The reason the pep boys guys didnt get it is simple: they are too lazy. They don't get paid for the install hourly or they would keep working it. How is it I could do it? My Freestyle is the same. The reason I bet is that they didn't have a "fishing" wire in which to install the bolts into the holes. It was tricky on the right, but I got it.

They, in fact, had a fishing wire. It came in the kit I gave them and they used it to install the left side bolts. They showed me the installed bolts and the sleeves that blocked the right side holes.
If I didn't see it myself I might have agreed with you.

Well mine was a Hidden Hitch which mounts the same as the Curt or any other custom made hitch for the Freestyle. I had no trouble fishing the bolts through in fact it was fun. What I did have trouble with was raising the hitch into the proper position because of the perfect fit. My wife had to help me block it in place. If I had to do it again it would be a snap.

i have the hidden hitch, but it looks just like yours too. Had it for like 2 1/2 yrs now, love it!

as far as those "T" connectors, save your money and just buy 4 scotch locks, all of about $0.50

No soldering or cutting, just snaps on and splices into the stock wire.

So as I begin my thought process to put a hitch on the wife's freestyle (since the Pilot lease is ending soon), I was poking through this thread, and really like the Curt hitch and will likely go that direction. Your photo (above) from under the vehicle intrigued me, so I spend a few minutes with the factory manual set to find out what it was. It's a "C411" connector - and it's the in-line connector for the wiring harness for the rear parking sensors. Seeing that your car (in earlier photos) doesn't have that feature, it explains why it was just sort of hanging back there unconnected. So, while it certainly looked promising in order to perhaps use it as a wiring plug, it wouldn't do much to send signals to the lights on the trailer.

Just thought I'd let folks know.

andy

So finally got around to pulling the trigger on a hitch for the wife's FS, and bought the Curt Class III w/the 2" receiver opening - mostly to accomodate my Stowaway2 carrier and bike rack. I'll start off by saying that I'd really love to know where american.tuscani got the hitch for $99 - After a pretty exhaustive web search, I ended up getting it for about $155 from autoanything.com, including shipping, and then also bought the T-connector for $29 from them as well. Anyway, box arrived earlier this week and I installed it yesterday.

Overall, the quality of the hitch is about the best I've seen - and that includes experiences with installing honda OEM receivers as well as several drawtite and hidden-hitch variants over the years. The powdercoat finish was top-notch, and the way they integrated the muffler-hanger attachment into the hitch itself was very clean! As the photos show in the OP's photo stream, you see only the square the the bottom of the bumper, and nothing else! Once I figured out the logistics/layout I was able to install the unit - by myself no less - in about an hour. I had backed the FS up on my rhino-ramps so I had room to move. I used my SUV-height craftsman floor jack to aid in holding one side of the receiver up. and actually used the muffler unit as a support mechanism on the driver's side. Made a single-person install possible. Some hints for those wanting to do this yourself follow (sorry, didn't take pics...)

That's it! Attaching the wiring is just as the OP stated, except I chose to leave the wiring bundle inside the rear storage well since I don't tow a lot - and when I do need the wiring I just let it come out thru the hatch and close the hatch, letting the weatherstripping seal around the wiring. The wiring on my Pilot is external, and it toes pick up a lot of corrosion over the years, even when the plug is covered - so keeping it inside just removes another maintenance task.

andy

I need to get a hitch.....My dad put one on like 10 + years ago on an Explorer, and cut his finger badly.......he needed stitches. Since it wasn't jacked up/ramped up, it was all done by feel and that doesn't work

Well, I will admit I didn't get the job done without the obligatory "oh sh*t" yell out of the garage. I got all the way thru the install underneath the FS, and then pullled it around and proceeded to do the wiring, and on the FINAL zip-tie I was using to finish the wiring clean-up, I snagged the catch on the zip-tie and ripped about half of my thumb nail off -arrrrggghhh..... Anyway, it was actually peaceful under the FS doing the install - but working on the underside of my vehicles is my therapy...

andy

half your nail off? at least you don't have blood under the nail - the pressure from the blood is one of the worst pains I have ever had..........

A few minutes with google yielded a Class II hitch with drawbar included for $61.68! With freight to NJ, it came to $86.12. I wish it were a 2" receiver, but o'well.

www.owensclassicinternational.com

Did you have to call them? Ebay?

No, it is under liquidation items. You have to scroll down untill you find it. Google brought me right there although I couldn't make it work again. Press "add to cart", give them the magic number on a piece of plastic called a credit card, and it will magically appear on your doorstep....what a country!

Did you get it yet? Install it? Let me know any details

It arrived yesterday. Weather permitting, it will go on this weekend.

i got it off eBay if I remember correctly.