Parts Needed to Install 7-Way and Brake Controller in 2019 Honda Pilot Touring

Question:

My wife has a 2019 Honda Pilot Touring. We were told that in order for her to add a tow package it doesnt have one they would have to hard wire from the front of the vehicle to the rear. But after watching so many videos, it seems as though all Pilots have the wiring for connecting harnesses and brake controllers. Can this be confirmed? I feel like this company is trying to take us for a ride because they wanted $1200 to do the hard wire and mount the receiver/hitch.

asked by: William C

Expert Reply:

You will have to do some hardwiring to install trailer wiring and a brake controller to your 2019 Honda Pilot but it's not as in-depth as you'd think most likely. The price the dealer is asking is pretty high if it's just labor.

So the easiest to install brake controller that also works really well is the Curt Echo Mobile part # C51180. Basically this just plugs into an active 7-way and once you sync it to your phone it's ready to go. This brake controller is proportional which means it senses the amount of deceleration your tow vehicle is applying and applies the trailer brakes in a relative way.

You'll need to start with a 4-way though for the wiring of your vehicle. For that you'd need the # C56291.

To convert the 4-way to a 7-way so that you can install the brake controller only requires the 7-way adapter kit part # ETBC7L. The 4-way of this plugs into the 4-way of your vehicle and once you run the included wiring and breaker up to the vehicle's positive battery post it's active enough to allow the Echo to function. This saves you from having to hardwire in a brake controller which requires tapping into the brake signal of your vehicle and running a few other wires too.

expert reply by: Jameson C