Towing Honda CR-V

[cKarlGo]

OK, I bought a 2014 Honda CR-V to use as a toad. The manual has very detailed instructions on what to do to ready the CR-V to be towed after connecting the tow bars, but nothing on what to do to reverse the process when you disconnect.

Do I simply disconnect, shift to park and start the car back up and drive on my way?

I'd appreciate some other CR-V owners weighing in on their disconnect process.

Thank you!

[Mr_Mark1]

cKarlGo wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
As you can see, we have a 2013 CR-V.... just disconnect and go. We had the cut-off switch installed to turn off the radio/navigation.

Mr.Mark: Where did you have this work done? I'd like to have one put in as well.

Hi cKarlGo,

We had ours done at Redlands RV and Performance in Redlands, CA. I see that you are in Virginia. I would think any reputable car repair facility could install a cut-off switch to the fuse box.

When we had the 2007 Honda, I had a local car repair guy do it in TN (also did a nice job).

MM.

[RCtime]

check out this thread

check out this thread.

If you are handy at all its an easy build. Read the thread and you will see my build, about 13.00 or so. Thanks to the original poster for the pictures of his build.

[cKarlGo]

Mr.Mark wrote:
As you can see, we have a 2013 CR-V.... just disconnect and go. We had the cut-off switch installed to turn off the radio/navigation.

Mr.Mark: Where did you have this work done? I'd like to have one put in as well.

[DaveG39]

You are correct on moving the shift lever then idle for three minutes then put key in acc. If you have nav I would also shut off bluetooth and nav screen

[Mr_Mark1]

cKarlGo wrote:
Now, just so I'm sure this means what I think it means, the manual says:

3. Depress the brake pedal. Move the shift lever
through all its positions.

4. Shift to D and hold for five
seconds, then to N.

And that means, starting at P to shift all the way down to 1, then back up to D and then to N, correct?

Yes, you are correct. Start in P then R then N then D then 2 then 1.... back up to 2 then to D then to N and stop. Turn the ignition key all the way back until it stops which is the acc. position. You are ready to go.

MM.

[Mr_Mark1]

cKarlGo wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
As you can see, we have a 2013 CR-V.... just disconnect and go. We had the cut-off switch installed to turn off the radio/navigation. Just remember to turn it back on and you're good to go.

Best car to tow as it is light-weight, good on fuel, seats five, good rear storage and has good resale value.

What's not to love?

MM.

Please expand on the cutoff switch. Is simply turning off the radio not adequate?

Thanks!

The nav and radio work separately, if you are driving down the road and turn off the radio, the nav screen is still on. So, when towing, you need to pull a fuse or run a disconnect switch which we had done.

The installer put it to the left of the steering wheel in that row of buttons (traction control button is there)... next to that are two blank plates... so the new switch looks almost factory installed.

As someone mentioned, they ran a charge line which is another option.

MM.

[Pangaea_Ron]

I also carry a couple of plastic wheel stops to use when unhooking. It sometimes helps to be able to roll the vehicle a bit if you're not perfectly aligned, even with an all-terrain tow bar.

[cKarlGo]

Now, just so I'm sure this means what I think it means, the manual says:

3. Depress the brake pedal. Move the shift lever
through all its positions.

4. Shift to D and hold for five
seconds, then to N.

And that means, starting at P to shift all the way down to 1, then back up to D and then to N, correct?

[Rangerider]

I would suggest that you also engage the emergency brake as well as putting it in Park before disconnecting. Even in Park it may roll a tad if not level. This will scare the bejesus out of you if it happens. Don’t ask me how I know :E

[cKarlGo]

I'll have to ask about that during orientation tomorrow. I know that they installed a line on the CR-V that's located under the dash and that plugs into the brake controller, but I don't know what it's for (yet).

Thanks everyone!

[Pangaea_Ron]

I also added a charge line.

[DaveG39]

In the new CRV's particularly with nav there is a drain on battery with the ignition in acc while towing. You have a choice of pulling fuses, installing a cut off switch to fuses or putting in a charge line. I chose the charge line as the easiest alternative and works great. Do a search on CRV fuses and charge lines in the dinghy towing section and you will find significant amounts of information on this subject posted earlier.

[cKarlGo]

Mr.Mark wrote:
As you can see, we have a 2013 CR-V.... just disconnect and go. We had the cut-off switch installed to turn off the radio/navigation. Just remember to turn it back on and you're good to go.

Best car to tow as it is light-weight, good on fuel, seats five, good rear storage and has good resale value.

What's not to love?

MM.

Please expand on the cutoff switch. Is simply turning off the radio not adequate?

Thanks!

[RCtime]

X2 on your responses, You have a great toad, enjoy.

[dverstra]

Mr.Mark wrote:
As you can see, we have a 2013 CR-V.... just disconnect and go. We had the cut-off switch installed to turn off the radio/navigation. Just remember to turn it back on and you're good to go.

Best car to tow as it is light-weight, good on fuel, seats five, good rear storage and has good resale value.

What's not to love?

MM.

Same here. Just wish it was as quick as the Beemer X5 that I sold because I couldn't tow it!