[r1lee]

I saw the installation instructions and it looks fairly straight forward. Has anyone done this install themselves, how long did it take, was it hard and did you require another person for assistance?


Thanks
Tom

 

[Wanderer]

Yes. It's not hard when the vehicle is new and there is no corrosion of the weld nuts in the frame. Maybe half an hour with help. More without help.

Having another pair of hands is helpful when you are first getting it started, but you could probably fake it with a jack or support. It probably doesn't weigh more than 30-40 pounds or so, but it is a bit unwieldy.

Take your time and get all the bolts started by hand before you grab the wrench. You don't want to cross-thread the bolts. To get the appropriate torque, you should probably have a torque wrench or breaker bar. You don't want those bolts coming loose.

The 2016 trailer wiring harness is another matter. Unless you're willing to pull off the entire driver's side rear trim panel, it's pretty frustrating to get the various parts placed and find their attachment points. I was on a tight schedule for a trip so I did it, but I wouldn't do it again.

See the "Towing" sub-forum for more info.

 

[r1lee]

Yes. It's not hard when the vehicle is new and there is no corrosion of the weld nuts in the frame. Maybe half an hour with help. More without help.

Having another pair of hands is helpful when you are first getting it started, but you could probably fake it with a jack or support. It probably doesn't weigh more than 30-40 pounds or so, but it is a bit unwieldy.

Take your time and get all the bolts started by hand before you grab the wrench. You don't want to cross-thread the bolts. To get the appropriate torque, you should probably have a torque wrench or breaker bar. You don't want those bolts coming loose.

The 2016 trailer wiring harness is another matter. Unless you're willing to pull off the entire driver's side rear trim panel, it's pretty frustrating to get the various parts placed and find their attachment points. I was on a tight schedule for a trip so I did it, but I wouldn't do it again.

See the "Towing" sub-forum for more info.

Thanks, yeah I don't think I'll be towing anything but a bike rack.

 

[Trihonda]

I'm with you on towing the bike rack, but if you're getting the hitch installed, you may as well have the option to tow stuff... Requires the harness...

I just ordered a 16 Elite, and it is two weeks out. I also just ordered a bunch of accessories online. My deal on the veh included accessories at their cost, lol. But ordering online was about $350 cheaper, and my dealership will still install them at their shop rate.

I Ordered the hitch, harness. All weather mats, wheel locks and splash guards, crossbars, and the kayak attachment.. I'll install all but the hitch harness... Leaving that to the experts. It'll cost me around $150 according to my buddy who works at our Honda service center.

On a side note, the kayak attachment is actually a Thule 883, and sells on Amazon for $220 (cheapest I could find). Honda dealerships online had it as low as $140. Ha, no brainer.

 

[Dsgrntl99]

Theres a recall on the hitch or harness I forget which one so be careful

 

[stempy]

The harness part# was changed from 08L91-tg7-100 to 08L91-tg7-101, so make sure you get the latter.

 

[2016inNY]

A little bit of info that might help people. The trailer hitch is the same as the Acura MDX and on amazon you could probably find a CURT for about $150.00 its the same exact part Number

 

[saejin]

I installed mine and it was pretty easy even on my own. I used jack stands to support and raise the hitch until it got to the right height so I could hand thread the bolts. You do have to lower and remove the spare tire first which was easy as well.

I haven't installed the harness because one I don't plan to tow anything yet...still saving for the boat...and there's a recall going on I guess.

Go for it and good luck.

 

[Trihonda]

The harness part# was changed from 08L91-tg7-100 to 08L91-tg7-101, so make sure you get the latter.

Yikes, I JUST emailed the retailer (as I noticed my part number on my invoice lists the older one). I hope they can make this right, and don't simply try to offer a refund for the part... Then I'll have to try to find it elsewhere (and pay shipping at a separate retailer).

 

[Wanderer]

The harness part# was changed from 08L91-tg7-100 to 08L91-tg7-101, so make sure you get the latter.

My wiring harness is working fine for 4-flat ( Yakima trailer for kayaks ). No blown fuses or other problems, but I'm concerned about the recall. I just dug up my invoice and it's the "retired" part number.

Any details on the defect?

BTW, Honda suggests installing hitch and wiring harness together, because it is easier to mount the bulky 7-way receptacle before you get the hitch raised. The installation instructions even say to drop the hitch if it's already installed. But I did it the other way on a first-gen MDX years ago ( with similar wiring harness ), so it is possible.

 

[stempy]

Any details on the defect?

Someone on this forum said that their running and clearance lights were affected. I believe a dealer installed the old part # and it blew a fuse. What the whole story is I don't know but there is a new #ered part for the harness. I had the dealer install my hitch and harness w/the new 101 wiring and it is good so far. I also ordered the trans cooler but the part didn't arrive yet.

 

[Manguman]

I got my hitch receiver for free installed because I questioned why the pilot I was buying didn't have it.

But anyways. Curts has a hitch receiver for the 2016 pilot for cheap. $165 on ebay . I think I saw it on etrailers. Com for the same price.. http://www.piloteers.org/forums/13-accessories/82385-3rd-party-accessories-2016-pilot-list.html#post862698


On the install. I did it myself on the previous vehicle I had. Pretty easy. It helps to have someone to help you hold it in place, it makes it easier to put the screws in place.

 

[Manguman]

A little bit of info that might help people. The trailer hitch is the same as the Acura MDX and on amazon you could probably find a CURT for about $150.00 its the same exact part Number

Yes indeed.

I posted the curt trailer hitch for 2016 pilot. Here http://www.piloteers.org/forums/13-accessories/82385-3rd-party-accessories-2016-pilot-list.html#post862698

 

[Trihonda]

My wiring harness is working fine for 4-flat ( Yakima trailer for kayaks ). No blown fuses or other problems, but I'm concerned about the recall. I just dug up my invoice and it's the "retired" part number.

Any details on the defect?

BTW, Honda suggests installing hitch and wiring harness together, because it is easier to mount the bulky 7-way receptacle before you get the hitch raised. The installation instructions even say to drop the hitch if it's already installed. But I did it the other way on a first-gen MDX years ago ( with similar wiring harness ), so it is possible.

I've ordered the part online, and am having my buddy at the Grand Canyon Dr Service center install it. Said it'd be about $150 for both hitch and harness... And he said it was ok to install a factory part (even if Zimbrick didn't provide it). However, I can't ask them to install a recalled part...

So is this part "recalled" or "retired"? I'd like more info on this, as it'll be pertinent to my conversations with the online retailer that I'm buying it from. Can someone point to where they read about this?

 

[rsconsulting]

I've ordered the part online, and am having my buddy at the Grand Canyon Dr Service center install it. Said it'd be about $150 for both hitch and harness... And he said it was ok to install a factory part (even if Zimbrick didn't provide it). However, I can't ask them to install a recalled part...

So is this part "recalled" or "retired"? I'd like more info on this, as it'll be pertinent to my conversations with the online retailer that I'm buying it from. Can someone point to where they read about this?

Recalled and superseded.

Dealers were asked to ship back the ones they had on the shelves, and inform customers who had them installed - that "new/replacement ones were on the way".

I had my CS Rep expedite one of these for me - arrived thursday, but they won't let me do the (warranty) work myself - even though I offered to just sign off on the service ticket. Shop foreman seems to get a little nervous whenever I pull onto the lot.

I did a quick visual install of the new part - didn't notice any "material differences".

One thing I did notice on the original is that the "fuse holder" looks like it was made to have a cover, yet doesn't come with one. I thought the original one got "spaced" when it was installed, but I broke the seal on the new one, and that one didn't have a cover either.

I had to wait until Monday, to get an appointment for one of the (two) techs I ACTUALLY TRUST at the dealership - to do the swap.

Rick

 

[r1lee]

So these 3rd party hitches, do they come with their own trailer hitch cover? Would consider them especially if I can save another $100 vs the oem.


Part 5 on page 4.

Honda epart

 

[Wanderer]

Is labor for "warranty" replacement of recalled accessory covered? The accessories themselves have a 1 year warranty against defects, but labor isn't usually covered unless it was installed by a dealer. Not sure what happens with a recall/campaign as opposed to a simple failure. Guess I'll find out. It would be a shame to have the vehicle burst into flame because of a bad wiring harness.

 

[Wanderer]

"So these 3rd party hitches, do they come with their own trailer hitch cover? Would consider them especially if I can save another $100 vs the oem."

A picture is worth...

OEM hitch comes with a replacement lower bumper shroud, so the hitch receiver and 7-way receptacle are nicely integrated with the bumper. Aftermarket hitches will drop down below the stock bumper shroud, so the hitch receiver and drawbar will be several inches lower.

Aftermarket hitches may not be compatible with full-size spare or spare may ride lower on aftermarket hitch, which may impact ground clearance and departure angle.

 

[saejin]

I'd go OEM hitch. It's a pretty beefy hitch and well made, plus powder coated. Like the above posts it also comes with a new bumper panel that makes it integrate well with the bumper. I'm pretty sure you can't get that from an aftermarket hitch.

 

[jhofwa]

Great input - thanks. Does anyone know if the hitch will allow the use of a full size spare tire (rather than the donut spare that they come with)? Prepping for a drive to Alaska and don't feel I can depend on the donut spare on those roads until a flat can be fixed or replaced.
Thanks in advance for any insight you may have.
Jim