tow hitch

[worthington]

I want to put a tow hitch on my new 2008 but don't want to go to dealer. Has anyone found an after market harness for the new truck? Any suggestions.

[Stranger]

Worthington,

You can get the OEM hitch from HandA (http://www.handa-accessories.com/ridgeline.html) with complete installation instructions.

[Webwader]

Aftermarket hitches and wiring harness are available from etrailer.com.

[bobtwhite]

Installing the tow hitch and wiring harness are good do it yourself jobs. I put both of mine in successfully with the help of my wife. I do recommend having a helper to hold the hitch if you install it yourself. The only tools I needed to add to my collection was a torque wrench and a larger socket. I used the instructions that are available online from H&A or Bernardi.

[worthington]

Thanks for the information. I will check them out as I want to install myself. My concern was that when I went to the local U haul dealer they said the 2008 RL was different than the previous models.

[Webwader]

My concern was that when I went to the local U haul dealer they said the 2008 RL was different than the previous models.
UHaul was wrong again. They probably install more hitches than anyone else, but from my experience, that doesn't make them experts.

[cjr2]

The U-haul hitch doesn't have as many mounting points as others but I've been happy with mine. here's my experiance, good luck!!
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16910

[wrenrj1]

There are some things that are OEM that I would buy, one is the tow hitch. Like another post, try Handa and install yourself. IMHO it's worth a few extra bucks.

[mazzuca66]

I installed a Honda hitch on my 08 Ridge yesterday at my shop. If you can get a shop to order it for you my cost was $370.00 with the harness included. Install takes about 1.5 hours. The only flaw was I had to tap the 6by 1.0 hole in the column to mount the control box. You do not have to remove the lower cover as per instructions. Just look above the brake pedal to see the connectors wrapped with green tape.

[Drewman]

Installed the Curt Hitch this past weekend, Ordered from Hitchsource.com for $110 plus $26 S&H. Ordered Thursday, it was on my porch by 5pm Friday. Wow! There were some minor alignment issues that were easily solved using a tapered drift pin to pry the hitch into alignment- I mean, REALLY easy to solve. A long handled screwdriver would've worked too. I was able to use the stock muffler hanger too- without modification. It looks great- the side-to-side bar doesn't hang down below the bumper like the Honda/Hidden Hitch/Reese/U-Haul hitches - only the receiver is visible.

Regarding the wiring Harness - after reading all the posts on this topic from our esteemed fellow members, I decided to go factory- just as well too- as a bad ground on my buddy's trailer caused some arcing and blew the a fuse in the auxillary fuse box. It was a quick fix (both the ground and the fuse). I wonder if the same problem would have blown the brakelight fuse if I'd used one of the T-connector harnesses? I'd just be speculating.

I found the OEM harness online at www.hondapartscheap.com for $126.93 - search for 08L91-SJC-100 (they have the old part number listed). then printed out the info and took it to my dealer. Asked nicely if they would match the online price as I'd like to give them my business. They agreed, and I was out the door in 5 minutes.

To summarize-
Hitch- $136
Harness - $126.75
Reese Drawbar, Ball & Pin (Home Depot) $19.95

Total: ~$282 - cheaper than the OEM hitch alone! (and before anyone starts- a Class III hitch, is a Class III hitch, is a Class III hitch).

Happy Towing!

[VoicesInMyHead]

...(and before anyone starts- a Class III hitch, is a Class III hitch, is a Class III hitch)

Unless it's a Class 3 hitch... then it's a whole new ball game.;)

[John32070]

Got the U-Haul hitch for $125, but had dealer put on wiring/plug ins just to be safer than sorry. Only problem is the U-haul doesn't have a place to mount the plug ins.

[haljulaj88]

just installed aftermarket tow hitch. paid $120 from ebay and it fit perfectly!!
I am going to use the "T" connector for the wiring harness since the "prewired" one is not as easy as installing the wiring harness. only towing a small trailer.
i have an 07 and the holes to the hitch were perfect.
i had to also remove the small guard above the muffler to install the hitch. it was only held on with only four small bolts. :rolleyes:

[Horm]

[QUOTE=Drewman;270039]Installed the Curt Hitch this past weekend, Ordered from Hitchsource.com for $110 plus $26 S&H. Ordered Thursday, it was on my porch by 5pm Friday. Wow! There were some minor alignment issues that were easily solved using a tapered drift pin to pry the hitch into alignment- I mean, REALLY easy to solve. A long handled screwdriver would've worked too. I was able to use the stock muffler hanger too- without modification. It looks great- the side-to-side bar doesn't hang down below the bumper like the Honda/Hidden Hitch/Reese/U-Haul hitches - only the receiver is visible.

Sounds like your Curt Hitch worked out well.
That's good news, I just ordered one on Friday, but they are back ordered for 2 weeks, I'm in no hurry, so no big deal.
It looks like they are well made and you can't beat the price!

[ocb_dave_ocb]

Got my hidden hitch from E-Trailer for $207.xx I paid for express shipping I ordered on Monday at 1 pm it was here Wed. at 5:30 pm I bought the draw bar kit at walmart had the ball, reciever, pin and clip for $19.99 so for < $230 I bought and installed my own hitch on my 07 in < 30 minutes