|
|
05-22-2020, 10:27 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,144
|
Pros and Cons of Towing my CRV
Now that we have sold the toy hauler and are driving our SOB DP,. please tell me all the pros and cons of towing my Honda CRV.
yes it is flat towable. It's a 2013 and the instructions are very clear in the manual. You hook it up put it in neutral rev the engine put it in reverse put it in neutral put it in drive put it in park stand up turn around touch the tip of your nose get back in put it in neutral turn the ignition switch on and go go go and then do it all over again every 300 miles.
OR SOMETHING CRUDELY LIKE THAT.
WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE RAMIFICATIONS OF TOWING THAT CRV. AM I GOING TO BE DESTROYING OR DAMAGING THE FRONT END OF THE CR-V? WELL I WISH I HAD SOLD IT AND INVESTED IN A JEEP? DO THEY TAKE THE BEATING OF BEING TOWED MUCH BETTER THAN A CRV WILL?
REAL WORLD PROS AND CONS OF TOWING MY CRV PLEASE
serious comments by people with experience towing a CRV would be very much appreciated
Tom
__________________
Tom48
In Sunny So Cal /w
Now in 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador DP and The Hot Air Balloon RESTLESS
NO MORE Tricked out
2017 Sandstorm 250 T.H.
|
|
|
05-22-2020, 11:41 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 270
|
Pros and Cons of Towing my CRV
We towed a 2010 CRV for thousands of miles and never had an issued. The car pulled well, is light and tucked nicely behind the rig. I did change the transmission fluid at a higher frequency as recommended by Honda. It was a great toad and the only reason we sold it is we needed a small truck to tow a utility trailer and other rough duties the Honda wasn’t built for. Great car, change the oil and it will run forever.
We are now towing a 2019 Ranger. It’s definitely heavier.
__________________
John Taylor
2019 Newmar Bay Star 3609
2018 Cardinal 3350RLX - sold
2013 Cardinal 3030RLS - sold
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 12:08 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,144
|
[QUOTE=jtaylor1920;2329719]We towed a 2010 CRV for thousands of miles
We are now towing a 2019 Ranger. It’s definitely heavier.[/QUOTE
Thanks John. Just getting squeamish about tearing the front end apart for the Base Plate without reports that it will be a good toad.
__________________
Tom48
In Sunny So Cal /w
Now in 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador DP and The Hot Air Balloon RESTLESS
NO MORE Tricked out
2017 Sandstorm 250 T.H.
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 12:16 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 270
|
I think you’ll be quite happy with it and enjoy your getting around while camped in a smaller car vs a big truck. We had a dually, and it was a tow beast, but sometimes a pain in town. Also, the wife is more comfortable driving the car vs the truck.
__________________
John Taylor
2019 Newmar Bay Star 3609
2018 Cardinal 3350RLX - sold
2013 Cardinal 3030RLS - sold
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 09:19 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Ooltewah, TN
Posts: 244
|
We have towed our 2014 CRV for thousands of miles with no problems. The procedure for getting it ready to tow isn't as involved as you make it out to be. My wife does it while I do the hook up. It's a very simple procedure. The only problem that we ever had was when she forgot to turn the key to the middle position before we started driving. The car idled all the way home. The biggest problem was that the doors locked when we started moving and the keys were inside. We had to call a locksmith.
I think you'll find towing a CRV easy and convenient.
__________________
David, Sherry and our three fur kids, Nicholas, Finnegan and Bentley
2013 Coachmen Encounter 36BH
2014 Honda CR-V/ Blue Ox Patriot II
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 12:48 PM
|
#6
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 83
|
Honda as a TOAD
We flat towed out 2010 CRV and when I found out the 2015s were no longer flat towable we bought a 2014 and We flat tow it. They are lite and tow easily.
I equipped both with SMI Aire Force One breaking system so the air brakes From the M/H operated the brakes on the TOAD. I’ve been very pleased with that addition.
You are limited to 65 mph with the Honda and you must do the procedure as outlined in the manual before towing. It’s quite easy. I usually do it a second time when we fuel up mid day. Also you need to change the transmission fluid from time to time. No big deal.
You are supposed to remove a fuse to the radio system. I had a charge line run to the battery instead.
If you are stopping for the night do not forget to turn the Honda key back to off or the battery will be dead in the morning.
Tow and enjoy!
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 12:50 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Bend,Oregon
Posts: 360
|
Tom ~ I have towed two CRVs over 100,000 miles. Things to know: if the CRV has a Nav system you will need to disconnect fuse #8 or your battery will be dead after a long tow. I put an on off switch on mine. Because the digital odometer does not record tow mileage you will need to keep a log of tow mileage and use the tow mileage combined with drive mileage for change of transmission and rear end fluids. And, like with all 4 wheel down vehicles, the front tires wear faster when towing so increase your rotations. Excellent car to tow.
__________________
2015 Forest River Solera 24R
2009 Honda CRV Toad
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 12:57 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Palm City, FL
Posts: 298
|
2013 CRV
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom48
Now that we have sold the toy hauler and are driving our SOB DP,. please tell me all the pros and cons of towing my Honda CRV.
yes it is flat towable. It's a 2013 and the instructions are very clear in the manual. You hook it up put it in neutral rev the engine put it in reverse put it in neutral put it in drive put it in park stand up turn around touch the tip of your nose get back in put it in neutral turn the ignition switch on and go go go and then do it all over again every 300 miles.
OR SOMETHING CRUDELY LIKE THAT.
WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE RAMIFICATIONS OF TOWING THAT CRV. AM I GOING TO BE DESTROYING OR DAMAGING THE FRONT END OF THE CR-V? WELL I WISH I HAD SOLD IT AND INVESTED IN A JEEP? DO THEY TAKE THE BEATING OF BEING TOWED MUCH BETTER THAN A CRV WILL?
REAL WORLD PROS AND CONS OF TOWING MY CRV PLEASE
serious comments by people with experience towing a CRV would be very much appreciated
Tom
|
We have a 2013 CRV that we have towed for over forty thousand miles without any problems. Of course, I follow the instructions in the user's manual carefully. I do not travel over a couple of hours before I stop and run the CRV for the required three minutes to circulate the transmission oil. And if it's really hot out, I stop about every hour. I usually stop anyway to stretch my legs. And, like one other post here, I do service the transmission somewhat more often than recommended to make sure the fluid stays clear. We have a solidly installed base plate that attaches to a Blue Ox towbar and have not experienced any wear and tear on the CRV's front end. I've had people walk up to me in rest stops and campgrounds offering to buy my CRV because it's such a great tow car. To bad Honda decided to eliminate the towable capability in the newer CRVs.
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 01:54 PM
|
#9
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 84
|
I can't make a serious comment so at this time I'll have to pass.
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 02:57 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Chardon, Ohio
Posts: 513
|
We tow the 2014 CRV in our signature. No need to remove a fuse if you install a charge line to the battery, we have never had a dead battery after towing. Regarding our navigation screen, you can just turn it off while towing.
__________________
Bill, Maura & Rosie the rescued Boston Terrier
2016 Winnebago Adventurer 38Q-26K Chassis...traded in 2015 Wildcat 282RKX
Towing 4 down 2014 CR-V EX-L w/Nav & Blue Ox & Ready Brute Elite or 2018 Colorado Crew Cab 4x4 V6 longbed
NRA Endowment Life Member, FMCA #455593, WIT #170814 & Mid-Ohio Winnies
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 03:30 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Bend,Oregon
Posts: 360
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cover Dog
We tow the 2014 CRV in our signature. No need to remove a fuse if you install a charge line to the battery, we have never had a dead battery after towing. Regarding our navigation screen, you can just turn it off while towing.
|
I guess because mine is a bit older turning off the Nav screen only turns the screen off. The system stays active and runs the battery down. Charge lines always good. I found the off and on switch easier to make.
__________________
2015 Forest River Solera 24R
2009 Honda CRV Toad
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 03:46 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: British Columbia Canada
Posts: 556
|
Been towing 3014 CRV for 3 years,(snowbirds). No problems so far, great car for towing. Follow the instructions from the manual. Sounds like a lot of posters do what I do and that is recycle towing procedures every once in a while during the day. I double check every time, key on position, neutral, parking brake off, nav system off. As far as how long it takes to hook up I can usually have the tow bars and everything hooked up ready to go before the three minute time period required to leave running in neutral as per towing instructions.
I change the transmission fluid every year, necessary? I doubt it but it makes me feel better. When changing the transmission fluid don't forget you are only changing the fluid in the pan not the transmission and lines unless you do a complete flush which I intend to do this year.
My invisibrake system is supposed to charge the battery but it doesn't so rather than mess around with the fuses or install a fuse switch I just ran a wire from the 7 pin plug at motorhome, there should be a hot wire there, to the CRV battery. I used a heavy wire, # 12 and used a two pin connector to join the two wires near the CRV battery. You don't need a ground wire. Easy to plug in and go. I suppose a dash switch to bypass fuse would work well to.
Happy camping
__________________
2017 FR3 28 DS
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 05:16 PM
|
#13
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Colorado
Posts: 11
|
Towing a CRV
I've only been RVing for a year, but after researching toads I purposely chose a 2014 CRV. It was the latest model that had the transmission that still permitted 4 flat towing. I like the size for in town use and it has functional clearance for driving on rougher terrain. I did add the cutoff switch which you can easily get from etrailer.com. I use the Readybrake system which is easy to set up. I hook up the car while my wife follows the Honda instructions to get the car ready to tow, we're usually both done about the same time.
At about 3400 lbs it's an easy tow for my 34QS DP. I've been really pleased with this setup and I feel confident this has been a safe choice for our needs.
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 05:18 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Posts: 7,616
|
So...for all of you that tow CRVs, what are you using for brake systems in your CRV?
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 05:36 PM
|
#15
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Colorado
Posts: 11
|
As I mentioned I use Readybrake tow/brake system. I like that it was a mechanical system that was not reliant on a secondary device to move the brake on the car. While I put the tow plate on the CRV myself, I used an approved installer for the cables for the Readybrake. It's worked very well. I did put the light on the console that indicates when the Readybrake unit is braking so it reinforces that the system is working.
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 05:43 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Posts: 7,616
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rimo
As I mentioned I use Readybrake tow/brake system. I like that it was a mechanical system that was not reliant on a secondary device to move the brake on the car. While I put the tow plate on the CRV myself, I used an approved installer for the cables for the Readybrake. It's worked very well. I did put the light on the console that indicates when the Readybrake unit is braking so it reinforces that the system is working.
|
Sounds good. We have a 2006 Honda Element which is basically a CRV in a different body.
Seems like a lot of people don't put brakes in their toads which makes ZERO sense to me.
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 06:48 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Chardon, Ohio
Posts: 513
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by babock
So...for all of you that tow CRVs, what are you using for brake systems in your CRV?
|
Ready Brake Elite
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 07:25 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,290
|
I don't know of any vehicle that necessarily 'takes a beating' just because it's being 'towed'... the car is driven every day thru the same wind, rain, dust, dirt and doesn't somehow 'take a beating'... so, no, towing a car has nothing to do with it - tow what you like, they are all the same. CRVs, Focus', Jeeps, etc.
__________________
The Turners...
'07 Rockwood Signature Ultralight...
two Campers and two Electric cars : )
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 08:56 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: British Columbia Canada
Posts: 556
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by babock
So...for all of you that tow CRVs, what are you using for brake systems in your CRV?
|
Invisibrake , also has the dash light to indicate brakes on.
Agree about brakes being a good thing although In some cases not necessary from a legal standpoint. In my case after DH loads up all our crap we are up there in gross weight. We still don't need them legally but I would not be without them just because.
__________________
2017 FR3 28 DS
|
|
|
05-23-2020, 09:01 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: British Columbia Canada
Posts: 556
|
Tom48, Would strongly suggest some kind of system to prevent rocks, slush and stuff from rear wheels of M/H hitting your towed vehicle. Wish I had of put more protection for my CRV. Much has been discussed on these forums, look it up.
__________________
2017 FR3 28 DS
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|