Recommend the best roof rack accessories for a Honda Passport TrailSport.

Question

Hey everyone! I recently picked up a new Honda Passport TrailSport, and I’m absolutely loving the rugged vibe and those beefy tires. I’m planning to take it out on some light trails and camping trips this summer, so I really want to maximize the utility of the roof. It came with the factory roof rails, but now I’m stuck trying to figure out which accessories are actually worth the investment.

I’m torn between going with a heavy-duty cargo basket for that authentic "overland" look or sticking with a sleek hardshell box to keep my gear dry during rainy Pacific Northwest hauls. I'm also planning on bringing a couple of mountain bikes along, so I'm curious if anyone has managed to fit a slim bike rack alongside a small cargo carrier on the factory crossbars without exceeding the 165-lb weight limit. I’m a bit worried about excessive wind noise on the highway and how much certain setups might tank my MPG.

Since the TrailSport has more of an outdoorsy personality than the standard trims, I’d love to find gear that matches that aesthetic while being durable enough for bumpy forest roads. Does anyone have a specific setup they swear by for their Passport? What are your must-have roof rack add-ons for a solid balance of style and utility?

zvogpksnmh · Accepted Answer

TL;DR from this thread: baskets look sick for that TrailSport overland vibe, but they're basically wind sails that'll kill ur MPG and drive u crazy with the whistling. Since you're in the PNW, honestly a box is way more practical for keepin things dry.

So basically the consensus is that while the box mentioned earlier works, it's kinda small. If you're on a budget but want way more room, check out the JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier 18 Cubic Feet. It's usually around $220 and way better value than some of the $800 Thule setups.

To fit bikes AND a carrier on the factory bars (which are like 30 inches wide iirc?), you gotta go skinny. A standard box won't leave room for two bikes. You might want to consider a skinny basket like the Kuat Vagabond X Cargo Basket with Integrated Bike Mounts. It’s a bit pricier—maybe $500—but it has those built-in fork mounts which saves tons of space.

Just be CAREFUL with that 165-lb limit. The rack itself usually weighs 25-40 lbs, so you really only have like 125 lbs left for actual gear. Two mountain bikes are probably 60-70 lbs total... so you're left with barely 50 lbs for the box and luggage. NGL, it gets heavy FAST! If you want a cheaper basket than the one mentioned in the first reply, the Haul-Master 150 lb. Capacity Universal Roof Cargo Carrier is like $90 at Harbor Freight, but it'll definitely need a fairing to stop the noise. Personally, I would suggest a hitch rack for the bikes if you want to keep the roof for a big cargo box. Just my two cents tho. gl! 👍

gfiwsdzzon · Answer

In my experience, i had issues with wind noise from my MaxxHaul 70115 Steel Roof Rack Cargo Basket. basically it tanked my MPG... unfortunately not as good as expected.

- Basket: $95, 150lb capacity, but loud.
- Box: Thule Sidekick Roof Box (8 cu ft) keeps gear dry but it's like $600.

Best choice is a used box honestly. It fits a RockyMounts TieRod Bike Rack side-by-side if you stay under that 165lb limit! gl!

dvieyqekro · Answer

1. +1 to what was said earlier! 2. Try Yakima SkyBox Lo Carbonite 15 Cubic Feet. In my experience, low-profile gear is way safer for that 165lb limit on bumpy trails. gl!