[Kit_C]

Honda Trailer Hitch Install

I received my Honda Hitch from www.hondacuraworld.com (thanks, Tim - great service), and attempted an install this evening.

Initially everything went smoothly. We lowered the spare, jacked up the right rear corner, and maneuvered the hitch into position using some jack stands for support.

Here's a photo of my wife helping out...

 

[Kit_C]

Then we ran into a problem

With all 8 of the large fasteners loosely engaged, we tried to get the four smaller fasters at the center of the bumper started. The ones on the vertical piece behind the bumper were fine, but the slots for the horizontal piece did not line up with the threaded inserts in the frame.

Here's another picture, taken from under the car, looking to the rear and up at the bottom of the hitch. The slot on the right side of the photo (driver side of the car) looks like it needs to be milled out about 1mm.

We loosened everything, and there wasn't enough free play to get this screw started.

 

[Kit_C]

Another shot of the offending fastener

This is looking straight up at the slot, you can see the problem pretty clearly.

 

[Kit_C]

A few more pics

Gotta love a woman who can wrench!

 

[Kit_C]

Here's how we left it

We torqued up all the fasteners except the one so that the car would be driveable. I'm going to let Tim know about my problem and see if he has any ideas, but I have a feeling the hitch is going to have to come off and get returned or modified.

Here's one last pic of the hitch as it looks installed. If anyone had a similar problem, or has suggestions for fixing this, please let me know.


Kit
San Diego, CA

 

[hondacuraplanet]

First I've heard of any difficulties among all of the hitches I've sold, but I'll research it and see what I come up with.

 

[Kit_C]

Thanks, Tim.

 

[hondacuraplanet]

I called American Honda to see if there had been any problems with fitment, and there are none recorded. Before we go through the route of me sending you another hitch, can you take a quick measurement of center-to-center on the hitch holes? I just want to be sure that if there's an issue, that the one I'm sending is better than what you've got. You might want to give me a ring on this one.

 

[Saliv8]

Same hitch as MDX?

Tim, I went to your site and couldn't find a hitch listed under the Pilot. Is this the same hitch in the MDX section? I will be need this accessory soon.

Thanks

 

[airgate]

Re: Same hitch as MDX?

Tim, I went to your site and couldn't find a hitch listed under the Pilot. Is this the same hitch in the MDX section? I will be need this accessory soon.

Thanks

HaHa. . .welcome Saliv8! Great to see you on this board.

I need to order a hitch really soon. DragonBall Run is around the corner!

 

[Kit_C]

Problem Fixed.

I just tapped the hole out from M8 to 5/16" x 18TPI. A 5/16" bolt then went in smoothly. Very easy fix, and it saves me from having to take this beast off.

I updated the knowledge base issue that I opened.


Kit
San Diego, CA

 

[N_Jay]

Ouch!

I would have modified the hitch long before the car, but that is just me.

 

[hondacuraplanet]

Re: Same hitch as MDX?

Tim, I went to your site and couldn't find a hitch listed under the Pilot. Is this the same hitch in the MDX section? I will be need this accessory soon.

Thanks

I'm hoping that everything will be up in the next day or two.....still working out a few things with the new site design.

 

[lcmetcalf]

i have a co-worker who had the towing package installed when he purchased the pilot.. he has not had any issues and has towed his boat numerous times already.. i beleive if you are installing the hitch outside of the dealership, then you could run into warranty issues since the towing package in-details extra cooling hardware to be installed also. by the photos i saw on this posting; it didnt seem as that those items were installed and could be part of the issue with bolts not being in the correct position and such.

 

[Loutog]

Re: Honda Trailer Hitch Install

I received my Honda Hitch from www.hondacuraworld.com (thanks, Tim - great service), and attempted an install this evening.

Initially everything went smoothly. We lowered the spare, jacked up the right rear corner, and maneuvered the hitch into position using some jack stands for support.

Here's a photo of my wife helping out...

Kudos on the well documented ( with pictures that helped!) issue you raised.

I installed the OEM hitch also and had a similar problem, but apparently not as severe as yours.

I eased ALL of the bolts a few turns and went back to work on those "central" few- I finally managed to get the threads started on them and only then, went according to the tightening instructions on the full set.

After that the hitch went in smoothly.

Your solution clearly works, but most would like to avoid drilling out and re tapping.

PS: Loved the strap mount for the light your wife is wearing. I assume that you team on these projects often.

Please explain: Your wife is under the Pilot lugging wrenches while you are wandering around documenting with the camera?? How did you talk her into that? ( Much more valuable than the re-tapping idea)

 

[colorider]

i have a co-worker who had the towing package installed when he purchased the pilot.. he has not had any issues and has towed his boat numerous times already.. i beleive if you are installing the hitch outside of the dealership, then you could run into warranty issues since the towing package in-details extra cooling hardware to be installed also. by the photos i saw on this posting; it didnt seem as that those items were installed and could be part of the issue with bolts not being in the correct position and such.

Sorry, but the fact that the hole in the hitch did not line up with the threaded hole in the Pilot has NOTHING to do with who installs the hitch and if the full towing package is installed.

:25:

 

[HDTVEE]

hitch

I am also thinking of installing the hitch but everything I have read cites warrentee issues and voiding of the warrentee from HOnd aif the coolers are not installed.
If anyone has any info that is "good info" please pass along.
Thanks

 

[florida_guy]

Re: hitch

I am also thinking of installing the hitch but everything I have read cites warrentee issues and voiding of the warrentee from HOnd aif the coolers are not installed.
If anyone has any info that is "good info" please pass along.
Thanks

I called Honda about this last week and was told that the dealer would diagnose the problem and if they determined it was caused by not having the coolers on that "Honda of America would stand by the dealers diagnosis".... which basically means you are at the mercy of the dealer. It's a risk I am planning to take because the coolers are so expensive but...

 

[N_Jay]

Re: hitch

I am also thinking of installing the hitch but everything I have read cites warrentee issues and voiding of the warrentee from HOnd aif the coolers are not installed.
If anyone has any info that is "good info" please pass along.
Thanks

I like the idea of having the coolers on the vehicle even if not towing.
It can't hurt to cool the ATF and PS fluid a bit.

I figure it was worth the 0.1% of the vehicle price! :2: :2:

 

[Loutog]

Re: Re: hitch

I called Honda about this last week and was told that the dealer would diagnose the problem and if they determined it was caused by not having the coolers on that "Honda of America would stand by the dealers diagnosis".... which basically means you are at the mercy of the dealer. It's a risk I am planning to take because the coolers are so expensive but...

The OEM coolers are not very hard to install, and cooling the ATM and PS fluid is a GOOD thing anyway.