Trailer Hitch Recommendation for Best Ground Clearance on a 2020 Honda Odyssey

Question:

Just purchased a 2020 Odyssey and I need to add a trailer hitch for a bike rack. The vehicle already sits pretty low so I want to keep from limiting the ground clearance as much as possible. Do you have any recommendations?

asked by: Tracy

Expert Reply:

Thank you for all of the details and congrats on the purchase of your new 2020 Honda Odyssey!

Since your main concern is ground clearance I recommend going with the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch # 76170 because it has a concealed cross tube which means on the hitch receiver itself is visible. This eliminates the cross tube sitting lower than the bumper out towards the corners of your vehicle which can potentially make contact with the ground when turning and going uphill (like with some steep driveways). I have attached an installation video and some sample photos from a 2018/2019 Odyssey that you can reference.

This trailer hitch also has a 2" receiver which is great for accessories because it opens up the door to more possibilities for you. If you don't already have a bike rack then I also recommend checking out the Thule Apex XT # TH9025XT as it is a 4 bike rack that has easy-to-use tilting and folding features along with bike and rack locks. It weighs in at 35 lbs yet can carry up to 4 bikes with a max weight of 37.5 lbs each. This bike rack is made in the USA and comes with a limited lifetime warranty so you can be confident that you are purchasing a quality product.

Please note that if any of your bikes lacks a horizontal top tube (like what you'd find on a standard men's bike) then you'll need to use the Thule Adapter Bar # TH982XT to ensure they sit level and have proper ground clearance.

expert reply by: Jon G