Is It Safe to Route 4-Pole Trailer Wiring Harness Through Rear Hatch on 2010 Honda CR-V

Updated 06/27/2017 | Published 06/25/2017

Question:

Just installed a DrawTite 2inch receiver hitch on my 2010 Honda CRV. Have the CURT wiring harness ready for installation, but I dont like the idea of hanging the wire out the back hatch while in use. In fact one reason I preferred the DrawTite hitch was the plate that is designed to attach the 4 wire connector. To do so would require routing the wiring under the vehicle. I couldnt find a video describing this process. Does anyone have a suggestion to make this as easy as installing the hitch was?

asked by: Kenneth B

Expert Reply:

Some hitches do provide a small bracket for mounting a wiring harness such as a 4-pole flat connector like that on # C55106. However, mounting any trailer connector outside the vehicle does tend to expose it to the elements and potential damage. Water, salt and road debris do tend to speed up wear and tear and the potential for corrosion that can lead to electrical connectivity problems.

When our tech installed this harness in a 2010 CR-V, please see the linked video, he did not route it through the floor pan because there is no simple way to do this on this specific vehicle. Some model years may have a rubber grommet that allows routing the plug out to the hitch but as noted you really are better off protecting that connector when it is not in use. The rubber molding on the hatch will protect the wire even when the hatch is closed on it.

expert reply by: Adam R