flat towing 2005 Honda Element

Fifty4F100 wrote:
What towing system do you have for the Miata?

It depends on the year of the Miata.

There are 3 manfacturers of baseplates for the 1989 - 2005, but only one for the 2006 - 2014.

In the past 8 years, I have helped nearly 100 other Miata owners (MANY still on this forum)
to get their Miatas set-up to be towable.

If you are really interested, PM me for more information.

Tim

What towing system do you have for the Miata?

Fifty4F100 wrote:
Some I found without a Blue Ox baseplate, Mazda Miata and BMW Z3. Would have been very cool toads!

The Mazda Miata IS a very cool towed.

I towed a 2000 5-speed over 35,000 miles and have now towed a 2010 and a 2012 6-speed retractable hard top over 15,000 miles.

Tim

Bumpyroad wrote:
check the owner's manual under either recreational towing or towing behind a motorhome, that is the only valid reference. and it will give directions for doing so.
bumpy

Probably not PC to disagree with this, but too many times an automaker is more worried about warranty issues more than anything else (can't say I blame them in today's lawyered up society). But many vehicles have been found to be towed - mostly manual transmission cars. My guess is people might not have a problem towing a manual to see if problems arise, but wouldn't put an automatic through the same trial (read $$$$$). Problem is when the manufacturer does this, many tow system makers won't to the tooling for these vehicles. And at least at the local Memphis installer, a specially made baseplate is very expensive and most likely not guaranteed. Some I found without a Blue Ox baseplate, Mazda Miata and BMW Z3. Would have been very cool toads!

In a word. Yes. I had an 04 and towed. 05 as the first year Honda started saying Elements were not approved for flat towing. In 06 ther reversed their position and said 05s WERE approved. Understand that Elements and CRVs share them same drive trains and ALL CRVs are approved for flat towing. We tow a 2011 Element.
They are great vehicles but I wish they got a little better MPG.
BTW. I have a Demco baseplate I'll sell cheap. 05 and 2011 use different baseplates.

Also, I think the 05 has a four speed trans and somewhere around there they put in a five speed which gets you a little better mileage. My 2011 is much quieter and rides better than the 04.

check the owner's manual under either recreational towing or towing behind a motorhome, that is the only valid reference. and it will give directions for doing so.
bumpy

susanberlin wrote:
Need some advice...looking at a Honda Element to tow behind our camper....can we flat tow it without ruining the transmission?
It is a 2005 automatic trans 4 cyclander...We are thinking of buying this car is we can flat tow it...in great condition with 55,thousand miles the body and interior is in great condition.
Please advise if we can flat tow it
Thank you
Susanberlin

My bet is you will get more information if you have the mod move this to the Dinghy Towing section. Or you could just call Honda USA and get the correct answer!

Don