Towing with a 2006 Honda CRV

[catinmoon]

HI folks,
I have the opportunity to get a low mileage Honda CRV All Wheel Drive. I currently drive a Subaru Legacy, and the ground clearance is such that I have never tried to tow my teardrop with the Subaru, I use my boyfriend's toyota tacoma (4 cylinder). For the most part the tacoma does fine -- sometimes on a short steep grade we need to do some fancy gear work (it's a manual) to get up the hill. But 99% of the time no problem.

the Honda is automatic, and 4 cylinder. Might I be in danger of overtaxing the engine towing with this? Any insights or experiences appreciated.

Thanks,
Stephanie

[KennethW]

The Honda CRV has a CV transmission right? I have a ford freestyle with a CVT it is not recommended for towing. But I love it for towing the teardrop in the mountains . The engine always matches the load so I can sprint right up the grades and what ever speed I am going down ,If I shift to low it will engine brake to hold that speed. (look ma no brakes)

[catinmoon]

hi, not sure I understand the difference between a CV and CVT transmission. Can you enlighten me? How do I find out? I don't have the car now, but I have the VIN #

[KennethW]

Opps, typo CV= constant velocity , CVT= constant velocity transmission It is a transmission were a steel belt runs over tapered pulleys to drive the car.
(no gears)

[tony.latham]

I don't know what he's talking about (I'm tranny dumb) with a "CV transmission vs a CVT" but I think he says they are the same thing.

My sister and bro-inlaw pull their 800 pound drop with a Honda CR-V. I think it does fine.


Here's some discussion on another forum about it: http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/26- ... ences.html

T

[KennethW]

Sorry I am bad,only the 2015 have the CVT.

[catinmoon]

no danger of me ending up with a 2015! I think that CVT might be something a friend has on her newer Subaru crosstrek. She is not enamored with it. Thanks for the responses!

[catinmoon]

On a tangential question, does anyone know how to do a check on a vehicle using the VIN WITHOUT paying $40 to carfax?

[lrrowe]

I don't know what he's talking about (I'm tranny dumb) with a "CV transmission vs a CVT" but I think he says they are the same thing.

My sister and bro-inlaw pull their 800 pound drop with a Honda CR-V. I think it does fine.


Here's some discussion on another forum about it: http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/26- ... ences.html

T

Boy am I thankful for this great forum. While we are not perfect, posters in other forums sure can get far more brutal at times.

[aggie79]

I can't help you with the vehicle check but our 2007 Honda CR-V (front wheel drive) pulled and stopped our (un-braked) teardrop with ease.

That is, it did until I totaled the CR-V in an ice storm.

[jonw]

I've towed my 750 lb. teardrop with both a 2003 and a 2012 CRV (both AWD) with no problems, including one cross country trip of 10,000 miles.

The only issue on both was the transmission is only a 4 speed, so going up any hill will cause it to downshift and significantly reduce your gas mileage. I would usually get around 19 MPG, but on one trip from Mass. to Michigan in a summer headwind I got only 15 MPG.

I traded in the 2012 CRV for a Mazda CX-5 with a larger 2.5l engine that tows like a dream and has a much more modern 6 speed tranny.

For towing I would NOT buy a 2015 CRV due to the CVT that from what I've heard is not good for towing (but I might be misinformed on this...).

Good luck!

[Zipline65]

We have a 2006 CRV and the towing limit is 1500 lbs. We just got our teardrop this summer and have only towed it once so far. We are looking forward to several trips this year and don't anticipate problems.
Liz

[Cliffmeister2000]

The CRV has a 1,500 lb tow capacity (at least my 2004 did) and towed my teardrop just fine. Dropping from 19 MPG to 15 MPGIs easier to handle than buying a truck that gets 13 MPG as the norm.
The Mazda is not recommended for towing in the USA, although in Europe it has rated tow capacities. Probably a liability issue. The problem with towing beyond the MFG recommendation, or at all if the MFG doesn't recommend it, is liability. Insurance companies and lawyers are destroying this great nation.

[jonw]

The Mazda is not recommended for towing in the USA, although in Europe it has rated tow capacities. Probably a liability issue. The problem with towing beyond the MFG recommendation, or at all if the MFG doesn't recommend it, is liability. Insurance companies and lawyers are destroying this great nation.

Mazda sells an accessory tow hitch for the CX-5 so I'm not terribly worried - mine was installed by the dealer. IIRC, like the CRV it's rated for 1500 lbs. max.

[warnmar10]

HI folks,
I have the opportunity to get a low mileage Honda CRV All Wheel Drive. I currently drive a Subaru Legacy, and the ground clearance is such that I have never tried to tow my teardrop with the Subaru, I use my boyfriend's toyota tacoma (4 cylinder). For the most part the tacoma does fine -- sometimes on a short steep grade we need to do some fancy gear work (it's a manual) to get up the hill. But 99% of the time no problem.

the Honda is automatic, and 4 cylinder. Might I be in danger of overtaxing the engine towing with this? Any insights or experiences appreciated.

Thanks,
Stephanie

It should do fine. My 2006 Element has ~150,000 miles and 25,000 or so was towing near or sometimes above the rated tow capacity. (I'm not advocating towing above the rated capacity, just sayin'.) As has been mentioned, hilly terrain can be a challenge but slowing from 70-75 to 65-70 makes a huge difference on hills. If I lived in mountainous terrain I'd either slow down more or look for a better tow vehicle. However, the Texas Hill Country on the hottest days of the year are not a challenge. The CRV and Element are essentially the same vehicle when viewed from underneath. FWIW, towing a box trailer with the Element is teh suketh. Way more problems with wind resistance than with weight.