Can Trailer Wiring Harness be Routed and Mounted Outside of a 2010 Honda Odyssey

Updated 03/17/2014 | Published 03/14/2014

Question:

The web page for this part says the following: Installation: Connection point is located behind the driver side tail lights. The 4-pole trailer connector will be stowed next to the hitch. A mounting bracket is recommended. The installation video is for a similiar harness and the trailer connector is stored in the jack storage compartment. How do you route the connector to the outside of the vehicle?

asked by: Ron F

Expert Reply:

For trailer wiring harnesses that have the connector stored inside the vehicle you will just need to pull it out when needed and you can close the rear hatch on the wiring and the weather stripping will protect it. Stay away from the locking mechanism though.

These harnesses were not meant to be routed permanently outside of your 2010 Honda Odyssey. If you wanted to do that any way you would need to remove the flooring, getting down to the bare metal of the cargo area. Then you will need to locate a grommet or some other exit point you can route the 4-Way through. This may require cutting the 4-Way off, routing the wiring, and re-splicing.

If there is no grommet or exit point available, you would have to drill a hole through the bottom of the cargo area careful not to drill through anything on the other side. Then you can route the wiring. In either case you will need to seal up the hole with silicone to keep out moisture and fumes.

Then you could use a simple mounting bracket like # 18144 to attach it to the hitch.

expert reply by: Michael H