etrailer | Installing the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver on a 2026 Honda HR-V

Click for more info and reviews of this CURT Trailer Hitch: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc... Check out some similar Trailer Hitch options: https://www.etrailer.com/fitguide.htm Search for other popular Honda HR-V parts and accessories: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle/2026... https://www.etrailer.com Don’t forget to subscribe!    / etrailertv   Full transcript: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-c... Hello neighbors, it's Brad here from Etrailer and today we are taking a look and installing the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver on a 2026 Honda HR-V. And adding a trailer hitch to your HR-V is a great option to really open up what you can do with your vehicle. So whether you're taking bikes along with you and you need a bike rack or you're on vacation and load it up with people and you need to get some coolers or luggage outside of the vehicle, this is gonna be a great addition to it. Even pulling a small trailer becomes a possibility with this Curt hitch. So let's take a closer look at it. Now, once installed, you're gonna have a nice clean look with this hitch because all of the mounting points are gonna be behind this rear fascia. So that way the only thing you're gonna see is gonna be the one and a quarter inch receiver tube opening and the safety chain loops. And that's something that's interesting with a class I is you are gonna be limited a little bit when it comes to accessories being that 1-1/4" is smaller than your traditional or more common two inch. But I've had one on my vehicle and I was still able to put a bike rack and tow small trailers with it. So usability is still there. It's just gonna be a little bit more difficult when choosing accessories as there's just not as many of 'em out there. Now something important is with the 1-1/4", you're gonna be using a 1/2" pin and clip. Traditionally on your two inch, they're gonna be a 5/8" but you will need this smaller clip to get your accessories in. A lot of times when you pick up accessories, they'll include a pin and clip. Something I do recommend is if you plan on leaving your accessory on the back, maybe the bike rack for a whole season or a cargo carrier out of town on vacation, a locking pin and clip is a really good deterrent. That way, people can't just take out your pin and clip and those accessories with them. Now we also have a rolled style safety chain loop here. So if you plan on pulling a small trailer, hooking up your safety chains, it's gonna be nice and easy, and whether it's an S hook or even a larger Clevis style is gonna be no issue. Now speaking of towing a trailer, we're gonna wanna adhere to the weight capacities, not only when just towing, but also loading up accessories. The class Is are rated fairly low, but that's because their vehicle like this that has a class I really isn't meant to haul a ton of weight. So if you're towing a trailer, your gross trailer weight rating on the hitch is gonna be rated at 2000 pounds. That's still enough for a kayak trailer or even a small utility trailer. Just keep in mind when you start adding things onto it that it can get pretty heavy quickly. You also wanna check the vehicle's owner's manual to see what it's capable of towing and then compare that with that gross trailer weight rating and stick with the lower number. That way you're not overloading anything. As far as tongue weight, that's gonna be the downward pressure on the inside of the receiver tube opening. And it really comes into play with your suspended accessories. So cargo carriers and bike racks. And with 200 pounds, the 1-1/4", you're gonna be limited to a two bike bike rack, but as long as your bikes aren't terribly heavy, you shouldn't have any issues. Now some accessories can stow in a vertical position, so bike racks and cargo carriers that fold up are really nice because when not in use, you're not extending the length of the vehicle, you can shorten it back up and still tow it along, but you do wanna make sure that it can work with the vehicle. Sometimes in that folded position, you can make contact with the fascia and it won't allow it to vertically fold. So on ours today, from the center of our hitch pin hole at the furthest point, come in right about 3-1/2". So I don't worry too much that you're gonna have issues, but as they're folded, more than likely you're gonna be blocking your license plate as well as your backup camera. So just something to keep in mind. And if you need to gain access to the hatch, you can always lower them down, get the things you need, and then stow them again. Now as far as ground clearance, this is gonna be important for choosing a ball mount. So from the top of the receiver tube opening to the ground, it's about 12-1/2". So I don't worry that the hitch is gonna bottom out,