Best Hitch for Bike Rack & Trailer Towing with 2018 Honda CR-V

Question

Question:

Our 18 CR-V needs a hitch. I see you have two sizes. For now we'll use it mostly for a bike rack but we are also planning for a small ultralight tear trailer in a year or so. What is the best hitch for the bike rack now and the trailer later? What else do we need for safe towing? Give us the whole deal, please!

asked by: Jeanine

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Expert Reply:

A 2-inch Class III hitch is the better option for your 2018 Honda CR-V both for using you hitch bike rack and for towing. Class III hitches like Draw-Tite # 76128 typically have higher weight capacities than the smaller Class II hitches like # 36597 and this makes them the better choice both for accessories like bike racks and for towing trailers too. Draw-Tite model # 76128 offers a combination of high capacity and easy installation, which makes it the one I recommend. You can see the installation process in the video I linked for you and the photo shows the clean appearance.

If your bike rack happens to be one that is made for the smaller 1-1/4-inch hitch size, such as the Kuat Sherpa # SH12G, you can still use it in the 2-inch hitch without having to modify or replace it simply by adding a hitch reducer sleeve # HT02. If you happen to also have a 1-1/4-inch cargo carrier like Reese # 63155 then the reducer sleeve will allow use of this item too. If you ever find yourself looking for a new bike rack in the future I recommend selecting a 2-inch type that will directly fit into the hitch. Many hitch racks are designed to fit in both hitch sizes, such as Thule's awesome EasyFold folding e-Bike platform rack # TH903202. If e-bikes or even just heavy standard bikes are in your future then this rack is an excellent choice.

To complete a towing set up you will also need a basic wiring harness for trailer lights, part # 118741, along with a ball mount, hitch ball, hitch lock and towing mirrors. Trailers that have on-board batteries and/or electric brakes will also require a wiring upgrade to a 7-way, using kit # ETBC7, and a trailer brake controller such as the super-reliable Prodigy P3 # 90195. This 7-way kit and controller complete your towing electrical set-up.

I recommend Ball Mount Kit # EBMK4 since it includes two sizes of hitch ball along with a ball mount. For a set of towing mirrors go with the K-Source dual-lens mirror set # KS3990.

Most ultralight tear trailers will be well within the CR-V's rated 1500-lb towing capacity but if you choose a trailer made with modern composite materials you may be able have a nice big safety margin too. I suggest you check your manual to confirm your CR-V towing capacity in case it differs from the online information I reviewed.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

While not ideal to so after installing Trailer Hitch Receiver, #e98848, you should be just fine.

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Answer 2

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 3

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 4

To add a class III hitch to your 2024 Honda CR-V hybrid, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C13397. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your CR-V with included hardware. It is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. I really like…

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Answer 5

Yes, we do. To add a hitch to your 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C26VV. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Toyota with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has…

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Answer 6

It is going well and I'd be happy to help you! For a 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport, I recommend the etrailer Hitch item #e98848 you were looking at. We have confirmed through our vendor and customer reviews that this hitch will fit the…

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Answer 7

Yep, so long as your 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is not a hybrid both the Curt and etrailer hitches will fit: - Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13382 - etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98912 The only difference besides price is the finish; the…

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Answer 8

There is a trailer hitch receiver as well as a 4-way wiring harness that fit your 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee WL; that said, we don't have any way to reference a VIN so you'll need to confirm if you do have the WL, which is the new model…

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Answer 9

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

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Answer 10

As far as wiring for the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, we do have the Curt #C59236 available which is more of a universal hardwire harness. Unfortunately there are not any plug-and-play options that have been confirmed to fit as of yet (October 4,…

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Answer 11

Lance does have a proprietary plug, but many customers see a standard 6-way or 7-way round and notice it doesn't fit their factory 7-way as well. I've attached an article to help if you have one of the 7-way or 6-way round connectors which we…

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Answer 12

If you just need a 4-pin to 7-pin trailer wiring adapter, then you can use part #C57672. This will plug into the 4-pin trailer connector on your brother's vehicle and give him the 7-pin socket for the trailer. Keep in mind, this will only give…

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