Other Than a Hitch What Parts Are Needed To Tow a Trailer With a 2008 Honda Odyssey  

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Expert Reply:

Yes, in addition to a hitch, you will need a ball mount, ball and trailer wiring. I will explain what the parts are and what they do, then I will include some recommendations of parts for your 2008 Honda Odyssey.

A ball mount slides into the receiver, or square opening in the hitch. They are available in different heights so that depending on how tall the vehicle is and how tall the trailer is, a ball mount can be selected that will keep the whole rig level.

Balls are available in different diameters to fit different couplers. Most rental trailers use 2 inch balls.

Finally, you will need a trailer wiring harness. It will install on your vehicle and connect your vehicle tail light system to the trailer so that the lights on the trailer function in sync with your Odyssey.

We always recommend 2 inch hitches to our customers when they are available for their particular vehicle. 2 inch hitches have higher weight capacities and there are more accessories available for 2 inch versus 1-1/4 inch hitches. For your Odyssey, I would recommend Draw-Tite part # 75270, or if you want a high gloss finish on your hitch, I would recommend Curt hitch part # C13068. Both of these hitches will work great, the Curt finish is a bit more glossy.

The recommended ball mount for your Odyssey is part # 2753. It is the proper height to keep standard height trailers, most rental trailers, level with your Odyssey. I believe you will need to use this ball mount in the rise position on your Odyssey, flipped upside from how it is pictured.

You will also need a pin or lock to hold the ball mount into the hitch. The basic standard pin is part # PC3. You could also use a locking hitch pin, like part # e98880 to prevent anyone from removing the ball mount from the hitch.

Most rental trailers use a 2 inch ball. The 2 inch ball that will fit the ball mount for your Odyssey is part # 19247. Call the trailer rental store first and ask what size ball you will need. If it is not a 2 inch, feel free to write back and I will help you find the right ball.

Finally, the wiring. Fortunately, this may be the easiest part on your Odyssey. Part # 118438 is the proper harness for your Odyssey. There is a port in the rear cargo area that the harness plugs into. You will need to attach the white ground wire to an existing ground stud. Finally you will need to insert a fuse into a fuse panel near the glove box.

Below, you will find links to the parts I recommended as well as to instructions and video links for some of them. If you have any more questions, feel free to write back. The first video link you will see is step by step tutorial on the components needed to tow a trailer and how they work.

expert reply by: Patrick B

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