[Hotboy]

I don't believe that my 2014 EX-L has ever towed anything, even though it has the factory setup.

What do I need to tow something? I might want to tow a rental log splitter a short distance from the equipment company to my house, or maybe a utility trailer for trash, or maybe a small UHaul trailer if we move across the country.

 

[bradster]

Wire harness for trailer wiring. Honda 08L91-SZA-100A Trailer Hitch Harness

 

[sparkydave]

What bradster said. It's not too hard to install. The instructions say to take the back seat out to get the interior panel off, but it's not necessary if you have skinny arms.

Practice backing up. Lots of practice.

 

[Hotboy]

Thanks guys, but what does the trailer hang on? All I see at the back of the Pilot is a hole.

Practice backing up. Lots of practice.

Been there, done that. As a teen, I backed up my dad's 1975 Tuna Boat station wagon and utility trailer dozens of times while going to the dump....I got mad skillz already.

 

[Wickit]

The square hole you are looking at is typically called the receiver. A ball mount is inserted into the receiver and secured with a 5/8" pin and cotter key. Your receiver is 2" so you need a ball mount that size. The size of the ball matters too - you need to match with whatever you are pulling. You could poke around etrailer for a bit to learn more. Trailer Hitch Ball Mounts (etrailer.com)

 

[Hotboy]

You could poke around etrailer for a bit to learn more. Trailer Hitch Ball Mounts (etrailer.com)

Thanks, but it looks like eTrailer doesn't carry a ball mount for a 2014. What about this set of parts?

• Ball mount: 2012-2015 Honda Pilot Mount Hitch Ball 08L92-SZA-100A2 | BKHonda
• Ball: 2006-2023 Honda Hitch Ball, 2" 08L92-S9V-100H | BKHonda
• Wiring harness: Honda Pilot Hitch Harness | 08L91-SZA-100A | BK Honda OEM Parts | BKHonda

 

[Wickit]

You can get a ball mount almost anywhere. Walmart, any parts store, etc. Hitch balls can be removed from ball mounts, and you need to be sure you have the correct ball size for the trailer. A small utility trailer or U-Haul trailer requires a 2" ball, but the log splitter might be smaller (1 7/8"). There is also a 2 5/16" size and 3". Also, the ball mount accounts for the height of the trailer compared to the vehicle receiver. On my Pilot, the receiver and trailer match up really well but other items do not. There is some good info about selecting the correct rise/drop in the ball mount here How to Measure Hitch Drop & Select a Ball Mount (curtmfg.com)

That seems like a lot of money for the wiring harness. Aftermarket options are fine, I would choose a big name.

U Haul could do all of this for you as well - setting you up for towing their trailers and providing equipment for other applications.

 

[Hotboy]

There is some good info about selecting the correct rise/drop in the ball mount here How to Measure Hitch Drop & Select a Ball Mount (curtmfg.com)

Thanks for the great info!

That seems like a lot of money for the wiring harness. Aftermarket options are fine, I would choose a big name.

I believe the one I posted is an OEM harness (has the OEM part number) at a discounted price. Other than OEM, what's a good brand to look at?

U Haul could do all of this for you as well - setting you up for towing their trailers and providing equipment for other applications.

I'll give it a try again, but the last time I visited my local U-Haul a few years ago I got the impression that they were morons.

 

[Wickit]

I didn't need anything for my pilot but I have purchased hitches and wiring harnesses from etrailer several times for other vehicles and never had a problem. With tax and shipping you can probably get under a hundred dollars. But there is certainly nothing wrong with the OEM harness.