Clearance Differences Between Hitches For A 2026 Honda Odyssey EX-L

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Question:

2026 honda odyssey ex-l. What are the differences between the hitches you offer? some look like there is a bigger offset than other? Thank you for your time

asked by: david b

0

Expert Reply:

Hi David!

There are quite a few hitches offered for your 2026 Honda Odyssey, so I definitely understand wanting to know the differences. There are basically three styles available for you and I have them broken out below:

Exposed Crosstube:
etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2" # e98855
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C13370
Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # 76171
Blue Ox Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # BLU72UR

The exposed crosstube options are going to be a bit less expensive, but they will be fully visible once installed. Most people don't mind this style, but some very strongly dislike it. They don't sit any lower than the actual receiver tube, so it's not like they will lower you ground clearance more than other options. They just aren't as "OEM" looking, for the lack of a better term. Other than the Blue Ox, which we haven't installed yet, these all sat at 13" high (ground to inside top of the receiver), and roughly 3" back from the bumper (measuring to the center of the pin hole). This was all on a 2022 Odyssey as it was the common vehicle between all the install videos we did, so there may be some slight differences on a 2026 model.

Hidden Crosstube:
TowSmart Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # TS73ZR
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C64NR
Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # 76170
EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # 306-X7372

These will have that more stock or OEM look as only the receiver tube will be visible once installed. This tends to be the preferred style people go for due to that. They are a little more expensive than the fully exposed style, but they definitely look nicer. We don't have a common year for the install videos we did with these hitches, but they all actually measured the same when I went through a few of them. When measuring the same way I mentioned in the exposed style hitches, we found these to sit slightly higher at 13.5" and slightly further back at 4.5". We haven't installed the TowSmart yet, but I imagine it will be very similar these numbers once installed.

Completely Hidden:
Hidden Hitch by Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2" # DT76GR

The completely hidden Draw-Tite # DT76GR will be the most hidden, especially when you don't have the receiver portion inserted. You do pay for that though and this is by far the most expensive option. We haven't had the chance to install this one yet, so I can't say exactly where it will sit once installed. From looking at the pictures a customer sent in after having this installed, it does actually look like it has the best bumper clearance, I just can't say exactly what said clearance would be.

With all this being said (sorry it's so long), what are you going to be using the hitch for?

expert reply by: Lazer S

0

Draw-Tite DT76GR Honda Odyssey
(click to enlarge)

David B.

12/4/2025

Thanks for getting back to me. Mostly a bike rack and maybe a small trailer. Thats about it!

Lazer S.

12/4/2025

@DavidB Any of these would be perfect for that! Though I would probably grab the hidden crosstube Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C64NR. It's American made and the price is very good at the moment. Since you mentioned possibly towing, I also recommend grabbing the Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with Upgraded Circuit Protected ModuLite HD Module - 4-Way Flat # 118781. The 4-flat is what the vast majority of small trailers use and with it being a plug and play harness, the install is a cake walk. In my now over a decade of doing this, I have found Tekonsha to make the most reliable and long lived harness in the industry, so it's the one to get!

Answer 1

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Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

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Answer 12

Hey Kp; they pretty much are identical as you observed. Aside from the price, the only real difference here is that Curt tends to add a thicker powder coat finish to their hitches. It is for that reason that I would choose the #C64NR over the #76170…

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Clearance Differences Between Hitches For A 2026 Honda Odyssey EX-L

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