How to Install a trailer hitch on 2014 Honda CR-V

How to install a trailer hitch on 2014 Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V fourth generation: 2012-2016
In this video, I'm installing an Torklift EcoHitch trailer hitch to be used for hauling bikes. The trailer hitch shown in this video is a Torklift EcoHitch for the 2012-2016 Honda CR-V, item no. X7297. After the installation, this video shows you various options for using a trailer hitch and bike racks on your Honda CR-V, including measurements for ground clearance to the bottom of the trailer hitch, to the bottom of the bike rack, and to the bottom of the bike tires.
I show the trailer hitch with a Maxxhaul 50397 Trailer Hitch Riser mounted to the EcoHitch. I also show the trailer hitch with a Maxxhaul 50025 Hitch Mount 2-Bike Rack and with a Yakima FullTilt Tilting Hitch 5-Bike Rack.
The broken Honda bumper clips I mentioned in the video (3 of them along the bottom underside of the bumper) were replaced with Honda OEM part #91505-TM8-003.
This video is not sponsored in any way by Honda, Torklift, Maxxhaul, or Yakima.
Here are the part numbers and ASIN (Amazon) info for all parts shown in the video:
1. Torklift Ecohitch for 2014 Honda CR-V, Item No. X7297, 2-inch receiver, rated at 525 lbs. tongue weight at the receiver
2. MaxxHaul 50397 Trailer Hitch Riser with 4-inch rise/drop, fits 2-inch hitch receivers and has a 500 lbs. tongue weight (search Amazon for ASIN B08F2YFVBM)
3. MaxxHaul 70050 Trailer Hitch Lock, heavy duty 5/8" hitch locking receiver pin, fits 2-inch hitch receivers (search Amazon for ASIN B008CE0ZJM)
4. MaxxHaul 50023 Hitch Tightener Anti Rattle Stabilizer for 1.25-inch to 2-inch hitches (search Amazon for ASIN B07JDD8L3H)
5. MaxxHaul 50025 Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack, hitch adapter fits standard 1.25-inch and 2-inch hitch receivers, 100 lbs. capacity (search Amazon for ASIN B07G5VLMN1)
6. Yakima FullTilt Tilting Hitch Bike Rack (up to 5 bikes), hitch adapter fits standard 1.25-inch and 2-inch hitch receivers, 150lbs. capacity (search Amazon for ASIN B009SM5HOK)

[@williamhudspith4206]

I put the trailer hitch on today. After doing so, I concluded that all I really needed to do was measure the cut out for the left side of the bottom panel (measurements from the installation instructions for my hitch) and cut it out (I used a box cutter) without removing anything. The only thing I really would have had to do was drop the exhaust hangers on the right side and then reinstall them once the hitch was bolted up. I hope this saves someone lots of time.

[@LongologoProductions]

Thanks for the comment!

[@horsdevors4559]

I installed a hitch on my 2015 CRV and I didnt have to take any trim off.

[@alanreynard3331]

Wouldn’t feel good about hanging 5 bikes on the back. Fantastic leverage generated.

[@LongologoProductions]

Yeah - only for short trips I think. The Yakima rack manual states that it can handle 5 bikes (it is the 5 bike rack after all), and then as long as you are less than the tongue weight rating for the hitch it *should* be OK but I wouldn’t do it on long or bumpy drives. Also to fit 5 bikes on that Yakima rack requires some skill at Tetris because of how close together they have to be side-by-side. (We’ve done it with three bikes no problem.). Thanks for commenting.