| PDJ |
Anyone interested in a Group buy via Tim for the trailer hitch package kit? Kit includes trailer hitch, wiring harness, transmission and power steering coolers (hitch ball not included).
Regular Price $525. Less 10% discount would be $472.50 |
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| davisdog |
| yes...I would be |
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| gewf631 |
Yep - Me Three!
Ed F
H-Blue |
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| cincypilot |
| If you folks can't get enough players to get Tim's deal, handa-accessories.com has it for about $441 plus shipping. For me it was $44 for shipping, $485 total. Not as good as Tim's group buy price, though.:D |
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| RedLex |
| I'm in - any chance we'll get 10? |
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| gewf631 |
Got to make a move on the hitch (just bought a boat this weekend). At last count, we've got 5 people interested in purchasing - any chance we'll get 5 more?
Now's your chance folks!
Ed F
Havasu Blue EX-L |
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| is95aus |
| Is this thing a DIY? I may eventually need the towing capabilities, but near term I would like to use it with a bike rack attached to the hitch. Might be overkill though... |
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| PrG |
http://www.etrailer.com/fitguide.htm
Your right, to do the whole package just for a bike rack is a bit much. Follow the link for great PILOT specific, economical, hitch solutions.
PrG |
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| gewf631 |
It's nice to see some other alternatives, but the price of the hitch itself isn't that much different from the price of the Honda hitch. That site lists the hitch for around $120, plus $20 shipping - if you add the receiver ($20) you're around $160. H and Accessories lists the hitch for $178 plus shipping.
Where the difference REALLY comes-in, is the inflated prices for Honda's trans and p/s coolers ($180 and $160 each). The etrailer site lists the wiring for $30 and the trans cooler for $50. Not knowing what an aftermarket p/s cooler costs, I can only guess that judging from the trans cooler, it would be in the $50 range. Those two alone save you over $200!
Thanks for the etrailer post!
Ed F
Havasu Blue EX-L |
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| PrG |
Yes ... but if you're just getting a hitch to put a bike rack on and not to tow than why go through the trouble with a trans fluid cooler and wiring?
PrG |
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| davemac |
quote:
Originally posted by gewf631
Where the difference REALLY comes-in, is the inflated prices for Honda's trans and p/s coolers ($180 and $160 each). The etrailer site lists the wiring for $30 and the trans cooler for $50. Not knowing what an aftermarket p/s cooler costs, I can only guess that judging from the trans cooler, it would be in the $50 range. Those two alone save you over $200!
Thanks for the etrailer post!
Ed F
Havasu Blue EX-L
Whats even more annoying is that (not only are the "etrailer" coolers way cheaper) they are way more substantial than the Honda ones. |
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| is95aus |
| Thanks for the link PRG...Which one is better, the Hidden Hitch or Max Frame? Are these as good/better than the one Honda offers? Finally, if I just get the hitch now for my current meager needs of hauling bikes around, can I add the PS coolers and wiring later (say in a few years)? Thanks again for all the help! |
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| gewf631 |
Here's a couple other options...
Hitches for Less
Hitch (Draw-Tite) is $110, wiring is $23, trans cooler is $40-$60, shipping to Chicago-area is $30
Hitches 4 Less
Hitch is (Hidden Hitch) $180 Odyssey wiring is $32, shipping is FREE
and for comparison, the etrailer site lists these prices...
$120 Draw-Tite
$100 Hidden Hitch
with shipping (to Chicago area) running about $20
My Internet search for brand-preference have come-up empty. Hopefully there's someone on this board with some experience. Personally, I'm leaning towards the Hidden Hitch, with the pricier trans cooler (they're listed as "High Performance", so they must be better ).
Ed F
Havasu Blue EX-L |
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| davemac |
Run a "search" of this site. I recall someone having some "fit" problems (I think) with the Draw Tite. Anyway, there were photos posted of the Hidden Hitch (which BTW is not so hidden when their large decal is visible for free advertising).
I'd set you up with a link, but its too painstaking to navigate right now with the site being sooo sloowwww. |
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| is95aus |
| I decided to get the drawtite hitch with Redskins hitch cover from etrailer.com. It seemed to be the best overall deal after you factor in shipping ($21.70) for a total of $174.60. I will get the coolers and wiring later since I only need it for hauling all the kids bikes for now. Anyone have a hitch mounted bike carrier that they prefer? I am leaning towards the "matching" drawtite foldable 3 bike carrier... |
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| gewf631 |
Since I was in a searching mood, I decided to see what I could find for trans and p/s coolers.
Prices seemed to hover around that $50 mark - more money usually means a larger cooler and/or a better warranty.
Summit Racing carries a line by Perma-Cool that integrates 2 coolers into one housing. Here's an example of one that lists for around $100 with a lifetime warranty.
Question for those of you who installed the Honda cooler(s) - how big are they? Judging from the installation instructions posted on the H and A site, they sure don't seem like much. The only advantage is that they mount right-up.
Thanks everyone,
Ed F
Havasu Blue EX-L |
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| is95aus |
| Allright, changed plans again...After seing those pictures at the link provided by davemc, I ordered the Hidden Hitch instead. Looks like it is a nice fit, and its only $99.95 at etrailer.com! Thanks for the link davemc! |
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| davemac |
quote:
Originally posted by is95aus
Allright, changed plans again...After seing those pictures at the link provided by davemc, I ordered the Hidden Hitch instead. Looks like it is a nice fit, and its only $99.95 at etrailer.com! Thanks for the link davemc!
:29: By the way, here's another good link. The "search" feature really is a great tool.
http://www.honda-pilot.org/forums/s...ht=hidden+hitch |
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| davemac |
quote:
Originally posted by gewf631
Question for those of you who installed the Honda cooler(s) - how big are they? Judging from the installation instructions posted on the H and A site, they sure don't seem like much. The only advantage is that they mount right-up.
Thanks everyone,
Ed F
Havasu Blue EX-L
Quite Right on both accounts. Not much to them. Copper tubing (like in a refrigerator), only your paying like $30/ ft for it. What is really annoying is that the power steering cooler is only slightly more substantial than the original one it replaces- probably would have cost Honda an extra dollar to provide as standard equipment.:3: |
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| gewf631 |
I sent a message to etrailer, asking the differences between the 2 hitches they carry. Greg B (greg@etrailer.com) responded...
quote:
The main differences between the Draw-Tite and the Hidden Hitch is the paint finish. The Draw-Tite is a glossy black, the Hidden Hitch is a flat black. Both carry a nationwide limited lifetime warranty.
This kind of surprised me, given that the Draw-Tite's shipping weight is 20% greater than the Hidden Hitch (57 vs 46 lbs).
Still, for the hitch, receiver, and ball, either of these will save you about $50 vs. the Honda.
Ed F
Havasu Blue EX-L |
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| N_Jay |
They don't pick up the rear center support.
I don't know why Honda put it there if it is not needed.
Maybe its a crash test issue?
Maybe its a long term durability issue?
Maybe its just over design.
I know I had to add a center connection on my CR-V aftermarket hitch to support a load platform. |
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| gewf631 |
Greg at etrailer.com sent me another message, clarifying a few more of the differences...
quote:
The shipping weights have been updated. The Hidden Hitch packaging weights a little more. The Draw-Tite attaches in 8 points. The Hidden Hitch in 6.
Their site now lists the Draw-Tite at 49 lbs, and the Hidden at 50 lbs. Those changes bring-down the shipping costs slightly.
Ed F
Havasu Blue EX-L |
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| Chaspat |
My salesman at Honda told me the Pilot was pre-wired for trailering.
From what I'm hearing here, is that it's not, which was you need to install the wiring harness. Is that a smaller job than it sounds? |
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| N_Jay |
It is pre-wired, meaning the trailer harness plugs in with no cutting or other modifications.
It is not Pre-Equipped |
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