New 09 I'm lost on hitch recepticle

3 Honda family · 11-07-2009, 01:49 AM

I just got my new 09 RTL that came with the standard tow stuff. There's the hitch, the pre-wired for trailer harness and pre-wired for the brake controller. I haven't seen a plug receptical like that and there is a package in the glove box with wires and a connector that says something about the controller.
Is the thing in the glove box to facilitate the adding of a brake controller? Do you just plug it into something under the dash and attach the controller wires to it? There is also a fuse in the package.
The receptical has me scratching my head. Does it take a blade type? 4 or 7?
Any help would be appreciated.

07_rtx · 11-07-2009, 02:42 AM

If its like mine, then you can use a 7 (RV style) and a 4 beside it for smaller trailers. There is a plug in under the dash on the drivers side that you plug that harness into and hook it up to your brake controller. The fuse is either an extra or one that is used to power the brake controller. If it gets too confusing just go back to the dealership and have them hook it up or explain it to you better than i did

larryr · 11-07-2009, 05:54 AM

The 09's only have the 7 pin connector - walmart ( and all auto parts places ) sells an 7 to 4 adapter should you need one..

The wire in the glove box is for an optional (you supply) brake controller that plugs in under the drivers dash above the fuse box.

jakeman · 11-07-2009, 02:46 PM

I just got my 7 (RV blade type) to 4 adapter off of Ebay for $5 including shipping. As the others have said the supplied harness ( package in the glove box) is for a brake controller should you need one.

The '09's don't have the 4 pin connector next to the 7 blade connector so you will need the adapter, unless your trailer has a 7 blade RV plug.

firefighter3666 · 11-07-2009, 04:51 PM

Welcome and congrats on the new Ridgeline. Honda's marketing of a truck that is pre-wired for trailers is a bit misleading. What the should say is that the wiring exists from the the rear of the truck to the dash, but you need to spend a few more dollars for everything to work right.

The install instructions for the trailer wiring harness on your truck can be found here: http://www.handa-accessories.com/rid.../09harness.pdf. It's a fairly straight forward project and something you can tackle with a minimal amount of frustration.

Once installed, the brake controller is pretty straight forward as the harness comes with the wiring needed. And as others have said, the 09's come with only a 7 pin receptacle, so you'll need to buy a plug in adapter to run a 4 pin trailer.

e_piph_a_ny · 11-07-2009, 06:33 PM

Hey 3 Honda,

Welcome to the ROC! We have several group buys going on now. One of the advantages for ROC membership. Add pics when you can!

OhioJeffro · 11-07-2009, 10:14 PM

09's come wired, 06-08 you have to get the harness. My '09 (might) be the only one wired with a 7 and a 4 pin, because I moved my harness from my '06 to my '09 when I bought it.

The only thing you may want that isn't wired in the '09 is the brake controller you must supply (as previously stated).

3 Honda family · 11-07-2009, 10:36 PM

Thanks, I found the Subharness for Electric Brake Controller on page 6 that matches the wiring I have in my glove box. So I guess all I need is an adapter if I am not using a 7 blade connector, right?

11-07-2009, 01:49 AM	#1
3 Honda family ROC Rank: Stuffing 2009 RTL Billet Silver Metallic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA Posts: 4	New 09 I'm lost on hitch recepticle I just got my new 09 RTL that came with the standard tow stuff. There's the hitch, the pre-wired for trailer harness and pre-wired for the brake controller. I haven't seen a plug receptical like that and there is a package in the glove box with wires and a connector that says something about the controller. Is the thing in the glove box to facilitate the adding of a brake controller? Do you just plug it into something under the dash and attach the controller wires to it? There is also a fuse in the package. The receptical has me scratching my head. Does it take a blade type? 4 or 7? Any help would be appreciated.

11-07-2009, 02:42 AM	#2
07_rtx ROC Rank: Cranberry 2007 RTX Dark Cherry Pearl Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cookeville,TN Posts: 1,446	Re: New 09 I'm lost on hitch recepticle If its like mine, then you can use a 7 (RV style) and a 4 beside it for smaller trailers. There is a plug in under the dash on the drivers side that you plug that harness into and hook it up to your brake controller. The fuse is either an extra or one that is used to power the brake controller. If it gets too confusing just go back to the dealership and have them hook it up or explain it to you better than i did __________________ 07 RTX 7,100 miles new, TRUXXX 2" lift, Tinted headlights, Smoked euro tails, Pinstriping on tailgate, 245/70/17 BFG MT KM2, 20% window tint, Kenwood DNX7100 in dash, 17" flip down tv from roof, K&N cold air intake, Emergency strobe lights, AVS bug shield and vent visors in channel, 17'" MKW M9 wheels painted flat black, OEM silver roof rack, 5S Dude Cubby Cover, ROC Decal ordered...more to come Here is my build up thread: http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/f...ad.php?t=31690

11-07-2009, 05:54 AM	#3
larryr ROC Rank: Cranberry 2009 RTL White / Beige Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 1,184	Re: New 09 I'm lost on hitch recepticle The 09's only have the 7 pin connector - walmart ( and all auto parts places ) sells an 7 to 4 adapter should you need one.. The wire in the glove box is for an optional (you supply) brake controller that plugs in under the drivers dash above the fuse box. __________________ 2009 White RTL with Gray interior My second Ridgeline. My first was a 2006 RTL Steel Blue with Gray interior. Mud Flaps, AVS bug guard, AVS ventvisors, Sportwing Door Protectors, Donnelly Autodim Compass Mirror, Isimple Ipod attachment.

11-07-2009, 02:46 PM	#4
jakeman ROC Rank: Stuffing 2009 RTS Bali Blue Pearl Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NE PA Posts: 13	Re: New 09 I'm lost on hitch recepticle I just got my 7 (RV blade type) to 4 adapter off of Ebay for $5 including shipping. As the others have said the supplied harness ( package in the glove box) is for a brake controller should you need one. The '09's don't have the 4 pin connector next to the 7 blade connector so you will need the adapter, unless your trailer has a 7 blade RV plug.

11-07-2009, 04:51 PM	#5
firefighter3666 ROC Rank: Mashed Potatoes 2007 RT Nimbus Gray Metallic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 432	Re: New 09 I'm lost on hitch recepticle Welcome and congrats on the new Ridgeline. Honda's marketing of a truck that is pre-wired for trailers is a bit misleading. What the should say is that the wiring exists from the the rear of the truck to the dash, but you need to spend a few more dollars for everything to work right. The install instructions for the trailer wiring harness on your truck can be found here: http://www.handa-accessories.com/rid.../09harness.pdf. It's a fairly straight forward project and something you can tackle with a minimal amount of frustration. Once installed, the brake controller is pretty straight forward as the harness comes with the wiring needed. And as others have said, the 09's come with only a 7 pin receptacle, so you'll need to buy a plug in adapter to run a 4 pin trailer. __________________ 2007 Nimbus Grey RT - Rear Mud Flaps - 15% Tint - USA Spec iPod Adapter

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11-07-2009, 06:33 PM	#6
e_piph_a_ny ROC Rank: Cranberry 2006 RTL Steel Blue / Gray Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: La La Land Posts: 1,643	Re: New 09 I'm lost on hitch recepticle Hey 3 Honda, Welcome to the ROC! We have several group buys going on now. One of the advantages for ROC membership. Add pics when you can! __________________ * POP & LOCK GROUP BUY, $51 (shipping included) * Pop & Lock protects the contents inside a tonneau cover or camper top and also guards against the theft of the tailgate itself, the tail lights or a bed extender. !! Lowest price anywhere !! Click here for more information ORDER TWO! They make great Christmas gifts for your buddies with a Taco or F-150. HO! HO! HO!

11-07-2009, 10:14 PM	#7
OhioJeffro ROC Rank: Turkey Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 194	Re: New 09 I'm lost on hitch recepticle 09's come wired, 06-08 you have to get the harness. My '09 (might) be the only one wired with a 7 and a 4 pin, because I moved my harness from my '06 to my '09 when I bought it. The only thing you may want that isn't wired in the '09 is the brake controller you must supply (as previously stated). __________________ You can have performance. You can have quality. You can have inexpensive. But you only get 2 of the 3.

11-07-2009, 10:36 PM	#8
3 Honda family ROC Rank: Stuffing 2009 RTL Billet Silver Metallic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA Posts: 4	Re: New 09 I'm lost on hitch recepticle Thanks, I found the Subharness for Electric Brake Controller on page 6 that matches the wiring I have in my glove box. So I guess all I need is an adapter if I am not using a 7 blade connector, right?

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