Should Trailer Hitch on 2019 Honda Odyssey be Moving

Updated 10/04/2025 | Published 09/08/2024

Question:

2019 Honda odyssey ex-l. Purchased this hitch for use with the velocirax 5x bike rack. Bolts are torqued properly. It looks like the hitch has some play in it. When I pull down slightly on the rack you can see the receiver pull away from the bumper,showing that the receiver isnt completely rigid with the frame. It also does this when driving over bumps with the bikes loaded. Is this a cause for concern? Im used to truck hitches that seem to be completely rigid and in sync with the frame and dont pull away from the bumper. The bike rack and bikes weight roughly 200 lbs combined. Ive also had someone bounce on it while I check the bolts to verify the bolts dont have movement. They are tight.

asked by: Kevin K

Trailer Hitch on 2019 Honda Odyssey
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

Hi Kevin,

The Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98855 should definitely not be moving at all. I'm a bit confused though as you mention the bolts are tight, but if they are fully torqued I can't envision how the hitch is moving in that manner. I've never heard of a hitch doing this, can you see if the frame is flexing somewhat on your Odyssey by chance?

expert reply by: Kyle S

Kevin

9/16/2024

I took it to a metal fabricator. He checked it out and said the bolts and frame aren't moving. It's the bar on the hitch rotating slightly due to how wide it is and the leverage force from the bike rack. Again, the rack is 95lbs and all the bikes combined are 100lbs. So only 200lbs total weight.

Igor

10/4/2025

@Kevin, Mine did the same. Larger load: 270 lbs total. Lolo racks 6-bike rack - 71 lbs plus 200 lbs in bikes and accessories. The hitch ended up bent. The installer and trailer support say the weight limit was exceeded and will not be covered by warranty.