2005 Honda Odyssey Hitch Installation

It's in. I didn't install coolers since this is only for bikes, not towing. The whole procedure took less than two hours and most of it was spent cutting the bumper and cleaning up after the installation. I always like instructions such as "use utility knife to cut bumper" Yea right. They always make it sound so simple. It took me around 40 minutes to cut and trim the cutout. I took my time since one wrong move and I'll have to shell out for a new bumper cover! Putting the right side of the hitch on was tricky since I didn't have room to jack up the van so manuvering the hitch above the exhaust took a bit (70 lbs). But overall, I'm very happy with the installation. I would like to see picture of the hidden hitch that doesn't require cutting of the bumper since there's no room for the hitch to be "hidden" since the wrap-around bumper is flush with the well.

Here's what's in the box


To remove the bumper, the bumper needed to be un-snapped from the panel. This wasn't in the instruction.


Here's how I was able to put the hitch in myself. The jack held up the left side while I put in the right side. I had my kids watching the hitch and the jack to make sure the hitch didn't slide off the jack.


Here's the right side. Note that the hitch had to slide in above the exhaust. The exhaust inteferred with all the bolts so it took a bit longer than it should


Here's how it looked without the bumper.


The bumper after the cut.


The right side with the bumper back on. The mud flap is not tightened back up yet.


The left side.


The finished product without the Honda cap.