There are many towing methods available and in use around the word. The flat towing method is one of them. Flat towing a vehicle is easier than other methods due to its simplicity and minimum preparation time.
But flat towing method is not supported by all kinds of cars. Today, we are going to discuss and find out whether a Honda CR-V can be flat towed or not.
Honda CR-V flat towed
Every model of Honda CR-V can not be flat towed. The Honda CR-Vs that were released between 1995 and 2014 possess the flat towable status. But the Honda CR-Vs that came out during 2015 to 2022 are not flat towable. A motorhome or an RV can be used to flat tow a Honda CR-V.
Honda is famous in the automobile world for producing flat towable vehicles. Honda CR-V is no exception as it was known for being a flat towable vehicle from the time of its inception.
However, the recent versions of Honda CR-V has been met with a decline in its flat towable status.
But the older models of Honda CR-V can still be flat towed using the right equipment and tools.
What makes Honda CR-V a great flat towable vehicle is its weight. The balanced weight of Honda CR-V does not create extra pressure on the motorhome or the RV.
Flat towing can come in handy if you have a Honda CR-V that was released somewhere between 1995 and 2014. Flat towing will be harmful for the latest models of Honda CR-V. So much so that it can cause physical damage to your Honda CR-V.
| Honda CR-V | Can it be flat towed? |
|---|---|
| 2022 Honda CR-V | can not be flat towed |
| 2021 Honda CR-V | can not be flat towed |
| 2020 Honda CR-V | can not be flat towed |
| 2019 Honda CR-V | can not be flat towed |
| 2018 Honda CR-V | can not be flat towed |
| 2017 Honda CR-V | can not be flat towed |
| 2016 Honda CR-V | can not be flat towed |
| 2015 Honda CR-V | can not be flat towed |
| 2014 Honda CR-V | can be flat towed |
| 2013 Honda CR-V | can be flat towed |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | can be flat towed |
| 2011 Honda CR-V | can be flat towed |
Will flat towing hurt your CR-V?
The important thing to remember here is that the Honda CR-Vs that came before the year of 2015 can be easily and effectively flat towed.
But the Honda CR-Vs that came during the year of 2015 to 2022 does not support the flat towing system. So let’s discuss in detail about why flat towing a flat towable Honda CR-V will not hurt the vehicle.
Flat towing the right model:
As discussed earlier, it is crucial to find out which Honda CR-V is flat towable and which is not. If you are not sure about the flat tow status of your Honda CR-V, then you will need to go through the user manual.
But according to automobile experts and Honda themselves, it is okay to flat tow your Honda CR-V if it came out during 1995 to 2014.
But if your Honda CR-V was released somewhere between 2015 and 2022, then you will need to refrain from flat towing it. The Honda CR-Vs that came out during this period are not flat towable at all and flat towing them will damage the vehicle.
The towing vehicle:
Selecting the right towing vehicle is crucial for the safety of your Honda CR-V. A motorhome or an RV is capable of handling the weight of your Honda CR-V. You will need to use a strong enough motorhome or RV for the flat towing procedure.
Weight of the Honda CR-V:
The weight of the Honda CR-V makes it a good choice for flat towing. Honda CR-V does not possess a lot of weight and can be flat towed safely behind a motorhome or an RV.
It is easier for the motorhomes and the RVs to drag the weight of Honda CR-Vs compared to other flat towable cars. The balanced weight of the Honda CR-V ensures that flat towing will not hurt it.
Right equipment:
If you manage to use the right equipment while flat towing your Honda CR-V, it will not get hurt.
The list of equipment needed for flat towing a Honda CR-V includes base plate kit, safety cables, tow bar, supplemental braking system, and lighting solution.
Using these equipment in the right way will ensure the success of the flat towing procedure.
Following the instructions:
The success of the flat towing procedure depends large upon following the instructions accurately. There are flat towing instructions provided by Honda themselves available in the user manual.
If there is no flat towing instructions given, you can contact Honda yourself and get the required flat towing instructions for your Honda CR-V.
Following the correct steps and methods will save your Honda CR-V from getting hurt during the flat towing procedure.
What year Honda CR-V can be flat towed?
Despite being a lightweight vehicle, not all the models of Honda CR-V can be flat towed. Honda themselves does not provide flat towing instructions for the latest models of Honda CR-V.
Let’s take a look at the list of Honda CR-V that can be flat towed successfully.
- 1995 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 1996 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 1997 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 1998 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 1999 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2000 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2001 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2002 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2003 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2004 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2005 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2006 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2007 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2008 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2009 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2010 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2011 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2012 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2013 Honda CR-V vehicle
- 2014 Honda CR-V vehicle
Can a Honda CR-V automatic be flat towed?
It is believed by automobile experts that a Honda CR-V automatic can be flat towed successfully using the automatic transmission.
The Honda CR-Vs that came during the period of 1995 to 2014 were flat towable using both the automatic transmission and the manual transmission.
However, you will need to follow the correct steps while using the automatic transmission to flat tow a Honda CR-V. Any wrong step can make the flat towing procedure difficult and unsuccessful indeed.
It is safe to go through the user manual of your Honda CR-V to find out how to flat tow it with automatic transmission.
Can a Honda CR-V be flat towed behind a motorhome or an RV?
The earlier models of Honda CR-V are designed in such a way that they can be easily flat towed behind a motorhome or an RV.
The reason behind this is the perfect weight of the Honda CR-V. The motorhome or the RV is strong enough to carry the weight of the Honda CR-V.
But you will be required to use the appropriate equipment to connect the Honda CR-V to the motorhome or the RV. The flat towing procedure can become undone if you do not use the proper tools and equipment for the process.
How to safely flat tow a Honda CR-V?
Safely flat towing a Honda CR-V might seem like a difficult task without prior experience regarding the matter. However, there are some steps and methods you can follow to accomplish this task. Let’s discuss in detail about them.
Attach the tools and equipment:
First of all, you will need to attach the tools and equipment to the Honda CR-V and the motorhome or the RV.
The base plate kit will have to be attached onto the Honda CR-V. Additionally, the tow bar will be the bridge between the Honda CR-V and the motorhome or the RV.
The attachment process does not end here. You will also need to add the safety cables along with the supplemental braking system and the lighting solution. You will need to make sure that there is no loose connection.
Alter the transmission:
Next, you will be required to alter the transmission of your Honda CR-V. The steps are different for automatic transmission and manual transmission.
You will have to go through the user manual to follow the separate steps for automatic transmission and manual transmission.
But at the end of both the procedure, the ignition key will have to be left at the Accessory position and the shift lever will need to be set at the Neutral mode.
Additional requirement:
The flat towing procedure will require some additional actions too. For example, you will have to refrain from driving the motorhome or the RV at a speed of more than one hundred kilometers per hour.
It will ensure the safety and security of your Honda CR-V.
Final Thoughts
It is not possible to flat tow all the versions of Honda CR-V due to the limitations of recent Honda CR-V models. However, the flat towable status of the older Honda CR-V models can not be denied. The older Honda CR-Vs were flat towable in both automatic transmission and manual transmission.
I am an automotive enthusiast and have been interested in cars since I was a little kid. I have worked in the automotive industry for many years and have extensive knowledge of vehicles and their engines. I am a father of two and I love spending time with my family.
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