Anyone Towing a 2014 Honda CRV EX-L

docj wrote:

et2 wrote:

Pangaea Ron wrote:
I just got my new 2014 CR-V configured to tow. They added a charge line (with fuse) from the MH to power the lights and braking system. I like it better than installing a switch or having to remove the fuse. We used diodes to power the CR-V lights as they suggested not penetrating the sealed light units.

I feel more comfortable with the CR-V towing preparation than with my former Jeep GC. . . the transfer case was troublesome.

So your confident that no CRV owner has never had a towing preparation issue? Just trying to understand your reasoning. From experience I know most " properly" equipped jeeps are very simple to prepare for towing. Much easier to prepare than the CRV and no towing speed issues or need to keep the trans lubed while towing or run thru the gears at preparation or while traveling.

Most people experiencing problems with the Jeep either don't following printed instructions or could have a mechanical issue with the transfer case which should then be taken to the dealer for repair.

Here is the instructions for our last two Jeep toads.

1: turn on key without starting engine
2: apply brake & put gear selector to "N"
3: push little neutral button negs the gear selector with pen
4: wait until light next to button stops blinking - then stop pressing button
5: start engine and put into reverse verifying car doesn't move and is out of gear
6: put gear selector into park and turn of engine & remove key
7: apply parking brake and connect your toad to MH.

Reverse process to get back into drive mode.either way it takes less than 30 seconds.

Why does every thread on this forum always end up in a "mine is better than yours" debate? The OP asked to hear from CR-V owners about their towing experiences. No one was bashing other brands; we considered Jeeps but we decided the CR-V was a better match for us.

x2

et2

The 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee transfer case is not their finest moment. Mine has been replaced and my shop has also repaired/replaced others, do a Google search for others with the same issues. I'm glad that you have success with your Jeep. Your recommended preparation is different than mine. I had always followed the the printed instructions and successfully towed the Jeep for many miles. I still feel more comfortable with the CR-V preparation, and it is also a better match for us.

Stating false information doesn't help people to make a educated decision. It's not so much about mine vs theirs it's about accuracy in replies. If it were accurate I wouldn't have said a word.

I understand the CRV a hugely more popular toad. But if your gonna beat on the rest you better state correct information or give more detailed information to your claims so people don't get the wrong opinion.

et2 wrote:

Pangaea Ron wrote:
I just got my new 2014 CR-V configured to tow. They added a charge line (with fuse) from the MH to power the lights and braking system. I like it better than installing a switch or having to remove the fuse. We used diodes to power the CR-V lights as they suggested not penetrating the sealed light units.

I feel more comfortable with the CR-V towing preparation than with my former Jeep GC. . . the transfer case was troublesome.

So your confident that no CRV owner has never had a towing preparation issue? Just trying to understand your reasoning. From experience I know most " properly" equipped jeeps are very simple to prepare for towing. Much easier to prepare than the CRV and no towing speed issues or need to keep the trans lubed while towing or run thru the gears at preparation or while traveling.

Most people experiencing problems with the Jeep either don't following printed instructions or could have a mechanical issue with the transfer case which should then be taken to the dealer for repair.

Here is the instructions for our last two Jeep toads.

1: turn on key without starting engine
2: apply brake & put gear selector to "N"
3: push little neutral button negs the gear selector with pen
4: wait until light next to button stops blinking - then stop pressing button
5: start engine and put into reverse verifying car doesn't move and is out of gear
6: put gear selector into park and turn of engine & remove key
7: apply parking brake and connect your toad to MH.

Reverse process to get back into drive mode.either way it takes less than 30 seconds.

Why does every thread on this forum always end up in a "mine is better than yours" debate? The OP asked to hear from CR-V owners about their towing experiences. No one was bashing other brands; we considered Jeeps but we decided the CR-V was a better match for us.

Pangaea Ron wrote:
I just got my new 2014 CR-V configured to tow. They added a charge line (with fuse) from the MH to power the lights and braking system. I like it better than installing a switch or having to remove the fuse. We used diodes to power the CR-V lights as they suggested not penetrating the sealed light units.

I feel more comfortable with the CR-V towing preparation than with my former Jeep GC. . . the transfer case was troublesome.

So your confident that no CRV owner has never had a towing preparation issue? Just trying to understand your reasoning. From experience I know most " properly" equipped jeeps are very simple to prepare for towing. Much easier to prepare than the CRV and no towing speed issues or need to keep the trans lubed while towing or run thru the gears at preparation or while traveling.

Most people experiencing problems with the Jeep either don't following printed instructions or could have a mechanical issue with the transfer case which should then be taken to the dealer for repair.

Here is the instructions for our last two Jeep toads.

1: turn on key without starting engine
2: apply brake & put gear selector to "N"
3: push little neutral button negs the gear selector with pen
4: wait until light next to button stops blinking - then stop pressing button
5: start engine and put into reverse verifying car doesn't move and is out of gear
6: put gear selector into park and turn of engine & remove key
7: apply parking brake and connect your toad to MH.

Reverse process to get back into drive mode.either way it takes less than 30 seconds.

Pangaea Ron wrote:
Consumer Reports likes the CR-V.

Car and Driver also likes it, They say that it's not the sexiest thing that your can buy, but it's like buying an electric toothbrush. . . you know that it's the right thing to do.

We've had ours since January and think it is great! We looked at the Equinox and the new Cherokee and even the C-Max. The CR-V lacks some of the jazzy new electronics options available on the Cherokee like collision-avoidance radar, etc, but those add a lot to the price if you buy them and I'm not sure if the Equinox has them available yet. The CR-V might even look a little dated to some people because it doesn't have LED exterior lighting, but usually I'm inside it when it's lit up so I don't care! :)

It does have a Bluetooth capability which works extremely reliably which is more than my Malibu ever could say. It also has fully integrated Pandora and iPod capability which is nice.

More importantly it drives well (we have the AWD model) and it routinely gets >25 mpg when cruising about on back roads which is most of the driving it gets. We were in Houston for a week and the mileage dropped to ~22-23 which didn't seem bad for city driving.

All-in-all we're quite pleased.

lanerd wrote:
I know you didn't ask, but may I suggest that you also look into the GMC Terrain and/or Chevy Equinox. Both are about the same size as the CRV (maybe a little bigger)and get about the same mpg. The difference is that they can also be powered by a V6 as well as the I4, and have many more options available. They also come in 2wd and AWD. If you care about safety, these two also were the only small/mid SUV vehicles that received an acceptable rating in the frontal crash tests recently.....the CRV was rated unacceptable.

We have 51K miles on ours so far, with about 15K being towed. It is comfortable, quiet, and with the rear seat pulled forward and the back portion folded forward, there is a huge amount of space for hauling things.

Anyway...just a suggestion for a possible alternative to a CRV.

Ron

X2. We love our Equinox and the seats are really comfortable with lots of room. Here's a recent crash test report and they came out on top.

Crash Test Results

Consumer Reports likes the CR-V.

Car and Driver also likes it, They say that it's not the sexiest thing that your can buy, but it's like buying an electric toothbrush. . . you know that it's the right thing to do.

This is for the 2014 CRV (per US News Auto review web site), not sure I would call this unacceptable.


Safety Ratings


Insurance Institute for Highway Safety1

Moderate Overlap Front Test Results GOOD
Small Overlap Front Test Results MARGINAL
Side Impact Test Results GOOD
Rear Crash Protection Results GOOD
Roof Strength Test Results GOOD


National Highway Traffic Safety Administration2

Overall Rating 5 stars

Frontal Crash 5 stars

Side Crash 5 stars

Rollover 4 stars

To echo everyone else, we have towed our 2014 CR-V EX-L for ~3,000 miles with no problems. We, also, installed a charging line rather than deal with fuse removal or switches. We used a Toad Charge kit which includes a fuse block and diodes to prevent backflow from the CR-V to the MH. We used diodes on the Honda's lights rather than add extra bulbs.

I just got my new 2014 CR-V configured to tow. They added a charge line (with fuse) from the MH to power the lights and braking system. I like it better than installing a switch or having to remove the fuse. We used diodes to power the CR-V lights as they suggested not penetrating the sealed light units.

I feel more comfortable with the CR-V towing preparation than with my former Jeep GC. . . the transfer case was troublesome.