How to Add 7-Way Trailer Connector to 2011 Honda Odyssey

Question:

Hello - would like help finding the right part I need. Id like something that can convert my 4 way to a 7 way round - and mount it to my Hitch for permanent placement. Id like the plug to do both 4 way and 7 way round I have both types of trailers Id like to screw/bolt it to the hitch frame My Vehicle is a 2011 Odyssey and I already have installed the Hidden Hitch Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2 87479 and T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector 118521 Right now, I just run the wire out the trunk but will run it through the body to make it permanent to connect to the adapter/bracket Im looking for. Thank you! -Steve

asked by: Stephen A

Expert Reply:

I'd be happy to help you with that. The solution you're needing will depend on what you're trying to acccomplish.

If all you're needing are the lighting circuits for the trailer, then you can just use the # 37185 adapter which will provide both a 7-way and a 4-pole trailer connector. Plug the adapter into your existing 4-pole, ground the white wire to the vehicle and tuck the rest of the wires safely out of the way, and you'll be good to go.

The adapter has 4 additional circuits. The white ground wire would attach to the vehicle frame or chassis, the black wire carries 12-volt power from the battery, the blue wire carries output from a brake controller and the yellow wire is usually used for reverse lights on the trailer if it's so equipped. The 12-volt, the brake controller output and the reverse lamp circuits may or may not be needed, depending on how the trailer is equipped.

If your trailer has brakes, you'll need a brake controller. The Curt # C51180 Echo Wireless brake controller would be simple to install, and would use your smart phone as the control panel. Instead of getting the # 37185 adapter, you'd want to get the # ETBC7L install kit which also includes the same adapter along with the wire and the proper circuit breaker to connect the 12-volt circuit to the vehicle's positive battery terminal. This is our easiest to install brake controller option, which is why it's very popular with our customers.

Drilling holes into the hitch itself isn't recommended, but we have a pretty clever no-drill bracket, part
# 18136 that would use a pipe clamp to attach to the hitch crossbar. The bracket is compatible with the 4 pole to 7-way adapter mentioned above.

I'll link to some videos showing how the Curt Echo and the install kit work.