BigFoot48
12-15-2007, 05:38 PM
Hmmm, I've rarely been first at anything!
Introduction and Installing Adapter
I recently purchased a 2007 Odyssey and had the dealer install the Honda towing package as part of the negotiated purchase price. To complete the package for towing the small RV trailer we have, I installed the trailer brake controller and battery charging wire. This is that story.
I had done the same job on our 2004 Element, and it is not particularly difficult although the fit and finish of the Odyssey required me to modify my intended method.
Task #1: Install a 7-pin trailer socket to replace the 4-pin socket that came from Honda.
I picked a "4 to 7 pin adapter" at Wal-Mart. I got the one that has both the 7-pin socket and a 4-pin socket (for utility trailers), for about $23. This is fairly pricey because of the double socket. If you don't anticipate needing the 4-pin socket, or are willing to just unplug the Honda connector from the adapter should you ever need it, you can get a less expensive adapter.
It looks like this installed:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/Bigfoot48/OdysseyBrakeController9.jpg
The existing Honda 4-pin plugs into a female socket on the wire harness, leaving only three wires to be hooked up: brake, charging and ground. There is a fourth wire which is for trailer back-up lights, but I don't use it (currently!) so it remains unattached.
The wires coming out of the socket have "bullet" connectors but I was unable to find crimp-on connectors to match so I ended up cutting off these provided connectors and using insulated male/female connectors from Ace Hardware. Cutting off the connectors also allowed me to adjust the wire lengths, so not totally a negative.
Mounting this hitch socket on the Honda bracket was a bit of a challenge. I ended up using a 3" "L" shaped shelf bracket and the existing hole on the Honda bracket.
Task #2: Install +12 volt power line for trailer
A 12V power line is used primarily to charge the trailer battery while the car is running.
On my Element I was able to find a grommeted hole in the firewall and feed the charging line through that, along the inside of the car, and out the back to the hitch.
No such luck with the Odyssey. This firewall is the most closed, tight and secure I've ever seen, and openings are few and far between. One person on this forum said he found a wire harness opening behind the glovebox and used that. I saw that wire bundle but didn't want to remove the glovebox and assorted items.
So, I went underneath the car. This is not my preferred method, and I'm not real happy about it, but I believe the wire is safe and secure, and will probably not get damaged and explode the car.
Other trailer owners with Odysseys have done the under-car route with no problems, so that egged me along.
Here's the picture of the wire connecting to the battery.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/Bigfoot48/OdysseyBrakeController8-1.jpg
The wire is 10-gauge purchased at Ace. (Red would have been a better color.) There is a 30-amp fuse from AutoZone that starts the line by connecting to the battery with the handy screw that is there. It is then connected to the 20' of wire (20' is "just" enough, I recommend 25') via crimped connectors that have heat-shrinkable insulation. (An expensive connector I saw at AutoZone and just had to try. Back to regular heat-shrink tubing next time.)
You can see the wire heading to the right where it goes around the air filter and back toward the center of the firewall. It then goes down where I found some other cables and wires protected by a skidplate. I loosened the skid plate (its small) to get the wire fed behind it, then it is run back along side the frame member.
Sliding under the car and running this wire, attaching it to other cables or wires using zip-ties, is a bit of a pain. It would be a breeze on a lift or ramps, and I recommend that if you go this route.
Here's a picture under the rear bumper on the driver's side where the charging wire joins up with the brake wire, ground wire, and the Honda-installed wire bundle to head to the hitch which is that thing in the background.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/Bigfoot48/OdysseyBrakeController18.jpg
Introduction and Installing Adapter
I recently purchased a 2007 Odyssey and had the dealer install the Honda towing package as part of the negotiated purchase price. To complete the package for towing the small RV trailer we have, I installed the trailer brake controller and battery charging wire. This is that story.
I had done the same job on our 2004 Element, and it is not particularly difficult although the fit and finish of the Odyssey required me to modify my intended method.
Task #1: Install a 7-pin trailer socket to replace the 4-pin socket that came from Honda.
I picked a "4 to 7 pin adapter" at Wal-Mart. I got the one that has both the 7-pin socket and a 4-pin socket (for utility trailers), for about $23. This is fairly pricey because of the double socket. If you don't anticipate needing the 4-pin socket, or are willing to just unplug the Honda connector from the adapter should you ever need it, you can get a less expensive adapter.
It looks like this installed:
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/Bigfoot48/OdysseyBrakeController9.jpg
The existing Honda 4-pin plugs into a female socket on the wire harness, leaving only three wires to be hooked up: brake, charging and ground. There is a fourth wire which is for trailer back-up lights, but I don't use it (currently!) so it remains unattached.
The wires coming out of the socket have "bullet" connectors but I was unable to find crimp-on connectors to match so I ended up cutting off these provided connectors and using insulated male/female connectors from Ace Hardware. Cutting off the connectors also allowed me to adjust the wire lengths, so not totally a negative.
Mounting this hitch socket on the Honda bracket was a bit of a challenge. I ended up using a 3" "L" shaped shelf bracket and the existing hole on the Honda bracket.
Task #2: Install +12 volt power line for trailer
A 12V power line is used primarily to charge the trailer battery while the car is running.
On my Element I was able to find a grommeted hole in the firewall and feed the charging line through that, along the inside of the car, and out the back to the hitch.
No such luck with the Odyssey. This firewall is the most closed, tight and secure I've ever seen, and openings are few and far between. One person on this forum said he found a wire harness opening behind the glovebox and used that. I saw that wire bundle but didn't want to remove the glovebox and assorted items.
So, I went underneath the car. This is not my preferred method, and I'm not real happy about it, but I believe the wire is safe and secure, and will probably not get damaged and explode the car.
Other trailer owners with Odysseys have done the under-car route with no problems, so that egged me along.
Here's the picture of the wire connecting to the battery.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/Bigfoot48/OdysseyBrakeController8-1.jpg
The wire is 10-gauge purchased at Ace. (Red would have been a better color.) There is a 30-amp fuse from AutoZone that starts the line by connecting to the battery with the handy screw that is there. It is then connected to the 20' of wire (20' is "just" enough, I recommend 25') via crimped connectors that have heat-shrinkable insulation. (An expensive connector I saw at AutoZone and just had to try. Back to regular heat-shrink tubing next time.)
You can see the wire heading to the right where it goes around the air filter and back toward the center of the firewall. It then goes down where I found some other cables and wires protected by a skidplate. I loosened the skid plate (its small) to get the wire fed behind it, then it is run back along side the frame member.
Sliding under the car and running this wire, attaching it to other cables or wires using zip-ties, is a bit of a pain. It would be a breeze on a lift or ramps, and I recommend that if you go this route.
Here's a picture under the rear bumper on the driver's side where the charging wire joins up with the brake wire, ground wire, and the Honda-installed wire bundle to head to the hitch which is that thing in the background.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/Bigfoot48/OdysseyBrakeController18.jpg