Trailer Hitch Installation - 2012 Honda Odyssey - Draw-Tite

Installation of a Trailer Hitch on a 2012 Honda Odyssey

Today on our 2012 Honda Odyssey, were going to install the Draw-Tite Hitch, part number 75270. All right, this is what it will look like with our hitch installed. Now Ill go ahead and give you a couple of measurements that will assist you in selecting accessories for your new hitch such as a draw bar, a bike rack or a cargo carrier. From the center of the hitch pinhole to the outermost part of the bumper is 6 inches. From the top of the receiver tube to the ground is 11 1/2 inches. Now lets go ahead with the installation.

Our first step is actually to remove the underbody trim panel here on the driver side. This will get removed and will not be reinstalled. To remove the underbody trim panel, well simply get inside the plastic push pin and pry out the center piece. Once we get the center piece pried out, we can take a flat bladed screwdriver or if you have available, a trim panel tool to remove the fastener. Now, with our three plastic fasteners removed, weve got one bolt that also needs to be removed.

With the trim panel removed and set aside, we now move over to the passenger side so that we can go ahead and lower the exhaust. To lower the exhaust, we need to remove the two rear tailpipe hangers. Easiest way to remove these hangers is take a little spray lubricant, and spray down the metal portion of the hanger, and then well remove the rubber isolator that hangs in between. As you can see, this will give us additional working room so that we can get to the weld nuts above the exhaust. The attachment points here on the driver side, again will be the weld nuts and the frame.

Each one of our weld nuts and the frame will need to be cleaned out before we install our hardware. To do this well use a little spray lubricate and 1/2 inch nylon tube brush, part number 814092 to clean up the threads of the weld nuts. Theres the rear attachment point on the driver side, were going to go ahead and repeat the same process for the rest of the attachment points. Now, as we install our hitch, were going to take the provided blocks, and they will get put on top of the hitch, and sandwiched between the hitch and the frame. Our fasteners will be our 12 mm bolt and conical tooth washer with the teeth of the washer facing the hitch.

Now is a good time to get an extra set of hands to help you hold the hitch in place while you install your fasteners and blocks. When you install your fasteners, recommend to go hand-tight until you get each fastener in position. With the driver side installed, well go ahead and repeat the same process on the passenger side. All right, now with all our fasteners installed, well go ahead and tighten them down. Now with all our fasteners tightened down, well go ahead and torque to specifications as indicated in the instructions. Now with all our fasteners torque to specifications, well go ahead and reinstall the exhaust. That will complete the install of our Draw-Tite Hitch, part number 75270 on our 2012 Honda Odyssey.