Comparing the Different Class III Trailer Hitches for a 2020 Honda Odyssey  

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When it comes to hitches for your 2020 Honda Odyssey, there are three styles of hitches that you're going to encounter- either a visible cross tube, a concealed cross tube, or a completely hidden hitch. All of the available hitches for your vehicle are going to provide you with a 2" receiver and allow you to tow the maximum capacity allowed with your Odyssey, which is 3500-lbs. These three styles provide different looks and provide different advantages depending on how they're going to be used most frequently.

The 2 visible cross tube design hitches for your 2020 Honda Odyssey are the Curt # C13370 and the etrailer # e98855. The visible cross tube hitches will provide you with a hitch that is easier to install when compared to the concealed cross tube hitches, or the hidden, are slightly better suited for using hitch mounted accessories like bike racks (but this difference is very small in most cases). This is because the receiver is closer to the rear bumper and you don't have to concern yourself as much with finding a hitch mounted bike rack that won't bump into the rear of the vehicle when folded up. Additionally, you run the risk of bottoming out on the hitch when pulling in and out of driveways with high lips or going over speed bumps when you have a visible cross tube hitch. At the end of the day, ease of installation is the biggest benefit between the two.

There are 2 concealed crosstube hitches available in the Draw-Tite # 76170 and the EcoHitch # 306-X7372. These hitches are great choices when you don't like the look of a hitch hanging off the rear of your vehicle. You'll still be able to use hitch mounted accessories because in most cases, the difference in clearance from the bumper is negligible. For reference, the Draw-Tite # 76170 has 4-1/2" from the rear bumper to the center of the hitch pin hole. In comparison to a visible cross tube hitch, a concealed tube hitch installs behind the bumper, which requires a more invasive and detailed installation process. You'll gain some ground clearance and provide your vehicle with a much cleaner look for your vehicle, so if there is a concealed tube available, I usually tend to lean in this direction.

When it comes to choosing between the Draw-Tite # 76170 and the EcoHitch # 306-X7372 I recommend going with the Draw-Tite because it has a higher tongue weight capacity than the EcoHitch and comes in at a slightly more friendly price point. The installation of both hitches is going to be the same process; I've attached an installation video on the Draw-Tite hitch on a Honda Odyssey for you to have a look at and help you decide if a concealed cross tube hitch installation is something you feel comfortable tackling yourself. Since you'll be carrying a bike rack, you'll want to measure the distance between the hitch pin hole on the 2" receiver shank on your bike carrier to the closest vertical part of your carrier to make sure that you have at least 4-1/2". For reference, the Thule Hitching Post Pro # TH934XTR has 13-1/2" from the center of the hitch pin hole to the center mast of the rack- so you'll have no issues.

expert reply by: Erik B

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