Trailer Hitch and Wiring Recommendation for 2016 Honda Pilot

Question:

Am having a 2016 Honda Pilot touring package checked out prior to buying it. Vehicle checked out great. Then asked dealer for estimate on installing 2inch trailer hitch receiver and wiring since we tow a light weight utility trailer with our vehicles. Enter sticker shock. Dealer estimate was $2400!! Reading between the lines on your web page leads me to believe the factory kit installation is a pain. Am interested in options. Dont mind quality aftermarket parts/kits but am unsure best place to get the work done so as not to screw up my Pilot wiring, etc. Am in Galveston county south of Houston if you have any businesses to suggest who are familiar with this work.

asked by: Glen

Expert Reply:

Best place to go to will be a local shop with a good reputation in your area that people trust. Tow package installs are pretty basic for most garages considering what they normally deal with so it wouldn't be an issue at all to install a hitch and wiring. The etrailer.com hitch part # E98840 that you referenced is a great place to start. It's made in the USA and is mostly out of plainsight once installed so it's not too obnoxious looking when installed.

For trailer wiring then you'd want the T-One Tekonsha kit part # 118760 which is a custom fit. It installs without splicing and has the most reliable converter box of all of the kits we offer.

Since you plan on doing 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