Trailer Hitch and Brake Controller Recommendation for 2018 Honda Odyssey

Question

Question:

I am looking to tow a v-nose 5x8, 3000lb gvwr enclosed trailer behind a 2018 honda odyssey. The max towing capacity for the odyssey is 3000lb. What hitch setup would you recommend? In your experience, are trailer brakes absolutely necessary given this setup or can someone get by safely with cautious driving and common sense?

asked by: Chris

0

Expert Reply:

If you'd be towing at your vehicle's capacity a brake controller would be a very good idea.

You will need to start with a 4-way (if you do not have one). For that you would want the # 118753.

From there you would need to convert the 4-way to a 7-way so that you can install the brake controller. For that you will want the Brake Controller Install Kit and 7-Way Adapter part # ETBC7. I attached installation instructions and an install video for this product as well.

For a brake controller I would recommend the Prodigy P2 Brake Controller part # 90885. This is our best selling brake controller because of how well it works and how easy it is to setup.

For a hitch the etrailer part # e98855 would be a great option. I attached an install video for this as well.

If you wanted to do some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not include a ball mount with the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, check out the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

expert reply by: Jameson C

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Answer 1

We have a pretty simple kit designed specifically for use with the Curt Echo #C51180 to convert a 4-way to a 7-way and have all of the needed circuits active for the Echo to function with the #ETBC7L which is a simple 4-way to 7-way adapter that also…

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Answer 2

The Curt Echo part #C51180 draws power from the 12 volt accessory circuit of the vehicle which is also the same circuit that charges a trailer battery. The Curt would not draw power from the trailer battery and especially not when the trailer is…

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Answer 3

The Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller part #C51180 will require that you have a 7-way installed on the tow vehicle with 12 volt power. There is no way around this unfortunately. The trailer's battery would not be able to power the brake…

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Answer 4

The Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller #C51180 gets its power from the 12 volt connection on the 7-way of your car, which is also outlined in the linked instructions. Please note that some vehicles may require a trailer to be connected in…

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Answer 5

Great question! The 12V power wire that comes with the 7-Way RV Upgrade Kit #ETBC7L will need to be wired directly to the battery on your 2004 Volkswagen Passat for safety reasons. The Curt Echo Wireless Trailer Brake Controller #C51180 pulls power…

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Answer 6

The reason you want to run the power wire of the #ETBC7L up to the vehicle battery is because this is the circuit that the brake controller draws power from and you want it to bypass all of the vehicle wiring so as to prevent a short from damaging…

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Answer 7

If your 2013 Honda Pilot has the factory tow package you will find a connection point for the 4-way harness, like the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector #C56170, which you referenced,…

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Answer 8

It sounds like you may already have a 4 way connector on your vehicle, which is half of the battle. In order to operate the Curt Echo Mobile Wireless Brake Controller #C51180 you will need an almost fully functional 7 way connector; using something…

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Answer 9

The trailer wiring harness you would need based on what you were able to find is the Tekonsha kit part #118781 which I attached an install video for on a 2018 Honda Odyssey just like yours.

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Answer 10

I have exactly what you need to add a 7-way trailer connector to a 2016 Honda Odyssey. For this, you'll need to start with a 4-way trailer connector and I recommend the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness part #118521 which is plug-n-play. Then you can…

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Answer 11

Since the Autowbrake part #3430001 needs a 12 volt power source to function properly you would need to convert your 4-way to a 7-way with the part #ETBC7L which comes with parts needed to activate the 12 volt accessory circuit of the 7-way for the…

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Answer 12

The Curt Echo Brake Controller part #C51180 will require a 7-way trailer connector for operation so if you only have a 4-way trailer connector then you can use the 4 to 7-Way with 4-Way Adapter part #ETBC7L to convert what you have. The only wires…

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