[PaulPaul]

I am purchasing a Trillium trailer (under 1500 lbs) and I want to have a class 2 trailer hitch installed on my 2011 CRV. The trailer manufacturer provided a brake controller (Husky Escort Digital) and this needs to be installed, along with a charge line for the batteries on the trailer. They also provided a 7-way Husky connector. I need to buy the hitch myself.

What I'm wondering is should I go with a company that installs trailer hitches as their focus or should I take my CRV to the dealer and have their service department install a hitch along with the wiring? Will Honda do a better job because they are Honda experts or will a trailer hitch installation company do a better job because they are trailer hitch experts? I just want the job done "right" even if it costs a little extra.

I've searched the Net for hours and I cannot find much, maybe I'm asking the wrong questions or maybe I'm worried about nothing and either option will produce a great result. Any tips much appreciated. tks!

 

[PaulPaul]

Actually, the dealer service department just called back and advised to have a trailer hitch company do it. He said that Honda service dept doesn't do brake controller installations. So that makes the decision easy!

I'm looking at RV Camper & Trailer Clinic Ltd in Langley BC, Canada. They were recommended by Trillium.

 

[Mastroz]

do you need a brake controller? my jetski loaded is probably around the same weight. It's like 800dry without gas and trailer is like 3-400 lbs..

 

[rjr162]

It never hurts. If the trailer has brakes and they provided the brake controller use it. It will also help reduce the brake wear on the CR-V. Just like my Xterra which tows up to 5000lbs, but above 1500 a brake controller (if trailer brakes) and a sway control are a good idea to have on.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using AutoGuide App

 

[PaulPaul]

A few years later (for those who come across this thread): We towed our Trillium Outback trailer with our 2011 CR-V from Calgary to Nova Scotia, down to New York, then Pennsylvania and through the northern states back to Vancouver BC. And many camping trips since then. Just take it easy on the mountain passes and watch the RPMs. We set the electric brakes to 25-30% typically.

 

[DIY Guy]

You were provided a trailer brake controller due to the trailer hitch you purchased and it being a class II hitch. Your CR-V is only rated to pull 1500 pounds. A class II hitch is rated up to 3500 pounds. I personally wouldn't worry about a trailer brake controller. The car really isn't designed to tow.

Another thing to be cautious of is a shop cutting your wires here and there, and causing you issues a few years from now, if you keep the car. They typically don't care as the issue typically won't show up for a few years. I have learned that one, by something as simple as having power run to a topper on a truck. I won't let anybody touch anything electrical on any of my vehicles. The old "they won't see it, or notice it".

And I'm sure at some point we have all been behind a vehicle in traffic that has had an obvious hack job on wiring for a trailer electrical connection.

Just realized too, that someone brought this thread back from the dead.