If towing a CR-v this is good to know

[mikestock]

I have never been a store basher but this situation was so outrageous I felt I needed to warn anyone towing a CR-V.

I first, forgot to pull the radio fuse on a 6 hour trip and ran down the towed CR-V battery. Got it back going but I know the battery is never the same, afterwards. Bought a battery maintainer device to attach from the coach to the towed but that didn't work so well.

Back to the point: Stopped at a nationally, well known auto parts chain store to purchasea battery. The little Honda battery was $122 for a two year, $144 for a three year, and $199 for a five year warranty. I balked at these prices and decided to look elsewhere.

Ended up buying an Interstate battery with a 5 year warranty for $69.99 at Costco. Best thing about their warranty is that you can return it anytime during the warranty period for a full refund. I've done it.

I don't own Costco stock, work there or know anyone who does.

[J-Rooster]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Do you have navigation in 2006 Honda?

Very good point Kayteg1 we opted out on navigation, because we knew we would be towing all 4 wheels down! Navigation system will put a major strain on the battery if towed without a charge line.

[aerbus32]

We have a 2010 with nav. After the first problem with the battery I replaced it with a Costco battery. No issues since then & I never pull any fuses, etc. We rarely drive more than 4-5 hours. If longer than that, I routinely start the car as per the prescribed pre-towing procedure while taking a break. I'm of the opinion that replacing Honda's factory provided battery is all it takes.

[TropicalRV]

That's why I'm keeping my 2002 CRV until I'm done motorhoming. Don't need to disconnect anything while traveling. However, you do have to re-charge the battery after a couple of days driving because the Brake Buddy will pull the battery down.

[Blaster_Man]

We are on CRV number two...no nav, no problems. However, if we travel multiple days in a row, I put a trickle charger on it at night.

[Effy]

marbilupton wrote:
I have been towing my CR-V for about 10 years now and never disconnect the battery. Have not had any problems, towing up to 8 hours a day.

It's only applicable to newer CRV's with the NAV.

[CA_Traveler]

I towed my 04 CRV w/o nav for years w/o pulling the fuse and no problems. 3 years ago I upgraded to a 7 conductor cable and connected up the charge line.

[mikestock]

No. I have a portable GPS but it isn't plugged in. The recommended towing procedure only says to unplug the radio fuse and to run the engine before towing and every 8 hours, for 3 minutes, shifting through the gears.

This posting was not about what I did and did not do correctly that ruined the battery but about the price differential you may encounter when replacing the battery. Just a warning to shop around and not accept the first price you are quoted.

I think some of these automotive stores feel that if they have you in front of their store and can show you that you need a battery, you will just pay their price, assuming that it is fair and that you know no better.

[Kayteg1]

Do you have navigation in 2006 Honda?

[mikestock]

wildmanbaker wrote:
Yes, its a Honda thing. Unusual size, but if you want it to fit, its big bucks. $70.00 at Costco would have been a deal.

The Interstate battery from Costco was physically idantical and weighed the same as the OEM battery I replaced. $70 was a great deal compaired to Advanced Auto Parts.

[marbilupton]

I have been towing my CR-V for about 10 years now and never disconnect the battery. Have not had any problems, towing up to 8 hours a day.

[wildmanbaker]

Yes, its a Honda thing. Unusual size, but if you want it to fit, its big bucks. $70.00 at Costco would have been a deal.

[J-Rooster]

I have a Interstate Gel Battery in my RV I paid $200.00 for it and it's warranted for 5years! Best $200.00 I ever spent and it wasn't bought at Costco to which I'm a member.

[jfkmk]

I've had three Costco batteries in three different cars and none of them lasted more than two years. Yeah, the return policy was good, but I dropped my membership in the middle and had a real problem returning it.

I've bought two batteries from Advance Auto. Never had a problem with them. I buy them on line and use a coupon code and get them for under $80. Make the purchase, drive to the store and they're waiting for me.

[Kayteg1]

Let's not start here about buying video cameras at Costco and returning them after the wedding.
In the past Costco was offering 100 months warranty on car batteries. I bought one for wife car and it died after 50 months.
Costco promptly refunded me 50% of the price. No receipt necessary, they have all the purchases recorded for years on computers.