Installing Curt Class I Receiver # C11496 on 2013 Honda Accord

Question:

I had one of these Draw-Tite trailer hitches for my 2003 Accord and loved it. I installed it myself and threading the leader was a little bit of a pain but nothing I couldnt handle. Now I want one for a 2013 Accord. After looking at the installation notes... Are you guys serious? Is all this really required? Installation Notes: No drilling required for installation Exhaust must be temporarily lowered for installation Heat shield must be modified or trimmed for hitch installation Underbody trim panel must be modified or trimmed if present. Can you let me know

asked by: James B

Expert Reply:

As you can see by looking at the installation instructions I have linked to, the procedure for installing the # C11496 is quite a bit more involved than that used when you installed the # 60953 on your 2003 Accord.

Because the heat shields will need to be bent out of the way to allow access to where the hitch attaches to the frame members, lowering the exhaust will be a necessity. Lowering the exhaust is not terribly difficult, you will need to spray some lubricant like WD-40 on the exhaust hanger and rubber isolator, which will make it easy to slide the isolator off the hanger.

The access holes for threading the hardware through might need to be slightly enlarged. There are many methods of doing this, including using a dremel tool if available or a cold chisel and hammer to notch the edge of the opening so that it is large enough to pass the hardware through.

Some models of the Accord will have the plastic underbody appearance panel that will need to be removed in order to install the hitch. If you wish to reinstall the panel after the hitch is in place, the panel will need to be trimmed in order to fit it around the hitch. Since the panel is not going to be visible unless you are directly under the vehicle, some folks elect to leave the panel off.

With the exception of trimming the panel if you do not intend on reinstalling it, all the steps outlined in the installation instructions (click provided link to see instructions) are necessary to complete the process.

expert reply by: Mike L