Ekhart trailer hitch

4584 Views 31 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Carvemeister, Jul 29, 2003

jarcher

Discussion Starter · Oct 15, 2001

Has anyone heard of a trailer hitch by Ekhart? Someone on the edmunds.com Odyssey town hall spoke highly of this hitch. I questioned the person that made the post but they have not responded and I can't come up with any hits on a internet search.

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02 RP EX-L on the way

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

johnkalajian

· #2 · Oct 15, 2001

I have used Eckhart hitches since 1985. They make a good product, and it is not expensive. They have several stores in southern California, and a website too-http://www.eckharts.com/

darelldd

· #3 · Oct 15, 2001

I've just emailed them to see if they'll be making a hitch for the Odyssey. Might be some group buy potential here.

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-= Darell =-
2002 Ody EXL-Nav (TW) ordered, and now maybe coming on November 2!
2001 Civic EX

adam1991

· #4 · Oct 15, 2001

I'd be interested in a hitch purely for the sake of hanging a bike carrier on it.

Does anyone have any experience in this?

dsgp

· #5 · Oct 15, 2001 (Edited)

*

jarcher

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 15, 2001

Thanks John for the URL for Eckharts. That was about all I didn't try was Eckhart with an s in the address bar. Imagine that!

Darell, let me know what you hear from them!

Just ordered from HandA door edge guards (RP), splash guards, wheel locks, cargo tray and cross bars in preparation for the new arrival.

I went ahead and had the dealer install the cassette deck in order to get the warranty on it. We have incredibly bad luck with cassette decks.

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02 RP EX-L coming soon, right after Ody's.

ody

· #7 · Oct 15, 2001

So has Dennis found your Ody yet? Sounds like it based on what you said about the cassette deck! I assume you did not get the NAV system too- since I have not figured out where the cassette deck would go with NAV.
I am considering ordering the Yakima crossbars (DoubleCross or RailRiders) rather than the factory crossbars. I've had Yakima racks before and loved 'em!
Yeah, Eckhart hitches have been around forever and should be an excellent choice, although I have not personally owned one before.

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RRP EX Navi on the way-finally!
Forget world peace-visualize using your turn signal!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

jarcher

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 15, 2001

Ody...
Our Odyssey was supposed to have been built last week according to Dennis. It will likely arrive in CA around the first week of November so he says. Based on your experience, is that realistic? I'll probably call him later in the week if I don't hear from him first.
I'm having Dennis install the hitch and all the prerequisites. I'll investigate the Eckhart hitch and I may change it out if it is that much better.
My wife was hoping to have the new Odyssey for her semi-annual trip to Palm Springs with the girls the weekend of the 26th. Too bad! Maybe it'll come early and I'll have it for the weekend! Now that would be cool!
No NAV for us. I think I'd still rather do the guy thing and not ask for directions (electronic or not)!

I'll do something about an entertainment system later. I think I prefer something portable.

[This message has been edited by jarcher (edited 10-15-2001).]

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BobbyC

· #9 · Oct 15, 2001

Jarcher,

I just bought a Hidden Hitch from etrailer.com for my 2001 GG EX for $99.95. I like the look of it(tubular) better than the Honda version(rectangular). It is painted a gray color also which adds to its appeal IMHO. It looks like it will be pretty simple to install (6 bolts - which came with the hitch - 18MM -- instructions say 19MM). It doesn't come with the wiring harness like the Honda hitch does but you can get one from them for $25. I don't really have a need for one since I'm only going to be using the hitch for a bike carrier but I purchased one just in case. Freight to GA was around $20. Delivered price was $144. Someone has pics of this hitch installed on this board somewhere.

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BobbyC

'01 GG EX

jarcher

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 15, 2001

BobbyC...
Thanks for the tip. I've seen the Hidden Hitch as well. I figure I can install a different hitch if I really want it and unload the Honda hitch on e-bay or something.
We tow a tent trailer and a catamaran currently...not at the same time of course. I need the trans cooler and pwr steering cooler. I couldn't purchase just the harness and coolers from Honda, had to get the whole nine yards. I'm not fond of working on engines therefore I'm willing to pay Honda for installation. Additionally, if any of that stuff causes me any grief later then Honda is on the hook, end of story.
My old Volvo has a tubular hitch which is truly hidden and was super simple to install. All you can see is the receiver on the Volvo. I haven't seen anything like that yet for the Odyssey.

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02 RP EX-L Odyssey

sinbad

· #11 · Oct 15, 2001

dsgp, I have the Honda class III hitch. My ball mount is really a lose fit in the receiver -- it makes one H-of a clanking racket, esp. upon acceleration and braking.

I don't know who makes the OEM hitch.

How does the ball mount fit on your Draw Tite compare?

Also, the OEM hitch requires a metal shim between the frame and the hitch at the rear-most bolts on each side. I can't figure out why this space was not taken into account when designing the hitch. Does the Draw Tite hitch require any shims?

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2002 TW EX; Weathertechs; Splash; 4X Pioneer 1695's; Hella Supertone Horns; Hitch w/ Transmission & Power Steering Coolers; 2001 Five-spoke Alloy Wheels.
2000 Honda CBR 929 RR

dsgp

· #12 · Oct 17, 2001

sinbad, at this point I'm only using the hitch for my bike rack - no plan to put a ball on it. It has a "quickhitch" system that uses a threaded bolt and it locks up tight against the receiver. I'll be testing out in the real world next week. To your question, I've seen an accessory called a "CLASS III-V ANTI RATTLE DEVICE" which may help. Every hitch manufacturer seems a have a version of it although they all look the same. Here's the link:

http://www.hiddenhitch.com/images/products/small/51943.jpg

darelldd

· #13 · Oct 17, 2001

Still no word back from Eckharts. I may have to break down and <gast> call them. I hate it when company doesn't answer their emails...

------------------
-= Darell =-
2002 Ody EXL-Nav (TW) ordered, and now maybe coming on November 2!
I haven't had a date in months (well, years actually, but that's a different story)
2001 Civic EX

sinbad

· #14 · Oct 17, 2001

dsgp, trying to figure out how the anti rattle works. Not entirely clear from th pic. Thanks.

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2002 TW EX; Weathertechs; Splash; 4X Pioneer 1695's; Hella Supertone Horns; Hitch w/ Transmission & Power Steering Coolers; 2001 Five-spoke Alloy Wheels.
2000 Honda CBR 929 RR

darelldd

· #15 · Oct 17, 2001

I'm pretty sure that device slips over the square end of the draw bar, then the thumbwheel puts some tension on the receiver flange, connecting the two units together through tension and friction. Think of it as having somebody running along side your trailer hitch, pushing down on it to keep constant pressure on your draw bar that will in turn keep the whole system from rattling so much.

When the draw bar slips into the square receiver, there is a bit of play by design.

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-= Darell =-
2002 Ody EXL-Nav (TW) ordered, and now maybe coming on November 2!
I haven't had a date in months (well, years actually, but that's a different story)
2001 Civic EX

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[This message has been edited by darelldd (edited 10-17-2001).]

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dsgp

· #16 · Oct 18, 2001

Thanks darelldd. I couldn't have explained it any better.

2002 RRP EX

dmicpa

· #17 · Oct 20, 2001

I bought my Ody with the factory hitch and went to Eckhart for something else. The Eckhart guy pointed out so many flaws in the honda hitch that I told him to take it off and replace it with the Eckhart hitch. the final product was excellent. You can't see anything but the little square hole, the rest of it is hidden.

I took the factory hitch back to the Honda dealer and got a refund. They agreed that the Eckhart looked substantially better.

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2001 EX, White, Trailer Hitch, Back-up Sensor, Heartland Console, Mudflaps,comp/temp Mirror,Muth signal side mirrors

ryan baca

· #18 · Oct 20, 2001

dnmcpa,
Any chance of posting a picture of the Ekhart hitch? I need to do a hitch sometime in the future and have been wanting something better looking than the Honda hitch. By the way, was the cost reasonable and what electrical adapter did they use? Thanks.

blakeinhou

· #19 · Oct 20, 2001

interesting dmicpa-I would be curious to know some of the things that Eckhart pointed out about the Honda hitch. Would also love to see pics of your hitch.

Jim F

· #20 · Oct 20, 2001

Same here. I'm about to order a hitch within the next couple of days and would like to know more about the Ekhart.

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Jim
'01 GG EX w/stuff
'93 Nissan Sentra SE-R with more stuff

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