Side grumble:  An SUV that doesn't come with a hitch should just be called a PBV (Pointless Big Vehicle) there is nothing utility about it.

sokoloff

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1191
Re: How would you make my car more usable?
« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2018, 10:56:59 AM »
Wow, the OE roof rack parts are surprisingly expensive! Even the aftermarket ones seem pricey.

On the trailer hitch, I installed a Curt on our Honda CR-V and it was well-made, installed easily (maybe 90 minutes, maybe), and has been excellent.

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-13130-Class-Trailer-Hitch/dp/B009PHUCG6 ($114 - $15 at checkout) (I would not consider the "imperfect" one from Amazon warehouse deals for way less, as it does require some specialty hardware that you may need to chase with Curt...)

We've used it to tow a (small) trailer a few times. The CR-V is short wheelbase and light, so you can't go too crazy. Check into what the RDX can tow and be aware that your stopping distances will be a lot longer...
« Last Edit: May 21, 2018, 10:58:54 AM by sokoloff »

Lady SA

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 556
  • Age: 32
  • Location: Midwest
Re: How would you make my car more usable?
« Reply #4 on: May 21, 2018, 11:20:57 AM »
clip on (or screw on if you are ok with permanent) yakima/thule car racks plus a car box? Ours are clip-on (it hooks into the door jams), so they are completely removable. We have a car box attachment and a bike rack attachment for the racks. The racks and box were ~$650-700, so much better than your quote. My parents have used the permanent racks for years, and they just always installed it themselves (approximated the rack placement pretty well and then went at it with a drill, no issues)

we have a tiny car (chevy prism) and we use the clip-on rack + box setup to go camping with LOTS of gear, plus skiing/snowboarding/biking/canoeing/other activities with gear that wont fit in the car itself. Essentially, add additional, external storage and you should be good to go.
« Last Edit: May 21, 2018, 11:27:30 AM by Lady SA »

Satisfied_Ghost

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: How would you make my car more usable?
« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2018, 11:40:16 AM »
You all are the best! I should have asked here a long time ago. I'm not sure why I thought I needed roof rails to have a rack. I had a jetta before with a rack... Ridiculous on my part.

I just called etrailer and they suggested this system for $350: https://www.etrailer.com/partlist.aspx?ref=142918VY

What do you all think?

Should work fine and can be taken off and on for better gas mileage. We already have a cargo box which is really all the space we need and I won't have to buy anything else. I also like the idea of the box behind and trailer hitch for longer drives.

Thanks so much for your help to everyone.

Lady SA

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 556
  • Age: 32
  • Location: Midwest
Re: How would you make my car more usable?
« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2018, 11:46:44 AM »
That is pretty much my exact setup, which we like a lot! No complaints, so I think you will be happy with that. Also, awesome that you already have the box!

Satisfied_Ghost

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: How would you make my car more usable?
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2018, 01:35:59 PM »
Great to hear you like it. Yeah I think $350 is reasonable. Can't believe I've waited this long to do this! Thanks for your input.

acroy

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1697
  • Age: 46
  • Location: Dallas TX
    • SWAMI
Re: How would you make my car more usable?
« Reply #8 on: May 21, 2018, 02:50:17 PM »
Sell it and buy a minivan.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!