Dinghy Towing guide

I think Honda CRVs are flat towable with an auto trans only certain older years. Some vehicles towable aren't now if they have switched to a CVT(continuously variable transmission). In fact I doubt any CVTs are towable and mamy conventional auto trans vehicles aren't either. A real problem since it's getting harder and harder to find manuals even if they make them. I believe that the owner's manual is the final authority. If it doesn't specify a "towing behind a motor home" section in the manual it probably isn't towable even if some other sources say it is. Not to say you couldn't but it would be risky and uncovered by warranty.

Gnarley wrote:
What I'm looking for is a used car perhaps a nice used 2014 -2017 that I can use as a daily driver with AWD and auto trans that gets respectable mpg and has 4 doors so I can also use it to transport my elderly parents when needed that's comfortable and somewhat luxurious with leather and quiet which has easy entry on the passenger side for both the front and rear occupants.

The easiest way and the correct way is to go looking at the cars you like that 'also' fit into your towing weight requirement. Then...…


1. open glove box of car
2. pull out car manual
3. Under recreational towing it will tell you whether the
car can be towed four down or needs a dolly.

Straight from the manufacturer is the 'correct' answer.

With my first toad, I too spun around reading all these so called complete towing articles that you will find are not complete and/or accurate.

Just read the cars manual for towing specs and the door panel for weight. IMHO I will not take info on whether any car can be towed 4-down unless I read it in the cars manual. :C

“What I'm looking for is a used car perhaps a nice used 2014 -2017 that I can use as a daily driver with AWD and auto trans that gets respectable mpg and has 4 doors so I can also use it to transport my elderly parents when needed that's comfortable and somewhat luxurious with leather and quiet which has easy entry on the passenger side for both the front and rear occupants.”

Who isn’t? lol

STBRetired wrote:
We flat tow a 2016 Ford Edge Sport AWD with an automatic trans. Is very comfortable. 88 year old MIL likes riding in it, says it is easy to get in and out of. Leather seats, all the bells and whistles. 3.5L EcoBoost gets decent gas mileage as long as you drive reasonably. I have a heavy foot and still get mid 20's with mix of around town and highway.

Thanks, I know Ford makes several vehicles that can be flat towed, I just have trouble thinking of myself driving one! We've had a "sport" SUV before and the ride was a bit firmer than I wanted. I'm looking for the luxury type, maybe a Caddi or a Lincoln SUV, which can be flat towed? I would also like the interior to be quiet if at all possible due to the terrible roads in Northern CA. Don't get me wrong about cars I also drive a 2016 Corvette Z51, it's very firm but it's surprisingly quiet after adding some additional sound deadening and insulation.

We flat tow a 2016 Ford Edge Sport AWD with an automatic trans. Is very comfortable. 88 year old MIL likes riding in it, says it is easy to get in and out of. Leather seats, all the bells and whistles. 3.5L EcoBoost gets decent gas mileage as long as you drive reasonably. I have a heavy foot and still get mid 20's with mix of around town and highway.

What I'm looking for is a used car perhaps a nice used 2014 -2017 that I can use as a daily driver with AWD and auto trans that gets respectable mpg and has 4 doors so I can also use it to transport my elderly parents when needed that's comfortable and somewhat luxurious with leather and quiet which has easy entry on the passenger side for both the front and rear occupants.

accsys wrote:
It's my understanding that 2014 was the last year you could flat tow a CRV, like Ken said because of the change to a CVT transmission in 2015. Those transmissions are becoming increasingly used in all makes and models and is making it difficult to find anything to tow other than a Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee or Grand Cherokee.

Thanks, maybe 2015 is the last CRV? I'm not sure your other suggestions are credible, noting the guides that are available that show Dinghy's from many others that can be flat towed.

"making it difficult to find anything to tow other than a Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee or Grand Cherokee"

Ford has 9 vehicles that can be flat towed this year without modification. I am sure other brands let you flat tow not just jeep.

It's my understanding that 2014 was the last year you could flat tow a CRV, like Ken said because of the change to a CVT transmission in 2015. Those transmissions are becoming increasingly used in all makes and models and is making it difficult to find anything to tow other than a Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee or Grand Cherokee.

Beverley&Ken wrote:
I clicked on ***Link Removed***, and it does not indicated what year of CRV it is for. From the diagram of the car, it is for a much older, before 2011 models and the fact that a manual transmission is available. Our 2012 has different instructions and they changed again beginning in 2015 when the CVT transmission was introduced.
That link only applies to certain years of CRVs.

Ken

Thanks Ken, I found that when searching for a 2016 spec. I also found this below. Maybe others have some info?

https://vehq.com/flat-tow-honda-cr-v/