Honda abandons Dinghy market? maybe not!

[ccchuck]

The 2015 Dinghy Guide mentions no Hondas. I knew the CRV was out (CVT), but had expected to see the Fit and maybe the oncoming H-RV.
Having towed Hondas for 20 years and now needing a new dinghy, this is hard news for me.


UPDATE The manual 6 speed, Front wheel drive only is towable according to its owner's manual.

[ccchuck]

well guess what !!

[Snowman9000]

The owners manual can almost always be found online these days. So the best bet is to download the one for your prospective dinghy and see what it says for recreational towing or emergency towing.

I see the Ford Focus is not in the 2015 guide either. 😞

[MRUSA]

Agreed. The car manufacturers are not concerned about keeping or losing our business. We are a tiny sliver of the market and they have much bigger groups to target. That is why Honda no longer makes towables, although I did read that the 2015 Honda Fit is towable with manual trans.

[rjstractor]

I don't really think there is a dingy market per se. 4 down towability is likely very low on the list of design criteria for a new car. If there were a viable dingy market in the eyes of the OEMs, you would likely see wonderful features such as factory baseplates and (gasp) factory installed toad braking systems that were designed and manufactured to actual engineering standards.

[j-d]

Anything Subaru manual shift that suits your fancy. I like the CrossTrek but Forester has much more room behind the back seat. DW and I both prefer manual shift so we still have some choices. Look at Nissan XTerra, solid machine but I think a little heavier than you want.

Consult the Owner's Manual in every candidate you look at, and include a truck scale in your test drive.

[ccchuck]

Well since I'm now looking it seems, I prefer a manual transmission, SUV, under 3800 lb, and user's manual that says it can be flat towed.

Suggestions sought!

[willald]

kalynzoo wrote:
It is my assumption (possibly incorrect) that if the car is not in the towable guide, and the consumer handbook does not say it is towable, then any claim regarding the drive train might be denied when the towbar hitch is spotted.

I don't think anything in the towable guide or a consumer handbook would play a role in whether or not a drive train warranty claim would be denied or not. The manufacturers didn't write, endorse that towable guide or consumer handbook, why would they go by it?

What DOES matter, and is the final say on the matter, will be the owner's manual or other documentation provided by the manufacturer for the specific vehicle involved. If it says you can flat tow, you're good, and can do so with full factory support (assuming you follow the guidelines it provides for such). If not, you may well still be able to flat tow in some cases, but you do so with the potential risk that warranty claims can be denied if something breaks.

Based on the history or auto sales, when I purchase my next toad (soon) I will insist that the dealer write into the sales contract that the vehicle will be used as a towed vehicle behind a motorhome. That way, if the manufacturer changes the listing at a later date, I still have possible recourse.
Just thinking.

I would be very surprised if any dealer would be willing to write such a thing into the sales contract. Leaves them open for waaaay too much liability there. My bet is they're going to tell you that your 'recourse' in case of future issues, lies in the owner's manual that came with the car that indicates whether or not flat towing is OK.

Anyway, back to original subject: If you are looking for a flat towable alternative to the Honda CR-V, and can live with a little less interior space, have a look at some of Ford's hybrid vehicles (Fusion or Cmax). They are flat towable from the factory, and very easy and simple to tow. No crazy procedures to go through when hooking up, no fuses or battery to disconnect, none of that. Just throw it in neutral, hook up and go. Can tow all day, all you want, no need to stop and run engine to lube the tranny like some require. And, the mileage the rest of the time (not towing) is absolutely unbeatable, too.

[j-d]

^^^ Exactly!!! I believe towability is a fallout of design, not of intent.

For example "OH! This Transfer Case has Neutral. And its chain dips in the lubricant. Bet somebody could tow this all day."

gOOgle "CVT" and one of its benefits is "low cost to manufacture." Hmmm...

[Crazy_Ray]

Gary good luck in having the Dealer put in writing. Keep having that DREAM

[lanerd]

I really haven't researched it, but I would assume that the amount of CRVs that are used for toads is just a drop in the bucket for overall CRV sales. I seriously doubt if Honda even considers having 4-down towing capability in their design criteria.


Ron

[dalerussel]

In December, I purchased a new 2014 CRV for towing instead of a 2015. Honda changed their transmission for 2015 which makes one unable to be tow it 4 wheels down. The text in the dingy guide laments that the transmission change was made for mandated, fuel economy reasons. It is a shame because I wanted a 2015.

[kalynzoo]

It is my assumption (possibly incorrect) that if the car is not in the towable guide, and the consumer handbook does not say it is towable, then any claim regarding the drive train might be denied when the towbar hitch is spotted. Based on the history or auto sales, when I purchase my next toad (soon) I will insist that the dealer write into the sales contract that the vehicle will be used as a towed vehicle behind a motorhome. That way, if the manufacturer changes the listing at a later date, I still have possible recourse.
Just thinking.

[rr2254545]

Old news on the Honda - I did a happy dance when I got rid of my Fit and got the Jeep

[ccchuck]

Tom/Barb wrote:

ccchuck wrote:
The 2015 Dinghy Guide mentions no Hondas. I knew the CRV was out (CVT), but had expected to see the Fit and maybe the oncoming H-RV.
Having towed Hondas for 20 years and now needing a new dinghy, this is hard news for me.

Does this list prohibit the towing of a Honda? or is it simply saying Honda doesn't recommend it?

Is it time to go 4 up?

Honda isn't mentioned at all, they do mention that the new jeep Renegade should be towable but as mentioned earlier Jeep now says no.
I don't do "4 up" so I guess I'll have to shop else where.