[mcmcquar]

I'm planning on installing the wiring harness for the hitch this weekend on my 21 EXL that already has the OEM hitch on.

The instructions say to remove the hitch, complete the steps where you actually put it into the back of the hitch and put the hitch back on.

I took the time to look at the whole project last week and can't figure out why you need to remove the hitch at all.

Has anyone done this? Is removing the OEM hitch really necessary?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Mike D]

I can't speak to it, but that sounds wrong to me. What wiring harness are you using? I used this video (

for my install of my aftermarket wiring harness and it was a piece of cake. For me the hardest thing was pulling the lead hard enough to make the connection behind the panel like they show at 1:37ish in the video.

If you have a kick open switch etc. to relocate or something else going on perhaps it would be different.

The one I used, works fine for my 4 pin.https://www.curtmfg.com/part/56291

This one shows removing the panel and using the factory ground point with an aftermarket wiring harness. Short cut verison of the Honda instructions I believe.

Honda Trailer Hitch Harness (Passport) with this link you can download the Honda instructions on this install. (don't bother if you've already decided, I got confused on page 3 when they had you undo the engine cover and disconnect the battery)

Best of Luck. Wait for more advice you're sure to get it.

Mike D.

 

[P-A-N-D-A]

I'm planning on installing the wiring harness for the hitch this weekend on my 21 EXL that already has the OEM hitch on.

The instructions say to remove the hitch, complete the steps where you actually put it into the back of the hitch and put the hitch back on.

I took the time to look at the whole project last week and can't figure out why you need to remove the hitch at all.

Has anyone done this? Is removing the OEM hitch really necessary?

mcmcquar - I installed the Honda trailer wiring kit, along with the OEM hitch and the liftgate adapter.

I see NO reason that the hitch would require removal. The only interface between the two is zip-tying theg wire harness loom to the hitch, and attaching the plug to the hitch via the two bolts/nuts.

View from bottom of wiring harness attached to hitch bracket:

View of wiring harness from under Passport (from where Honda S-H-O-U-L-D have installed a full size spare )

Other than the 2 bolts/nuts attaching the wire harness housing to the hitch, this is the only other contact my wiring has with the hitch:

Remove hitch?? ¯\(ツ)/¯

 

[jdtruong]

I installed my hitch and wiring harness yesterday. I installed the hitch first and had absolutely no issues installing the wiring harness after.

 

[CMW]

I'm planning on installing the wiring harness for the hitch this weekend on my 21 EXL that already has the OEM hitch on.

The instructions say to remove the hitch, complete the steps where you actually put it into the back of the hitch and put the hitch back on.

I took the time to look at the whole project last week and can't figure out why you need to remove the hitch at all.

Has anyone done this? Is removing the OEM hitch really necessary?

Thanks for any help!

I'm planning on installing the wiring harness for the hitch this weekend on my 21 EXL that already has the OEM hitch on.

The instructions say to remove the hitch, complete the steps where you actually put it into the back of the hitch and put the hitch back on.

I took the time to look at the whole project last week and can't figure out why you need to remove the hitch at all.

Has anyone done this? Is removing the OEM hitch really necessary?

Thanks for any help!

I installed mine yesterday and had no problem. Make sure you watch video.

Good luck.

 

[vtroboguy]

So glad you posted this! I have my wiring harness sitting in my trunk ready to install! Might now get it done today!!

 

[mcmcquar]

Just closing the loop on this. I finally got to it yesterday. Install went pretty easy, getting the cable that's already inside the car was harder than I expected because the tape holding it was not easy to find. I got my wife and her smaller hands to get it but she accidentally cut the purple wire along with the tape... We unsheathed and twisted the two ends and used electrical tape so hopefully it's good. Anyone know what the purple wire controls so I can test the connection?

I did have to take off the bolts of one side of the hitch to get it fully installed. There wasn't enough space between the holster on the hitch to the bumper valence.

Finally I just drove to work and my GPS locator on Android Auto was off by about 3/4 miles this morning... I'm hoping it's just taking time to reset from the battery being disconnected for almost 2 hours (it reset my MPG also).