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Honda Odyssey Towing/Trailer Hitch Questions
DIY (05-07) TRAILER HITCH WIRING INSTRUCTIONS
The hitch wiring for 3rd generation Odyssey is supposed to be a simple plug and play connection, like it is on the 2nd generation Odyssey since Drawtite provides a direct connect wiring kit (#118336).
However, despite the 3rd generation being on the market for 2+ years, I could not find any hitch manufacturer offering a direct connect kit (2nd and 3rd generations use a different factory installed connector). The only options currently available are;
1) purchase Honda wiring kit ($180). This is powered unit (draws car battery power to power trailers with lots of lights)
2) splice a generic wiring kit (like Drawtite 18130) into taillight harness
3) build custom connection to plug into factory provided hitch connector
Here is Do It Yourself instructions for option #3
Overview:
I could not find a commercial connector that would plug into the factory provided connector. However, the individual pins on the factor provided connector are the same as on the 99-04 Odyssey (about 0.080” wide). A spade lug will fit on these pins (most are 0.250” wide), the smallest commercial spade lug available is 0.110” wide, and will fit snuggly.
Parts;
1) generic wiring kit (like Drawtite 18130, or 99-04 Odyssey custom kit 118336)
2) 5 spade lugs (0.110” wide)
3) heat shrink tubing (Radio Shack)
4) 2 tie wraps (Radio Shack, Home Depot)
Preparation;
1) crimp the above spade lugs to car end of wire kit
2) for extra protection apply a small piece of heat shrink tubing to exposed section of spade lugs
Assembly; (about 1 hr)
1) Pull out the weather-strip at the rear trim panel (fig 1)
2) Remove the 2 anchor bolts (cargo net holder) from panel in 3rd row seat well (fig 1)
3) Lift to release the 10 clips (fig 1)
4) Pull out the weather-strip at the passenger side rear side trim panel (fig 2)
5) Remove the anchor bolt near the top of the side panel (fig 2)
6) Gently pull out on the rear side panel to release the two clips (fig 2)
7) Gently pull out the rear side panel (fig 3)
8) Connect 5 wires to junction box trailer wire connector port (fig 4)
9) Secure trailer wire kit to existing harness with tie wraps
The hitch wiring for 3rd generation Odyssey is supposed to be a simple plug and play connection, like it is on the 2nd generation Odyssey since Drawtite provides a direct connect wiring kit (#118336).
However, despite the 3rd generation being on the market for 2+ years, I could not find any hitch manufacturer offering a direct connect kit (2nd and 3rd generations use a different factory installed connector). The only options currently available are;
1) purchase Honda wiring kit ($180). This is powered unit (draws car battery power to power trailers with lots of lights)
2) splice a generic wiring kit (like Drawtite 18130) into taillight harness
3) build custom connection to plug into factory provided hitch connector
Here is Do It Yourself instructions for option #3
Overview:
I could not find a commercial connector that would plug into the factory provided connector. However, the individual pins on the factor provided connector are the same as on the 99-04 Odyssey (about 0.080” wide). A spade lug will fit on these pins (most are 0.250” wide), the smallest commercial spade lug available is 0.110” wide, and will fit snuggly.
Parts;
1) generic wiring kit (like Drawtite 18130, or 99-04 Odyssey custom kit 118336)
2) 5 spade lugs (0.110” wide)
3) heat shrink tubing (Radio Shack)
4) 2 tie wraps (Radio Shack, Home Depot)
Preparation;
1) crimp the above spade lugs to car end of wire kit
2) for extra protection apply a small piece of heat shrink tubing to exposed section of spade lugs
Assembly; (about 1 hr)
1) Pull out the weather-strip at the rear trim panel (fig 1)
2) Remove the 2 anchor bolts (cargo net holder) from panel in 3rd row seat well (fig 1)
3) Lift to release the 10 clips (fig 1)
4) Pull out the weather-strip at the passenger side rear side trim panel (fig 2)
5) Remove the anchor bolt near the top of the side panel (fig 2)
6) Gently pull out on the rear side panel to release the two clips (fig 2)
7) Gently pull out the rear side panel (fig 3)
8) Connect 5 wires to junction box trailer wire connector port (fig 4)
9) Secure trailer wire kit to existing harness with tie wraps
0
Comments
Looking into rear junction box trailer port
___________________
__....................__
a ....................b
__ ..__ ..__ .. __.. __
_1__2___3___4___5__
pin function wire kit
a gnd white
b left yellow
1 right green
3 brake red
4 tail brown
I did a search but could not find a concrete answer.
I have an 07 Odyssey EX-L w/RES and thinking of purchasing personal watercrafts.
First of all, will the Ody tow two Honda 3 seater turbo watercraft on a double trailer?
Secondly, in what other should I add the towing acessories as reccomended by Honda? And do we really need a power steering cooler?
Would love to hear from folks doing similar towing.
PS: I just did a 3,500 mile tround trip DFW to SoCal trip. Van seems gutless at high speed and hills (but I came from a Ford Explosion and my daily driver is an EVO IX SE). Gas milage was around 24 mpg loaded with 4 kids, a Wife and luggage. By far the most comfortable vehicle for trips we've had. Thumbs up to the nav and dvd.
I fear web photos from mfrs are not necessarily accurate, so seek your experience.
A note on Curt - is good design with sealed tube. My trial unit had mis-located right front mounting hole, too close to edge of bracket to re-dril without breaking through. A pro shop could bend it, but that responsibility I will not take.
Thanks.
Get a T-One plug in wiring kit, even if more $$ than univeral style. 20 minutes. Go real easy prying up plastic trunk liner panels.
If installing brake controller, you need to tap into the brake light switch wire over brake pedal (make sure you have the switched wire - not hot wire). Then you need to run a single wire from controller to your 6 or 7 pin socket, left side of car, tucking under carpet trim. Also tap into back-up light wiring in rear if wanted.
No tranny cooler experience yet, but buy the biggest plate style you can - max capacity is best. I have no idea why we need steering fluid cooler Honda has in their towing package.
Have pulled 3000 lb pop-up camper a few years with 2000 Ody - no coolers, no tranny probs, even though the 2000 was a tranny risk.
I'm, now fitting up my new 2007, and looking for a close fitting Class III hitch - any ideas there? (see my other post today re Curt hitch).
Looking at the factory trailer wire harness installation manual, they tell you to remove the rear bumper to access a grommet to run the wires through to get the trailer harness down to the trailer hitch. I would like to know if any of you know of a more accessible grommet that will allow me to run the wires to the trailer hitch without removing the rear bumper? Thank you for your help.
(Everything purchased from etrailer) I bolted on a Hidden Hitch Class 3 round tube for 150.00 #70750 (discontinued),T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness 40.00 #118438, etc. The hitch was a breeze to install (easier w/ 2 people) the harness was a breeze (go easy removing the panels) Everything works great.
I bought the Sears fold up utiltiy trailer hooked everything up and away I went. So far so good.
I'll report back if problems occur.
My own trailer is 3000 lb Fleetwood pop-up camper I intend to haul accross continent & over mountains, close enough to the Honda 3500 lb limit that I will add a large Q tranny cooler, but pass on the PS cooler. Also adding a lower grille screen to protect the delicate stuff that Honda neglected (see other threads on this.) Thanks for your input, angrypear.
If I need really ATF cooler, what kind of cooler should I buy and where I can go to get the cooler installed? how much doest it cost ?
Beside ATF cooler, do I need another kind of cooler in order to be safe towing 1900 lbs trailer?
How long can I drive the car with trailer between the rest ?
Thank you very much for your advise.
I would stick with Uhaul's advice. Your car is 8+ years old and you are making a 1 time trip and you have a transmission cooler. I would think your money would be better spent insuring the car was in shape for the trip - brakes,oil,air etc. Also, If you don't have experience towing loads like this I would talk to Uhaul about making this trip safely. For instance, backing up is an acquired skill. The only other cooler Honda offered was for the power steering. I make infrequent short trips with a lighter load so I don't have either cooler.
I don't understand the last question.
I had a 2000 Odyssey ex that never towed anything and the transmission died last summer. You can prepare for the worst and hope for the best, but nothing is guaranteed.
Thanks! -Tony
That said, I agree with others that for a one-time trip of 500 miles, you could probably get by without either. Not knowing the type of roads you'll be travelling, I would guess somewhere around a 9-10 hour trip if driven straight through. It probably wouldn't hurt to stop every couple of hours and give things a chance to cool down. Travelling with kids, frequent stops are almost a guarantee anyway.
BTW, "thank you!" to your husband for his service and your family for their sacrifice.
rt woodworking@tnt21.com
http://www.handa-accessories.com/odyssey/05tow.pdf
My job requires a lot of traveling to different states, towing a small trailer. Do you think my '95 Odyssey would be up to the job? It has the 4 cylinder engine. I would have it outfitted with a Honda hitch and wiring for $360.00 at a local trailer supplier.
Thanks for your input.
ps - the reason I am thinking of using a trailer is so that my family can come with me sometimes - otherwise I could fold up the back seats and everything I carry could be loaded inside the vehicle
Wouldn't it be fair to say that if your trailer and van's total load are less than the maximum load for the van alone, you should be fine without the tranny fluid cooler?
I assume the tranny cooler is recommended for the worst case scenario: a fully loaded van and some additional weight in a trailer. As to what is a fully loaded van? : 6-200lb men and some gear behind the seat, say a total of 1500-lbs.
Does Honda recommend a tranny cooler for a total internal payload of 1500-lb? If not, what's the difference between that and a relatively empty van pulling a 1000-lb trailer?
Anyone?
Also, any suggestions for the best hitch for my purposes?
I bought the drawtite Hitch for my 2000 Odyssey and it worked great. I am looking for my 2008 Odyssey, using etrailer and probably going with hidden hitch. Which drawbar did you get and how does that work for height on what you are towing? They have Ballmount 2-3/4" Rise or 4" Drop and otehr combinations but I just was not sure which height I should go with. I am buyign a class lll, with 2" ball. I mainly tow our sunfish, very light and fairly low to ground. I also will use the bicycle rack in the hitch.
thanks,
The bicycle rack I purchased said to go with a 2 inch opening which I did. The thing that is concerning me is that there is quite a bit of wobbling going on after pinning the bike rack into the hitch.
Should I try to shim this in some way to reduce the wobble or should I just accept the fact that it wobbles around a bit?
I got a Thule 4 bike and at first it appeared that it wobbled a bit. My rack uses a screw through the receiver hole and once tight it does not wobble.