[Passport_It_is]

I know I am going to be adding Hitch/Harness in the spring myself. I just wonder if it is worth the effort/cost to add Hands Free Tailgate since I am going to be "in the area". Anyone done this ? Is it worth it ? I have EXL trim.

 

[Wrascal]

I seldom use my kicker.
I often use the key fob (from a distance).

 

[mtgriff]

I use the kicker when my arms are full with the last of the groceries. It saves me a trip back out to close the tailgate.

 

[5500]

Its a nice convenience, but recently I've had a problem with the tailgate deploying when I'm trying to install the hitchpin to secure my bike rack... have had to quickly pull the rack from the hitch to avoid contact between the two.
i'm sure the tailgate would strike my trailer jack if it deploys unexpectedly when hitching up.

 

[Passport_It_is]

Also, seems as the "foot" motion area is much smaller with the hitch than otherwise. I am 55% I will pass on it.

 

[pshadoa]

I have the hitch with the shortened hands-free antenna. Works less than 1/2 the time. Surprised the bumper cover has not cracked from me kicking it!

 

[Passport_It_is]

Ok..thanks...odds of me not adding it increased to 80%

 

[EShackleton]

I’ve had my 2020 PP Elite for a few weeks. I had the OEM hitch/harness option added. I have given up trying to use the hands free opening. It works but only infrequently. The sensor is now to the right of the hitch.

 

[DudeCS]

I’ve had my 2020 PP Elite for a few weeks. I had the OEM hitch/harness option added. I have given up trying to use the hands free opening. It works but only infrequently. The sensor is now to the right of the hitch.

I recently installed the hitch and replaced the hands-free sensor. The sensor for the hands-free tailgate actually detects your shin, not your foot. There are two antennas that run across the bottom half of the lower valance of the bumper. If you are too far from the bumper and only swing your foot beneath the bumper, it may not trigger the sensor. This is the same if you have the hitch option or not. Sensor location just moves from the left to right side of center.

 

[Wrascal]

I generally use the key fob to open the rear gate but today I had two cases of beer, the magic worked fine for me.

 

[2984]

Trade you a six pack.

 

[P-A-N-D-A]

I recently installed the hitch and replaced the hands-free sensor. The sensor for the hands-free tailgate actually detects your shin, not your foot. There are two antennas that run across the bottom half of the lower valance of the bumper. If you are too far from the bumper and only swing your foot beneath the bumper, it may not trigger the sensor. This is the same if you have the hitch option or not. Sensor location just moves from the left to right side of center.

Interesting that the ONLY difference between standard hands-free and buying the ? trailer-hitch hands-free adapter is the length of the two sensor 'bars.'

Non-trailer-hitch bracket w/long-sensor-bars on top of my workbench, and the extra cost (per Honda, required with hitch installation on vehicles with hands-free tailgate) bracket with short-sensor-bars on bottom of pic. Sensor bars simply plug into electronic box (box has same part # on them) and installer must still cut the long plastic housing to size.

Except for Honda's convenience??, no reason Honda couldn't simply sell the two shorter sensor bars (they can easily be plug'n'play), and installer simply cuts the existing plastic housing to size

 

[DudeCS]

Except for Honda's convenience??, no reason Honda couldn't simply sell the two shorter sensor bars (they can easily be plug'n'play), and installer simply cuts the existing plastic housing to size

I didn't take the opportunity to compare the control modules that the antennas plug into. Are the modules the same part number?

 

[P-A-N-D-A]

Sensors are made by BROSE manufacturing, here in USA.
Part # E25442-100 is the TOP short-length sensor
Part # E25445-100 is the BOTTOM short-length sensor

I already spent the $$ to buy the OEM Honda part(s), but if someone else is tired of binge-watching TV, or staring out the window watching the neighbors, or restacking their hoard of TP and hand sanitizer, or repeatedly checking for new posts in the PassportForum , that person can find out if BROSE is still open, and if parts are available direct. Who knows??

 

[P-A-N-D-A]

. . . Sensor bars simply plug into electronic box (box has same part # on them) and installer must still cut the long plastic housing to size.

I didn't take the opportunity to compare the control modules that the antennas plug into. Are the modules the same part number?

? ☝

 

[carpayments4life]

Why did they make the long antennas at all?

 

[P-A-N-D-A]

Why did they make the long antennas at all?

Though I have already removed/replaced stock long-sensor Hands-Free bracket with the shorter sensors/cut-off bracket, it possible the hands-free feature was s-u-p-p-o-s-e-d to work almost the entire width of the rear bumper, not just the center of tailgate. Someone with a non tow-hitch-modified-hands-free-sensor Passport might give it a try. If it does work in wider area that simply just the center of tailgate, don't know why they don't market it as such; otherwise ??????

Big picture - look at the Ridgeline specs, per Honda:
"To support the Ridgeline AWD's 5000 pound tow rating, a heavy duty transmission cooler is standard in all AWD models. " & this was back in 2016, and continues today.
Since Honda is marketing the Passport to buyers with outdoor and active lifestyles, unknown why they simply did not factory pre-install transmission cooler on all AWD Passports, also . . .
. . . but wait, could it be ???? for parts department and service department??!? Same for 'required' adapter for Hands-Free?? Nah, that couldn't be it.

 

[KMC]

...installer must still cut the long plastic housing to size...

Where exactly is the cut needed? Is it already done in your photo above, I'm not seeing it.

It really make me wonder if the original sensors could just be shortened and still work.

 

[P-A-N-D-A]

Where exactly is the cut needed? Is it already done in your photo above, I'm not seeing it.

It really make me wonder if the original sensors could just be shortened and still work.

According to everything I read, sensor rods may not function correctly if cut or damaged.

As for cutting the mounting bracket, see details below:

Stock installed bracket and the bracket included with the kit are 100% identical, so you can cut either one for installation.

 

[carpayments4life]

There is an OEM groove directly under the sky blue dots in the photo (above) and I made two swipes, with a utility knife. Then I was able to snap it easily.