Hi All. I'm looking to install a Class 3 hitch receiver on our 2023 RDX so we can haul our 30 foot Sea Ray cruiser to the Sunshine State and back. HA....just joking. Am looking to install a 2 inch hitch just so we can carry our bikes. No wiring needed. Most of the reputable manufactures seem like their products are straight forward made to fit without drilling....etc. How many, if any have wrenched the install of a said hitch and can you report any issues such as fit & finish.....exhaust or spare tire being in the way.....etc. Also, most manufactures state that the hitch "MIGHT" interfere with the kick sensor for the tailgate. I like the way they use the word "Might"...lol. Seems like a given. No biggie as we can live without it. Any input on a hitch install would be appreciated. THANKS

 

There is a recent thread on this topic and although not a major issue you should be aware of the content. Bike rack

 

One thing I did not like about all of the aftermarket hitches is that they all appear hang low and protrude out from under the bumper. The OEM hitch from Acura comes with a replacement bumper trim (well, technically you have to buy it separately) and mounts higher, and as a result also has a much cleaner, integrated look. It does come at a price - I paid about $460 for the hitch and bumper piece (wiring harness was another couple hundred I think, but I passed on it). Aftermarket is probably half the cost, if not less.

I do believe the OEM is only a 1.25" receiver, so if you're dead set on 2" then you'll probably need to go aftermarket. That said, you shouldn't need that if you just intend to carry bikes (same as what I use mine for, along with a cargo tray for extra luggage capacity on road trips).

ETA: If you have an advance with the kick sensor, then Acura also has a re-location kit to avoid that with the OEM hitch (again, probably more money). I have an A-Spec, so that was a non-issue for me.

Below is my OEM hitch vs a typical aftermarket one for comparison.

OEM


Aftermarket

 

I installed the Etrailer hitch myself on a 22 rdx.
it's not difficult and there are a few good videos on YT. You do need a torque wrench to be on the safe side.
The complaints I saw about sticking out were about esthetics. To me the real issue turned out to be hitting it with my legs when loading the trunk. It takes some getting used to it being there.

 

All great thoughts and I appreciate the feedback. The OEM unit definitely looks nicer, but as mentioned in post thats a little x-tra $$'s just to haul some bikes around from time to time. I also didn't realize that Acura offered a relocation kit for the kick sensor. But as mentioned we probably won't be using that "Fluffy" option anyway. And well said about the ol hitch being in the way during load up. Heck...after 40+ yrs of towing everything under the sun my Chins have learned to just zip it and take the pain like a man...lol Thanks to all !!!

 

Hey Again All. After reading the great reply to my post suggesting to read the "bike rack" post, I looked it up and it was definitely worthy. But I must admit that after researching the parking sensor issue it left me wondering. I understand the bike rack may interfere with the sensor, but my question is this. When you turn OFF the parking sensor by pressing the button on the lower left dash, does that not turn off all of the sensors including the rear? If that is the case why would anyone want to go through the hassle of turning off just the rear to simply back up with a bike rack on occasion. Why not just turn off the entire system....back up....then turn the system back on all with the press of one button. Does simply pressing the button once just deactivate all the sensors except the rear? Am I making any sense here....lol. I mean must you really have to go through the hold this button while pressing that button for 10 seconds and then pull your left ear lobe for 5 seconds in order to shut the rear sensor off? Or is maybe that more permanent shut off is for people that want all the other sensors on but not the rear? Please Help Mr. Wizard.

 

A quick press of the button shuts off the incessant beeping, but the sensors are still active and the car *will* slam on its brakes if you back up too quickly. I think the longer process to turn them off works (haven't tried it myself yet), but alternatively you can just creep backwards as slowly as possible while bracing for the sudden stop that hopefully doesn't happen.

 

Thanks for the feedback Tomtw and your tongue n cheek back up carefully suggestion is well taken. Can't believe Acura would offer a by-pass button on the sensors that only got rid of the beep, but doesn't surprise me if true. I did just for a test turned off the sensors by the button and let the car roll slowly forward towards the garage wall and it did not activate any beeping or dash warnings when I went well past when they would normally do so with the sensors on. No slam on of brakes either. I will admit that I haven't tried it in reverse yet though. Might be different there. It just don't make much sense to put a sensor over-ride button in a vehicle that only hushes the beeps but still leaves the sensors active. Sounds like some oxy moron thing the boys & girls in Washington got together to make our cars safer....lol.

 

Yeah I can't speak for the front sensors on that, but in my own personal experience when carrying a cargo rack, the car would slam on its brakes with or without the beeping from the sensors. Next time I use it I'll be sure to fully disable them and see how that turns out.