Do People Install Your Hitches at Home in Their Driveways?  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hello Marylou,

Thanks for writing in!

The etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98840 is going to be a great fit for your 2022 Honda Pilot, and yes, this is definitely an installation you can tackle right in your driveway.

We have had plenty of people successfully install our etrailer hitches at home. In my case, I actually did mine at the end of my driveway in the street, my driveway has a slope. I could have had our installers do it for me, but anytime I can get my hands on a part and install it myself, that is exactly what I am going to do. I have installed hitches using our lifts before, but I really wanted to see what the experience was like for someone doing it at home.

First I would start by making sure the bolts can go through the frame, sometimes you need to use a wire brush to clean out debris and weld marks. Since I wasn't using a lift, I grabbed a set of jack stands and used those to get the hitch as close to the vehicle as I could before lifting it into place. One tip I definitely recommend is leaving the fishwire on the bolts until you are ready to put the nuts on. That will save you a lot of heartache if a bolt gets bumped back into the frame. I attached a couple of images of my install for you to check out, I am pointing at the fishwire in one of them.

I have a Ford Escape, which is a little smaller than your Pilot, but the overall process is very similar. I actually had to enlarge some holes in my frame during my installation, and you will not have to do that step on your Pilot, so that makes your installation a little easier. I was able to do the install without jacking my car up, I just wish I would have been smart and put a moving blanket down so I would have scraped up my arms =)

The 24x60 etrailer Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - Tilting - Folding - 500 lbs # e98874 and Benton HotMesh Cargo Net for 24x60 Cargo Carriers # B32FR are going to work great with your new hitch. What do you plan on mainly transporting?

Are you doing the install yourself, or do you have some assistance?

expert reply by: Kate F

0

Installing a Hitch
(click to enlarge)

Jack Stands Holding Hitch Up
(click to enlarge)

Hammad S.

10/8/2026

Yeah I have ramps which gave extra 7-8 inches of working space under the vehicle. Otherwise it would be a hard for a person to be under the vehicle and manipulate and position the hitch and apply torque.

Kate F.

10/9/2026

@HammadS The extra 7-8" would help quite a bit!

Jefft

10/8/2026

This hitch was a breeze to install. Extra set of hands helps the job along, but it CAN be done solo!! Love the hitch!

Kate F.

10/9/2026

@Jefft Yes, and extra set of hands would be a huge help =)