Help me deck out a Honda Fit!

[highflyingstache]

Hello!

I'm wondering if someone can point me in the right direction. I've recently made the decision to buy the 2014 Honda Fit. I don't intend for it to slow down my active lifestyle in the mountains, so a roof rack and/or hitch mount are (maybe) required. I'm less than enthused at the price of the Thule rack/bock combos ($1000!!) and figured to get a couple bars across the top (for some big skis mainly, possibly a bunch of extra gear for road trips) wouldn't be all that hard.

Coming down from a V70 wagon means finding different ways to find space in my vehicle. So, short of constantly car-pooling to the mountains (which is not 100% assured) what roof rack/box/ski mount combo could I find, and where? Certainly not new from Thule...

[Laserjet3051]

Hello!

I'm wondering if someone can point me in the right direction. I've recently made the decision to buy the 2014 Honda Fit. I don't intend for it to slow down my active lifestyle in the mountains, so a roof rack and/or hitch mount are (maybe) required. I'm less than enthused at the price of the Thule rack/bock combos ($1000!!) and figured to get a couple bars across the top (for some big skis mainly, possibly a bunch of extra gear for road trips) wouldn't be all that hard.

Coming down from a V70 wagon means finding different ways to find space in my vehicle. So, short of constantly car-pooling to the mountains (which is not 100% assured) what roof rack/box/ski mount combo could I find, and where? Certainly not new from Thule...

I was in exactly the same situation as you when I bought my 2014 Honda Fit, coming from an XJ  (Cherokee) FULLY decked out. Especially to haul my big skis and bikes up to the mountains in deep snow, across gushing creeks etc... But after researching, I didnt like the fragility of the Fit with regard to roof racks (not to mention the cost). I couldnt transfer my yakima roof rack over to the fit either. Not wanting to damage my Fit, I simply stuff everything inside it. Yes the FIT does FIT everything. I can roll with 1 passenger and tons of bikes/skis/gear. But not with 3 or 4. There are a lot of threads on the honda fit forum about hitches, but if I remember correctly, the manufacturer (for US Fits) indicates this is not recommended and attaching one could void warrantees. But folks have done it. YMMV.

Still have my jeep, so in a pinch, i can load eveeryone and everything in it. Just hate the 17 mpg versus 40+ mpg in the fit (highway).

[big_slacker]

The fit is pretty roomy inside indeed, with seats folded you can put a mountain bike in there with the front wheel off no prob. I would not be enthused about taking one up to the mountain to go ski/board though. Unless you live in the snow and can run dedicated snow tires for winter it means you're going to have to deal with chains. And even occasionally that's a real PITA.

This being the forum it is someone will be along shortly to say that I'm wrong, the fit is a great adventuremobile and they tow their boat with it, ran the rubicon with minor mods and so on. I can just say being from a mountain town and now living in semi-rural and driving to the mountains 3x times a week for biking, hiking, boarding, etc. that you'd be way better off trading that fit for a subie.

[highflyingstache]

Thanks.

Had a Subaru, had a Volvo, even had VW. Had the price tags associated as well.
I'll take the advice to fit the fit, and see if my big powder boards will actually do it. Always the carpooling option with friends who have bigger vehicles as well, good to know about the hitch/roof rack issues, any more input appreciated of course.

[PDXTabs]

I don't currently own a Fit, but I've spent a bunch of time in one, and the next time I need a car I might get one. Is there something I am missing? Rack Attach says that the Yakima Q-Clip towers fit the fit:
https://www.rackattack.com/fit/honda/fit-fit-sport/2014/

That's what I would do, since I already have most of the equipment. Plus there is plenty on the used market.

[soccerluvof4]

How much head room is in a Honda Fit. I'm 6'3 and find that to be a big problem with smaller cars.

[the_fixer]

I went with installing permanent mounted track on the roof of our car (not a Fit) since we did not have a factory mounting spot just a bare roof.

Like this one but purchased from rackattack
https://www.yakima.com/60-tracks-w-capnut-hardware

Problem I have heard with the ones that clamp on is that they can dent the roof or come off and we transport kayaks on our roof so I wanted a more permanent mount.

For the other accessories I purchased most of them for really cheap on Craigslist.



Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk