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Honda Odyssey Towing/Trailer Hitch Questions

92 messages,  Last post on Sep 23, 2009 at 7:24 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Odyssey, Towing, Van

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#63 of 92 Re: Towing limits and warranty [aikidriver] by Shawkins22 Mar 06, 2009 (7:45 pm)
Replying to: aikidriver (Mar 06, 2009 6:36 pm) I have an aftermarket wiring harness on my 2009 Odyssey. The $125 for the Honda unit is a bit absurd. If your trailer has the 4-pin flat connector, then this is the wiring harness I recommend: http://www.etrailer.com/pc-VWH~118438.htm   It has a Honda interface and installs much the same way as the Honda unit does, only its $40. Honda should have no issue with it.
#64 of 92 Re: Hitch, Tranny cooler etc. [carguy74] by bdmoore Mar 13, 2009 (11:08 pm)
Replying to: carguy74 (Mar 12, 2008 8:18 pm) We have '08 Odyssey, paid the dealer for the trailer pkg to keep the warranty valid, but they only provide a flat four-pin connector. We hope to tow a pop-up camping trailer, & most come with electric brakes & a round 6-pin connector. Anybody have any do's or don'ts about which make & model of brake controller to buy & install? Replies to this message: Shawkins22 (Mar 14, 2009 4:35 am) berniken (Mar 14, 2009 12:07 pm)
#65 of 92 Re: Hitch, Tranny cooler etc. [bdmoore] by Shawkins22 Mar 14, 2009 (4:35 am)
Replying to: bdmoore (Mar 13, 2009 11:08 pm) I went with the wiring harness I linked to above from etrailers.com, along with this 4-pin to 7-pin adpater http://www.etrailer.com/p-ETBC7.htm?search=1   It is a nice kit with everything you'll need. Also recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller.
#66 of 92 Re: Hitch, Tranny cooler etc. [bdmoore] by berniken Mar 14, 2009 (12:07 pm)
Replying to: bdmoore (Mar 13, 2009 11:08 pm) I did my 07 last year. Re the harness, I agree with Shawkins (March 6). I also bought the same harness same price on line, instructions were good, kit complete. Note you need to add a fuse in the panel inside passenger front door, but this is explained. You need to add a fused power supply from your battery (install an in-line fuse next to battery) thru the firewall (find a grommet for other stuff and pierce in the edge) into the drivers side. This goes to controller. Also need to splice into the switched side of the brake switch above the pedal (tells the controller that you are braking). Then run a 12 ga wire from controller to rear compartment. You can stuff it under the plastic trim easily. It comes out beside the spare. Finish your connections with a 6 or 7 prong connector with a long pigtail and flip it out under the tailgate when needed. My research said Prodigy was the best controller - not the cheapest. But this is no place to be cheap. Mine is just great with 3000 lb 14' box Fleetwood Pop-up. Good luck!
#67 of 92 Which hitch is the most concealed by triathlonj Apr 03, 2009 (10:43 pm)
Hi. We just purchased our 2009 Odyssey EX-L 2 days ago. I want to put a 2" receiver hitch on the car. I'm not towing anything with the car - the hitch is just for my Yakima hitch-mount 4-bike rack. Of the hitches out there (OEM, U-Haul, Hidden Hitch, Curt, etc) which one of them is the least conspicuous?   I find myself laughing when I see cars with the "Hidden HItch" brand name, and the cross-tube and hitch are hanging well below the bumper in plane site, with the "Hidden Hitch" decal in full and plain view.   Do any of the hitches sit tight to the bottom of the car, and have their cross tube somewhat concealed behind the bumper?   Thanks! Replies to this message: berniken (Apr 04, 2009 5:23 am) gmod (Apr 28, 2009 6:21 pm)
#68 of 92 Re: Which hitch is the most concealed [triathlonj] by berniken Apr 04, 2009 (5:23 am)
Replying to: triathlonj (Apr 03, 2009 10:43 pm) Least visible was my goal also, but price & availability was a problem. I compromised based of price and fit. Hidden Hitch had better sightline, but did not fit in spite of mfr claim.  From my June 08 blog: I used "Putnam class III hitch (for 2"X2" drawbar), part # 25238. No need to remove anything except the rearmost exhaust pipe hangar temporarily. No drilling except that the holes did not line up exactly, requiring a half hour of round file use to open up a couple. (I had tried a Hidden Hitch first, but its hole alignment was worse.) I read the Honda brand hitch instructions on-line, and it requires bumper removal as it fits up a bit higher and interferes with the bumber, requiring the trim. With 300# tongue weight and an equalizing hitch, I have had no particular problem with the hitch touching down in driveways. You will find more variety of specialty drawbar attachments for bike racks etc if you go to the class III. The six metric bolts come with the hitch. If not with yours, be sure to confirm the bolt is 12 mm. Installation (after filing) is only 15 minutes. Use a torque wrench for sure! " Horizontal tube is round pipe - not bad. Fit is closer to bumper than some. Bumper removal is not reqd - just drop the tailpipe hangar and install that end first. ! Before you order - Make sure Honda did not change bolt pattern again ! A comparison of hitch part numbers from 2 or 3 vendors for the 2007 and 2009 should confirm.
#69 of 92 hitch by jcalderon Apr 27, 2009 (9:16 pm)
I bought a 2007 Honda Odyssey exl without the hitch (stupid mistake). Now My boys are old enough to ride their bicycles and I am considering putting a hitch on the vehicle. If I am going to put the hitch, I also want to get a hitch that is capable of towing a trailer (for the future). Any recommandations on whether I should have the hitch installed by the dealer or a private company? Replies to this message: berniken (Apr 28, 2009 7:42 am)
#70 of 92 Re: hitch [jcalderon] by berniken Apr 28, 2009 (7:42 am)
Replying to: jcalderon (Apr 27, 2009 9:16 pm) See my several posting on the subject over the past year or so. Dealer may try to arm-twist you to add tranny cooler and PS fluid cooled, neither needed for light loads. Tranny cooler a good idea for long hauls with heavy trailer (say over 1000 lb), and can be added later when you need it. Definitely go for the Class 3 with 2-inch square drawbar - provides most options for bike racks and trailers. With rack you do not need the lighting harness. Shop around. Don't install your self unless you are prepared to fiddle with bolt holes that do not line up just right.
#71 of 92 Re: Which hitch is the most concealed [triathlonj] by gmod Apr 28, 2009 (6:21 pm)
Replying to: triathlonj (Apr 03, 2009 10:43 pm) Have the OEM hitch installed if you want the most concealed hitch. I have a 2008 that the dealer installed the OEM hitch on. While they do have to notch the bottom of the bumper cover, it raises the hitch almost 2 above the best aftermarket ones. It look so much better that any of the other hitches on Odysseys I've seen. I'm sure it's not the most inexpensive route to take, but the dealer "threw" it in as an incentive to purchase our vehicle (along with the rest of the towing package that you don't appear to need). My only complaint is not with the hitch, but the soft brakes. I can't stop with my boat, even after just having the VCM modulator replaced per the new TSB (#07-045).
#72 of 92 Air bags for 99 Odessy by rmando Apr 28, 2009 (8:40 pm)
I have a 99 Odessy which I am using to tow a jayco pop up trailer. The problem is that this drops the vehicle so low that I scrape pulling in or out of my driveway. I also have a bike rack the trailer dealer suggested which goes between the trailer and tow vehicle. This drops the hitch to within inches of the road. Does anyone have any idea how a pair of airbags would work out and how much I should expect to pay?

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