Hi Everyone!

Monday night I ordered a Hidden Hitch trailer hitch and wiring harness for my EX from http://www.HitchesOnline.com for only $176.87 which includes the shipping fee. I got home from work today and it was sitting on my front porch. :shock: Wow!! From online purchase to delivery in two days!

The hitch look virtually identical to the Honda hitch and bolts onto the frame just like the factory hitch, even uses the same holes. The electronics consist of a Powerline Smart converter and wiring kit that looks extremely simple to install. Nothing like the factory harness. :P

I'll post pictures of the hitch and wiring setup later. I intend to take pictures of the installation, which I will post as well.

Later Dudes!!

I’m curious how the aftermarket wire harness worked out?

I'd like to know how hard it was to install????

I installed the Hidden Hitch and wiring harness on my EX today!! The hitch installation is only about a twenty minute job at the most. Extremely easy! :D

The wiring harness installation took about five hours. :shock: It requires just about the same procedure as the factory harness.

Here is a link of some pictures I took of the installation. http://community.webshots.com/user/rayjean1996

Later Dudes!

wow... looks really nice... thanks for the info and photos!

Anyone spot a 2 inch class 3 receiver for the Element. Not that I want to pull a boat but there are neat accessories like towhooks, winches, plugs, racks etc you can get for 2 inchers.

5 hours to put in the harness???? It only took us an hour. Did you not buy the harness that just plugs into the plug on the passenger side rear panel?
You are right, the hitch installes very quickly but make sure you get the correct harness that just plugs in. There is no spicing involved, just one plug.

We probably won't get a 2' inch, but someone makes converters that changes from 2" to 11/4" and from 1 1/4" to 2". The are about 12" long. I saw them when I got my hitch installed and they were $40 each.

I also got the "Hitchesonline" hitch and it arrived in three days and was simple to install. (Hint: If you are installing alone, use the packing box to support the hitch while installing). I have already pulled a small speed boat with it...no problem! I also got a great three-bike rack from a company named "Allen". It has better features than the Thule bike rack and it hold THREE bikes. It is seriously BUILT!!! Their tel.# (Allen) is: 800-722-5536. (I paid $109.00 for the bike rack). (And I am NOT affiliated with Allen...my bike shop recommended them).
Question: Where do I find a wiring harness that just plugs in??? :D

I found more information on the Allen Bike Racks at
www.allenracks.com

I'm ready to order Hidden hitch but its slightly different from Honda. The Honda one leaves the tow hook exposed to the rear. Is this important later for any reason? The hidden hitch is higher and looks better though. Any thoughts. :?:

I got the Honda wiring harness. It plugs in but you have to take off so much stuff including the bumper. To do a good job it would take an afternoon I for me.

Draw-Tite says the CR-V sportframe hitch will fit the Element. This is what the hitch dealer installed on mine. It works, but the problem with this sportframe is it's a class I hitch vs. a class II, and a lot of accessories will not fit the sportframe hitch. It also sits back a little bit and with the drawbar and ball attached it leaves very little room to put a trailer on without scraping the bumper. I should have gotten the Hidden Hitch and put it on myself. If you go to a hitch dealer, ask for the Hidden Hitch model.