Towing Honda Fit

jules6 wrote:
The Ready Brake system is a surge brake that is built into the Ready Brute Elite tow bar and it does not use any electrical power from the motor home or the toad. You can also get a Ready Brake system to use with your existing tow bar. I went to my Honda dealer and got a plain metal key made without the built in chip that will allow me to use it to unlock the steering wheel and leave it in the ignition but it wont start the car. $10.

And if you already have a tow bar, they have just a plain surge brake that hooks between your towbar and the motorhome receiver. They also have a brakeaway setup for it. http://www.readybrake.com/

The Ready Brake system is a surge brake that is built into the Ready Brute Elite tow bar and it does not use any electrical power from the motor home or the toad. You can also get a Ready Brake system to use with your existing tow bar. I went to my Honda dealer and got a plain metal key made without the built in chip that will allow me to use it to unlock the steering wheel and leave it in the ignition but it wont start the car. $10.

luvlabs wrote:
If your braking system needs 12V then a battery disconnect is probably not a good idea. A fuse switch or a charging line (like the ToadCharge) are better solutions.

I was going to say, it probably depends on what supplemental braking system you are using and how it is set up electronically.

If your braking system needs 12V then a battery disconnect is probably not a good idea. A fuse switch or a charging line (like the ToadCharge) are better solutions.

jules6 wrote:
I am going to use the Ready Brake Elite tow bar system with the breakaway option, and a Blue Ox baseplate.

I am using the exact same set up on our Fit.
Nice quality "stuff".

Okay, I'm going to use a disconnect switch. I figure if I went with the fuse by-pass switch I would still have to reprogram the radio and clock and it costs $70-$80, a battery disconnect cost $15. If I do nothing I run the risk of killing the battery. Thanks to everyone who responded .

If anyone might be interested I am going to use the Ready Brake Elite tow bar system with the breakaway option, and a Blue Ox baseplate.

F1bNorm wrote:

Big Katuna wrote:
I'd try it first without taking the fuse out. Do you have NAV? I have heard that Nav will burn up a battery. We never had troubles with our Element or CRV battery going dead unless I would tow 2-3 days in a row without starting it or leave it on overnight.

Our '09 CRV is dead in 2-3 hours! But try it, have a jumper handy.

- Norm

How old is the battery? I never had much luck with Japanese batteries.

We have towed our '09 Fit several times for 5 to 6 hours without pulling the fuse and never had a problem.

08 Fit, no problems, and I've towed for several 8+ hr. days.

Anything plugged in to the outlet? Radio and heater off?

You should have zero problems.

A simple switch for the fuse is all we use.

That, the SMI brake switch "on", and the transmission "run through" and we're ready to go.