I bought the Honda OEM hitch, and attempted to install it today. I followed the directions, and installed the left and right stays in the frame. The trailer hitch was then bolted under the two stays. So far no problem. Then I attempted to install the u bolt. Too short. No way to get the u bolt thru the hook plate of the trailer hitch. I reversed direction and reinstlled the hitch so the side plates were above the stays...but that did not work either. Couldn't line it up. Checked the manual...yes, I had been following it all along. Funny thing, either way the hitch slopes down at about a 20 degree angle...shouldn't it be straight out?

Is it me...or did I get a screwed up u bolt...as in too short. I'm considering on hitting the hardware store and finding a longer u bolt tomorrow...but Darn...didn't I pay a premium for excellent Honda engineering. What is this...

Anyone else have this problem, or am I missing something too simple to figure out?

Does the hitch hook plate fit snug against the towloop? I haven't looked at the actual hitch, but from the instructions, it looks like the hook plate should press on the lower size of the towloop.

Also are the right and left stays installed correctly? With the flat sides down?

From pictures I have seen the hitch receiver should be about level with the tailpipe.

paulj

Nope, the hook plate doesn't fit against the tow hook. I have been thinking about the stay plates. Yes, the flat sides are down, but is there a definate left and right side? I looked at them before I installed them, and thought they were exactly the same, but if there is a pitch to the flat, then maybe reversing them would do the trick. Decided to try it the first thing in the am. Sure hope that works.

From the instructions it looks like the 2 pins on each stay plate are a different distance from the top edge of the plate. The forward pin on each plate should be closer to the top of the plate. This will compensate for the slope in the frame rails, and bring the bottoms of the stay plates closer to horizontal.

paulj

You're right Paulj. It does appear in the manual that the stay pins are different. That has got to be it. I will reverse the stay plates in the am and let you know.