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This fully welded trailer hitch receiver bolts onto your vehicle's frame with no welding required. Matte black, powder coated steel is durable and corrosion resistant and creates a rugged look.
Features:
Specs:
The sturdy steel construction is protected with a matte black finish for added durability. This unique powder coating gives etrailer hitches a carbide-like appearance and a rugged look that sets them apart from traditional glossy hitches. In addition to being rust and corrosion resistant, the tough matte coating hides dirt, scuffs, and dings better than a glossy finish.
At etrailer we're committed to the products we sell, and to our customers. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are available via both phone and email to address your questions and concerns for the lifetime of your hitch. The technicians at etrailer perform hitch installations on a daily basis, making them a valuable resource for do-it-yourselfers. The one-on-one, personal service you'll receive comes straight from an expert in the towing and automotive field. We've installed it, we've wired it and we've towed with it, so whatever your question, we can answer it.
Tech Tip
Product fits Hybrid models. Hitch may interfere with the Hands-free Liftgate sensors and functionality may be very limited or possibly lost. No drilling through vehicle frame required for installation , Exhaust must be temporarily lowered for installation , Fascia trimming required for installation
Complete Towing Package for 2025
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We needed a hitch for our Honda CRV Hybrid and this looked like it was perfect for it. Our local garage guy installed it and I was impressed with the way it looks. Primarily, this is for our E-bike rack which we won't be using until March. My expectation is the quality (as usual) of an etrailer item will be exceptional. It melds right into the sharp look of the vehicle, as evidenced by the picture.
This would be five stars but I had to remove it after having three bolts in and elongate a hole to get it to fit. It is extremely difficult to do that… the metal was thinner on my 2022 honda crv so I tried to drill it out but it was extremely tight. Most people would not have a stubby 90 degree drill to do this. Even with that it was a real pain. I would have returned it for another one but I needed to use the hitch with a trailer that next day. I’m very impressed by etrailer and their videos etc. I would probably still order from them again but id be cautious about some quality.
Also I was a bit disappointed that the part that drops down to the 2” piece was only welded on one side. Thats a critical potential weak point.
After careful consideration, I purchased the product and am extremely satisfied. The product is aesthetically pleasing and remarkably easy to install, thanks to the provided step-by-step video instructions. Furthermore, the communication regarding shipment was exceptional.
I have never had a hitch on my car and I took the leap. I have a 2024 CRV sport-L hybrid and it fit perfectly. It took all g time to get it into position and required lots of awkward positions under the car (no lift here), but it fit. And a 100# torque wrench was hard to find from a friend, but it’s installed!
I specifically bought it for my bike rack. The Hollywood 4 bike rack. I have lots of pictures below of what to expect. The jack itself does. It stick out at all so I can’t wack my shins on it. But it seems really solid. I checked the torques on it about 6 months later and they are all still tight. The only thing I have used it for is a bike rack.
Good hitch but was far more involved putting on a 2024 CRV Touring Hybrid then depicted in the video. More parts had to be removed and then reinstalled, and the estimated 1 hour job took 3 with 2 people and having the car on a lift.
Greetings from Panama, Central America, This is a Really fine product, Install was a breeze with a lift and a helper hand!
Brooke M.
12/27/2024
Saludos! So glad to hear its working well for you! What all do you haul with the new hitch?
Brooke M.
1/3/2025
The hitch installed smoothly with the help of the provided videos. I completed most of the installation myself and used the help of another set of hands to lift the hitch in place.
It helped to read the written instructions but then actually follow the video steps. The leads included to fish the bolts and plates in place worked great,
It was a snug fit getting the holes to line up above the exhaust on my 2025 Crv sport hybrid, partly because the hitch hits the center tie hook, the hitch has to be above the bumper clips, and the exhaust doesn’t really lower that far. On that side I accidentally pushed one of the bolts up a bit, such that the bolt wasn’t dropped into the square hole of the plate. This bolt was also at a slight angle, so I didn't have much thread to get the nut started on. We kept tweaking the hitch, got that nut started, then the bolt rotated and dropped back into the plate hole properly.
It helps that the hitch itself is an easy lift for 2 people.
Fit perfectly on my 2023 Honda CRV. Installation instructions could be improved a little on where one must cutout from the bottom of the bumper. Picture and instructions are not clear enough on exactly where to cut.
David Y.
3/23/2024
Great!!! This hitch is strong and holding up well. P
Clear instructions and holding up very well. I've been putting hitches of various brands on cars since 2000 and will likely get an etrailer next time.
Gwendolyn Y.
2/27/2025
Hey Robert! Thanks for making us your go-to for hitches! We always got your back.
Ordering was straightforward ; installation by my installer was without issue. Fits perfectly, works great.
I've installed a number of hitches before and try to do so ASAP after I get a vehicle as the long you wait, the mounts are only going to get rusty and crusty.
I ordered this receiver and a Curt harness for my new 2025 Honda CRV Hybrid Touring.
One thing I will caution is that it seems there is a difference between the etrailer and Curt versions of the hitch as if you look at the included instructions and cross reference with the video that etrailer has on YouTube, you'll see a difference in where the cutout must be in the rear bumper.
That said, the install basically went as in the instructions although the instructions aren't super clear about the location of the bumper cutout. The YouTube video is of the Curt hitch, but it's not completely useless.
Here's what I did. I removed the black plastic tub under the rear of the car using a screwdriver and the 10mm bolt. I then lowered the exhaust, using a ratchet strap across 2 points under the car that almost look like they were made for this purpose (literally 2 pad eyes). Use some soapy water or WD40 on the rubber exhaust mounts, wiggle them back and forth with a pry bar and they should slip right off. You need to remove the rear AND middle mounts in order to get enough movement in the muffler to access the 2 mounting bolts.
Put the bolts/carriage pads on the string wires and fish then into place. Then, haul in the hitch and put it basically in place. I always have to do things by myself, so I rested the right half of the hitch on top of the muffler. Here's where it gets difficult - you need to lift the hitch while simultaneously prying back the bumper AND pushing the hitch beyond/over 2 flanges that are welded onto the rear part of the frame (these are what the black plastic piece mounts onto). Once up, the hitch pretty much stays.
Now, align the mounting holes the best you can side to side, and mark where to make the cut on the bumper (the width). Then remove the hitch.
I have a touring model which has the rear hatch sensor, so I reached into the gap between the bumper and plastic piece that holds the sensor wire, and removed the wire to the right side (simply pull it out, no tool required). Then I measured about 1.5" from each of the markings to the rear of the car, connected the ends, then made the cut through the bumper and the sensor plastic bracket using a multi tool. Clean up the edge with a razor knife.
Reinstall the hitch as before, get all the bolts in place/threaded before torquing down.
The black plastic piece you took off first will require some modification, mostly cutting out to account for the fact that the hitch and tow loop are connected. Here I basically put it up, cut, took it down, recut, etc etc. You probably don't want to make the opening too cavernous but ultimately you basically won't see it anyway.
The last steps are to put the black bucket back on, then reconnect the rubber exhaust mounts.
I will say the etrailer version of the hitch with its matte finish looks very OE.
Last note is be sure to wear gloves and be very careful of the exhaust especially muffler - I cut my hands up on the muffler sides, and had to stop to address one of the cuts to avoid bleeding everywhere.
Gwendolyn Y.
10/9/2024
Wow, Jason! Thank you for putting so much of your time into this review. I do see where in our instructions we do not go into detail about the trimming of the under body panel, like the Curt instructions do. I appreciate you pointing that out. I'll get this information over to my product development team so we can upgrade our instructions.
The hitch was delivered today. The Hitch went in with ease, everything lined up as it should. The video instructions and the paper instructions for cutting the bumper are not as clear as they could be. Fortunately I am a retired professional mechanic and smog technician. I just held the hitch up to the CRV and was able to see where to cut and how much. Other than that, it installed without any problems. The Drawtite hitch 76128 did not fit. Thank you etrailer for making my wife happy.
Brooke M.
12/6/2024
We got you, Kenneth! I am sure she is very appreciative of your hard work and know-how, too!
Installed this hitch for a bike rack and it works and looks great. My only complaint is that it was a little difficult to install in the Touring edition of a 2020 Honda CRV. It took some finagling but it eventually fit. The handsfree activated tailgate feature no longer works but I didn't use it much anyways.
Overall, the hitch is fine, but the installation is a bit tricky. I did it myself, without assistance, but I wouldn’t recommend that approach. A second set of hands is essential.
Hitch works great for my bike rack, no issues there.
I do want to point out that the instructions alone are not thorough enough for the average person to install this on a CR-V. I had installed two other hitches from other manufacturers previously on vehicles and those instructions were adequate especially since I did not have to move any parts for the install. You will want to watch the video on the etrailer site and perhaps look on YouTube as well, every bit helps.
The biggest problem I had though was because one of the sides was pushed about 1 inch in. I struggled for awhile until I called for help and they said it could have gotten pushed in. I straightened it out fairly easy by standing on it and tapping it out with a sledgehammer until the measurent at the front was the same as at the back, at the shaft.
I would have given this 5 stars if not for this issue.
Mike
7/31/2024
Works Great. I have been using the hitch for my bike rack and I am so glad I installed it last summer.
You cannot install it yourself! Those who did- you are heroes! The instructions video doesn’t even show how and which way to remove the first rubber that holds the muffler! I spent $[XX] on etrailer for hitch and bike rack, and now will have to pay extra for installation of the hitch. Why don’t you be honest and say that removing the exhaust rubber yourself will take you forever and probably you will fail.
Iryna
8/30/2024
A month later I tried installing it again after buying some tools. I did it by myself, my husband only helped to fit it first time, so I could mark the bumper with marker where to cut. Pry bar helped a lot to remove the rubber bands that hold muffler. Also, I sprayed it with dishwasher liquid mixed with a little bit of water. I used no lift and attached one side of a hitch with chain to be able to do it myself. Very happy with this hitch now. I would put 5 stars but can’t change my first review :
This is a very well made hitch. The instructions and video are lacking information that would save the DIY
‘S a lot of installation time.
If the paper instructions and video would be equal to the quality and cost for the hitch, they would probably have the best in the market.
Third one I’ve purchased and they’ve all been great, fit/finish and hidden very well and their install videos perfect. Use an exhaust hanger removal tool if exhaust needs to be lowered NOT w screwdriver unless u want to sustain an injury……. Excellent company n excellent hitch, period
The quality of the hitch is excellent for my 24 crv. I especially appreciated the customer service for questions on the installation
Very helpful company when ordering my trailer hitch. Box came damaged but I doubt that impacts the hitch. Maybe packaging could be better to allow for rough handling but I don’t really know. Thanks!
recently purchased this hitch for my 2021 Honda CR-V. The main purpose I purchased the hitch is for a hitch mounted bike rack. The CR-V isn’t very accommodating for strap mounted bike racks. As for the installation of the hitch, I would rate it as a 7 with 10 being the most difficult. The etrailer video instructions are good and cover everything I think you should know. The video shows the installation using a car lift. I did the installation with jack stands. I would highly recommend getting the exhaust hanger tool. I did have a couple of different sizes of pry bar’s but the hangers were difficult to release. Also, aligning the CR-V mounting bolts to the hitch mount points took a bit of maneuvering. Otherwise, everything installed pretty much how the video showed it. The hitch looks good as noted in the attached pictures. Overall, I’m very happy with this hitch.
Jenny N.
5/20/2022
It sounds like that the side brackets were knocked out of alignment. This can happen while in transit to our facility or to you. We do have a great FAQ that provides ways to move the brackets back into alignment so the hitch can be installed.
Helpful Links
Dennis C.
5/17/2023
Excellent. Definitely recommend this trailer hitch. But definitely need 2 people to install it. Recommend watching the instruction video a couple of times before installing the hitch.
Excellent piece of equipment. Installation was both professionally done and on time.
Installed the hitch in my driveway without assistance. Required about 1.75 hours to complete. Not an overly technical job, but it’s also not something I’d enjoy having to complete a second time without a second person to assist. The hardest part in my opinion was removing the center muffler support due to space restriction. I found the 2023 CRV install video to be of more help than the 2024 version. I also used the extremely precise bumper and panel cutout measurements from user "skippyho" on the CR-V Owners Club website (thread: MASTER 6th gen CRV Trailer Hitch). The included instructions were generally only helpful in providing the correct torque settings. Overall, I’m happy with the hitch and ease of install.
Torque spec’s for the pass through bolt to the recovery hook are incorrect. Never reached the specified torque before the spacer bar started bending. Stopped before completely bending the spacer bar.. Photograph included with hitch was unclear. Had to go on line to view the color photo.
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David A.
3/21/2025
Works well