Will B&W Trailer Hitch Receiver Interfere With Hands Free Sensor on 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Updated 04/19/2026 | Published 02/15/2026

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(21)

$173.90

EcoHitch Stealth Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

(2)

$523.13

Question:

I have a new 26 Honda CR-V AWD Sport Touring Hybrid which has the tailgate lift sensor. Will this hitch interfere with that sensor function? Thanks.

asked by: Eric

Expert Reply:

Hey Eric! The B&W Trailer Hitch # BW97BR won't cause you to lose the hands free functionality on your 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring. What it will do is block the sensor right in the middle where the receiver sits. The same is true for pretty much any hitch you install on the CR-V. Placing your foot on either side of the receiver will still activate the sensor.

The only exception is the EcoHitch Stealth # EH25KR. This has a removable receiver so it will only interfere when the receiver is attached to the hitch. The price is quite a bit higher, but you also get a clean look when you aren't towing or carrying accessories. If it were me, I would deal with the partial loss where the receiver sits and save some money.

What will you be using the hitch for?

expert reply by: Robin H

B&W Trailer Hitch
(click to enlarge)

Eric

2/19/2026

Hey, Robin. Thank you so much for your reply. I agree, losing functionality only where the receiver is, is pretty insignificant in my mind. The hitch will only be used to attach a Thule double bike rack for traditional bikes, not e-bikes so the load is minimal.

Robin H.

2/19/2026

@Eric perfect, that’ll be a great setup. Even if you had e-bikes it wouldn't be a problem for the # BW97BR. If you need anything else don't hesitate to reach out!

Eric

3/10/2026

Unfortunately, the B&W hitch did to fit on my 2025 CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring. It pushed the lower bumper cover out and I would have had to cut too much of the hands-free kick sensor.

Eric

3/10/2026

See my review of the B&W Trailer Hitch # BW97BR for more details and photos.

Eric

4/19/2026

Hi, Robin. I just not got around to installing the BW97BR on our 26 Honda CR-V AWD Sport Touring Hybrid. I need to bring to your attention that the cross bar of the hitch and the tailgate lift sensor are incompatible. There is a housing on the driver's side of the tail gate lift sensor assembly where the connectors plug into that interferes with the cross bar of the hitch and not by just a little bit. There is just no way they can live together. Additionally, the bumper facia would need to be trimmed back deep into the sensor bar and probably well past where the long tube-like sensor sits. I removed the sensor and did need to also trim the bumper facia beyond the instructions to accommodate the safety loops on both sides of the hitch. Just wanted to let you know.