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2009 Odyssey Tow Package Observations
Shawkins22
Member Posts: 7
I bought the 2009 EX-L with RES a couple weeks ago and while I love this van, coming off of a 10-year old Sienna, Honda has really dropped the ball on the tow package.
1) First of all, why no Class III hitch option for those of us who do a bit heavier towing and like a beefier hitch? I realize there are aftermarket Class III remedies, but I'm not a huge fan of seeing the cross bar underneath the bumper, so at this moment, the Honda Class II is the way to go. After ordering the hitch and picking it up, it exceeded my expectations as it is as heavy as the Class III from Curt Mfg. that I test fitted on the van. I will post pictures of the Honda hitch after I install it. There seems to be a real need for pictures of the hitch install on the newer Odysseys.
2) Why just a four-pin flat connector on the wiring harness? Again, those with heavier pop-ups will likely need a 7-pin solution? The dealer was NO help on this only saying that there are adapters that convert a 4-pin flat connector to a 7-pin round. While I agree with that, it still doesn't address the need for 7 hot pins. Luckily, etrailers.com has an adapter where your 4-pins connect and three other wires are pig-tailed from the back of the adapter. This solution from etrailers.com is actually less expensive than the Honda wiring harness alone.
3)Lastly, many of the dealers will tell you that if you order the hitch by itself without all the coolers, you won't get the receiver plug, mounting hardware, the reciever pin, etc. That's ridiculous! The hitch comes with all of that including the template for cutting the bumper underneath.
So here's my tow package in a nutshell:
1) Honda Class II Hitch.
2) Aftermarket wiring harness.
3) Adapter for converting the 4-pin connector to a
7-pin connector.
4) Honda PSF Cooler
5) Honda ATF Cooler
6) Honda Air Duct
7) Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Controller
I will post pictures of the package installed when completed.
1) First of all, why no Class III hitch option for those of us who do a bit heavier towing and like a beefier hitch? I realize there are aftermarket Class III remedies, but I'm not a huge fan of seeing the cross bar underneath the bumper, so at this moment, the Honda Class II is the way to go. After ordering the hitch and picking it up, it exceeded my expectations as it is as heavy as the Class III from Curt Mfg. that I test fitted on the van. I will post pictures of the Honda hitch after I install it. There seems to be a real need for pictures of the hitch install on the newer Odysseys.
2) Why just a four-pin flat connector on the wiring harness? Again, those with heavier pop-ups will likely need a 7-pin solution? The dealer was NO help on this only saying that there are adapters that convert a 4-pin flat connector to a 7-pin round. While I agree with that, it still doesn't address the need for 7 hot pins. Luckily, etrailers.com has an adapter where your 4-pins connect and three other wires are pig-tailed from the back of the adapter. This solution from etrailers.com is actually less expensive than the Honda wiring harness alone.
3)Lastly, many of the dealers will tell you that if you order the hitch by itself without all the coolers, you won't get the receiver plug, mounting hardware, the reciever pin, etc. That's ridiculous! The hitch comes with all of that including the template for cutting the bumper underneath.
So here's my tow package in a nutshell:
1) Honda Class II Hitch.
2) Aftermarket wiring harness.
3) Adapter for converting the 4-pin connector to a
7-pin connector.
4) Honda PSF Cooler
5) Honda ATF Cooler
6) Honda Air Duct
7) Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Controller
I will post pictures of the package installed when completed.
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This discussion has been closed.
Comments
You mention the Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Controller. I assume that you use this because the camper your are pulling (pop up? box size?) has brakes.
Our camper is 10 foot box with no brakes on it.
Thanks
thanks!
Ted
Thanks, joediver90@gmail.com
I hate to ask again, but could you send me pictures also?
Thanks!
Bob
rlewin1@att.net