I've been trying to get an idea of what my options are for hitch for a '22 RDX Advanced and thought I'd post my findings in case others are interested or anyone else has found different info.

 

My time for editing expired so here are the details. (Note - the 15 min limit seems unreasonably short - other forums I moderate allow 1 hour for OP edits?)
I've been trying to get an idea of what my options are for hitch for a '22 RDX Advanced and thought I'd post my findings in case others are interested or anyone else has found different info.
I'm interested in hitch only for bike rack use so not interested in wiring harness for trailer, at least at this time.

I started with eTrailer thinking an after market hitch would do me fine and Ive used & installed several of these from eTrailer in the past and been satisfied. After reviewing their hitch descriptions and reviews / comments and swapping a couple of emails I learned that their Curt or DrawTite hitches will fit the 2022 RDX but will not allow mounting of the 19" spare that is std with the Advance. Interference with the OEM HFA is questionable - they could not confirm it would work 100% but indicated many have been able to get it to work by moving the foot motion to one side?

After a lot of searching and a couple phone calls to BernardiParts I think I have the correct info & part #s to accomodate the 19" spare and continue to use the HFA feature.
Hitch ...............................08L92-TJB-200 ....Honda List $282 .....Bernardi $195 (free shipping)
Hitch Cover (trim insert) .08L92-TJB-200D ....................$112 ......................$90
HFA Sensor (short) ........08L91-TJB-200B .....................$213 ....................$170
TOTAL .................................................. ..................$607 .....................$486

I certainly agree that Honda has done a real poor design job when you need to remove / throw away the HFA sensor and replace it with a $200+ part just to add an accessory trailer hitch.
Bernardi didn't have the Hitch trim cover even listed but a telecon w/ a parts guy confirmed it was correct and to wait a few days to order and they would get it added to their online parts store. Reviewing the installation instructions provided by Honda looks like the above install should be fairly easy as it avoids all the inside panel removals required by the hitch wiring harness.
If I decide to add wiring in the future I will look for one of the after market kits and simply leave the 4 pin plug inside under the storage cover and pull it out when needed. I have done it this way on other vehicles and actually prefer it when trailering is infrequent as the plug stays out of the road grime & Wx.
Hope that helps

 

I installed an OEM hitch on my 2020 Tech, and it should be the same install bug without the sensor. It was definitely an easy install. Taking off the trim piece was a little bit of a pain, but hardly worth mentioning. Since I don’t use this to tow (use my truck to tow anything) I didn’t install the wiring either. Works great for a 2-bike rack.

 

Everything I’ve read about the Curt hitch, which I have, says that it works with the spare. I haven’t seen anything that says otherwise, and my mechanic who installed the hitch didn’t mention any problems. Can you point to something that says it doesn’t work? I’m a little concerned that I’m missing something and don’t want to be stuck somewhere without access to a spare.

 

I wouldn’t be concerned. You have to drop the spare to install the hitch and, unless your mechanic didn’t reinstall the spare, you can obviously get to it!

 

Not sure what trim and tire size you have but am interested.
My info was specific to Advance trim and 19" wheels. Here is the link from eTrailer
https://www.etrailer.com/question-592575.html?fb=yes
If yours is Advance and 19" I'm interested in your experiences.
Does the HFA feature still function?

 

I could be wrong but I believe all RDXs that come with spares use a “space-saving” 17” wheel. It is not a full-size spare on any model. Both Tech and Advance (but not A-Spec) have 19” wheels. The q/a you pointed to specifically asked about 19” spares so maybe that’s the difference? Unless you’re planning on trying to get a third-party 19” spare under there (which I don’t think would work either with or without a hitch) I think the Curt should be fine.*

*note; I know very little about the 2022 models so everything I’ve said may not apply to these newer cars.

 

Weatherman
You are correct - I guess I assumed with 19" wheels on the Advance even a compact spare would have to be the same OD to not create problems with AWD. On further checking my spare is a T155/90 D17 which has an OD of 28.3". The 19" Advance tires are 235/55 R19 with an OD of 29.2" With spare at 60 PSI I'm guessing there is little / no tire squat and the 19" tires will squat about the 1/2" difference to have the same affective OD.
I appreciate the comments / corrections and happy that it looks like the after market hitches are a possibility.
Do you have the Hands Free Access feature? If, so any comments re: functionality with the Curt hitch?

 

I don’t have the hands-free hatch. I wanted it, but I didn’t really want to spring for Advance and the cost was almost $1k as an option.

I don’t know for sure but I do think I’ve read there’s problems with hitch and hands-free hatch. Personally I’d rather have the hitch, so I’m guess I’m glad I didn’t spend $1k on it.