Honda Element question

**divingbiker** · 08-01-2007, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by sundial

I just added a U Haul trailer hitch and bought a Thule bike rack.

May I ask how much you paid to have a hitch installed at U Haul? I've been eyeing this Thule rack ever since Regina hauled our MTBs a few weeks ago, but I'm having trouble justifying the cost of installing a hitch on an 8 year old car. Thanks!

**IFjane** · 08-01-2007, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by sundial

IFjane, how do you like your Element? I have a 4WD and it used to average about 24 mpg until I added a Thule M.O.A.B. on the roof and now it averages maybe 21 mpg.

Glad you got an E. I have really appreciated the cargo space to haul the bikes around. I just added a U Haul trailer hitch and bought a Thule bike rack. Can't wait to see a pic of your bike and E.

Congratulations on your new car!

sundial - I LOVE IT!!! I first took it on a test drive last Friday. I walked back into the dealership & without saying a word, the owner looked at me & said, "I know - you're in love."

And I was....and am.

So far I haven't had to put gas in it - BIG plus 'cause I would have had to fill my truck tank by now. SO and I went on the group ride yesterday & hadn't had time to figure out how we wanted to put the bikes in, so I flipped up one of the seats & both bikes slid in just perfect! (Have I said I love it?

)

**sundial** · 08-01-2007, 11:45 AM

IFJane, I hang both seats up and put both bikes in and turn both wheels in so that it doesn't roll. We have a cyclist friend that joins us for rides and we bought the 4 bike rack so that we can haul other bicycles around to the destinations.

The E is really cyclist friendly.

**sundial** · 08-01-2007, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by divingbiker

May I ask how much you paid to have a hitch installed at U Haul? I've been eyeing this Thule rack ever since Regina hauled our MTBs a few weeks ago, but I'm having trouble justifying the cost of installing a hitch on an 8 year old car. Thanks!

Divingbiker, I paid $259.42 for a Class II hitch and it comes with a lifetime warranty. Also, should you trade your vehicle in, U Haul will mount the hitch free of charge. Installing just the hitch does not take long, but if you have it wired for a trailer, it will take them about 3 1/2 hours or so.

Usually it takes 45--90 minutes to install the hitch.

I have found that it is really handy to have this hitch and we put one on every vehicle except for the sedans.

The Honda dealer actually encouraged me to get a U Haul hitch over the Honda hitch because U Haul had a better design.

I really like the Thule rack and it's so much easier to load the bikes this way.

**divingbiker** · 08-01-2007, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by sundial

Divingbiker, I paid $259.42 for a Class II hitch and it comes with a lifetime warranty. Also, should you trade your vehicle in, U Haul will mount the hitch free of charge. Installing just the hitch does not take long, but if you have it wired for a trailer, it will take them about 3 1/2 hours or so.

Usually it takes 45--90 minutes to install the hitch.

I have found that it is really handy to have this hitch and we put one on every vehicle except for the sedans.

The Honda dealer actually encouraged me to get a U Haul hitch over the Honda hitch because U Haul had a better design.

I really like the Thule rack and it's so much easier to load the bikes this way.

Hmmm...I might have to do this. Thanks for the info!

**sundial** · 08-01-2007, 01:08 PM

Once you have a hitch, you'll wonder why you didn't have one earlier.

**Tuckervill** · 08-01-2007, 07:29 PM

Installing the Honda hitch requires removing the rear seats!

I usually use etrailer.com and my hubby puts them on--then I don't have to pay for installation.

As long as there is no drilling involved, he doesn't mind doing it.

Karen

**sundial** · 08-03-2007, 01:45 PM

I don't think U Haul had to work around the seats to mount the hitch--unless you need it wired for the harness (lights for trailer).

I went to Handa Accessories and printed out the step by step guide to installing a trailer hitch just in case the mechanic didn't know where the prewired stuff was.

www.handa-accessories.com

**Tuckervill** · 08-03-2007, 04:30 PM

Yeah, it's the hitch made by Honda that requires removal of the rear seats. The ones I've looked on etrailer don't.

It's something I should take care of soon.

Karen

**TexanCzexican** · 08-08-2007, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by jeannierides

GO Honda!

I've also checked into the CRV, but the airbags don't seem to be an option! What??

Anyway, all I've done so far is to check online. I haven't had the courage to go to a car dealership yet!

I think airbags aren't an option for the CRV because they come standard with the vehicle. I have an 04 CRV and it has front & side air bags. And he is paid off in less than a year (YIPEE). The bikes fit well in it, too.

**jeannierides** · 08-08-2007, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by TexanCzexican

I think airbags aren't an option for the CRV because they come standard with the vehicle. I have an 04 CRV and it has front & side air bags. And he is paid off in less than a year (YIPEE). The bikes fit well in it, too.

Isn't there a difference between the side airbags and the side curtain airbags that are standard on the Element? Maybe I'm just confused.

Ok, my bad. I just checked and the new CRV does come standard with the side curtain airbags.

**IFjane** · 08-08-2007, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by jeannierides

Maybe I'm just confused.

No comment!

Jeannie - just go out and buy and Element - you won't be disappointed. And your as-yet-unnamed pink & green bike will love it, too.

**Starfish** · 08-08-2007, 08:28 AM

While we're on Elements...another question.

Do any of you feel that the limited clearance keeps you from roads you would otherwise like to travel...like you might if you had a higher-clearance truck?

Anyone out there go from camping and tame off-roading in a pickup with canopy, to the Element? Comments?

I think I really want an Element for all that if offers...hauling the bike in the back, sleeping inside with access to ignition, etc, and better security.

But, I worry a little about wanting to go on roads that are a little more rutted or rough...not wild...just tame off-roading toward better a little more remote campsites, etc.

**Tuckervill** · 08-08-2007, 10:42 AM

I took mine on the Buffalo National River on the gravel bank (deep, always shifting, hard to walk on gravel). The AWD kicked in nicely and did its job.

I even pulled my husband's F150 out of the gravel. I told him not to drive down there without 4WD!

Overall I'm very pleased with its performance, and I wouldn't hesitate to drive down almost any road. But, do understand that I live in a place where I have a choice whether to drive down a road or not. I don't have to worry about deep snow ruts or anything like that.

Karen

**jeannierides** · 08-08-2007, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by IFjane

No comment!

Jeannie - just go out and buy and Element - you won't be disappointed. And your as-yet-unnamed pink & green bike will love it, too.

HaHa Jane!! That really is the plan, but I have to wait til I'm back at work.

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