Parts Needed to Tow a Boat Trailer with a 2016 Honda Pilot

Question:

What receiver/ball do I need for towing a boat?

asked by: Gregory D

Helpful Expert Reply:

To start, you can use the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C13146 you were looking at, and it's a great choice because of the durable powder coating and strong design. In addition to the hitch/receiver, you'll also need a wiring harness, ball mount, hitch ball, hitch pin and clip. For a wiring harness I recommend using the Tekonsha T-One Wiring Harness # 118760, which offers a simple, plug and play installation and gives you a 4 way trailer plug on your 2016 Honda Pilot.

To answer the main question, in order to complete your towing setup you'll need a ball mount, hitch ball, hitch pin and clip. The best solution would be an adjustable ball mount like the Curt Multi-Ball Adjustable Ball Mount for 2" Trailer Hitches # D900 or determine which drop/rise you need and get a ball mount kit like the # EBMK4. You will want to compare the distance between the bottom of the trailer's coupler and the top of the hitch receiver to determine how much of a rise/drop you'll need to tow your trailer level.

I've linked some installation videos of these parts, as well as some helpful articles to determine how to measure for the correct rise/drop for your ball mount.

expert reply by: Erik B