CRV Flat Tow Procedure

[TGA2016]

High everyone, I've drin ally got my Blue Ox and Air Force 1 installed. I've been told there's a procedure to run through the with the transmission before starting a tow. I'd be grateful is someone could pass it on.
Thanks



Barry and Pat, RVM114

[Mr_D]

It would also help to know the model year as the 2015's and 2016 are NOT towable four down due to the CVT transmission.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Barry and Pat-

It should be in your owner's manual, sometimes listed as "Recreational Towing."

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by TGA2016

High everyone, I've drin ally got my Blue Ox and Air Force 1 installed. I've been told there's a procedure to run through the with the transmission before starting a tow. I'd be grateful is someone could pass it on.
Thanks



Barry and Pat, RVM114

Barry,

The procedure is spelled out Very Clearly in your owners manual under Towing behind a motor home. The big thing is to shift from Drive to Neutral and NEVER from Reverse to Neutral. Suggest reading the manual as it is from the Horses's Mouth and not someone's opinion.

There is also a lot of discussion regarding dead battery issues with the CRV. the simple and best fix is to replace the OEM group 51 battery with a group 24 battery. The change is very simple.
Just go to your Honda dealer and buy the two piece plastic battery tray for a Honda Oddesy. Remove the old battery and tray, drop in the new tray and your new battery and your in business. When you buy the battery, look up a battery for the Oddesy and get the highest CCA you can buy. Should be 850+ compared to the OEM which is about 400.
Other than that, this is a marvellous toad.

[Dick1142]

Even easier, install a switch on the "required" fuse circuit, install the switch on the dash. Click and off you go. I made mine for maybe $5, or you can buy one for big bucks.

[Mr_D]

Our '05 Ody is not approved for four down towing, but I do it anyway. Follow the CRV procedure and it works fine although the battery does run down. I added a charge line and no more problems. We have 105,000 driven miles on the Ody now and an add'l 40,000 or so towing.

[cwj212]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Our '05 Ody is not approved for four down towing, but I do it anyway. Follow the CRV procedure and it works fine although the battery does run down. I added a charge line and no more problems. We have 105,000 driven miles on the Ody now and an add'l 40,000 or so towing.

Same here for the charge line. No fuses to pull and zero problems.


Craig and Joan
2010 Itasca Suncrusier, 2014 CRV toad

[TGA2016]

It's a 2013, it didn't have an owner manual with,of course the dealer promised to send one but we all know how that goes. I'm sure I can find it on line I'm just looking for a quick answer regarding the protocol for setting off.
Thank you


Barry and Pat, RVM114

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by TGA2016

It's a 2013, it didn't have an owner manual with,of course the dealer promised to send one but we all know how that goes. I'm sure I can find it on line I'm just looking for a quick answer regarding the protocol for setting off.
Thank you


Barry and Pat, RVM114

Here's what I have direct from the CR-V manual:

1. Start Engine

2. Press on Brake Pedal.

3. Shift through ALL positions.

4. Shift to D, then to N. Let the engine run at least three minutes and turn off

5. Release Parking Brake.

6. Leave ignition switch in Accessory so steering wheel doesn't lock.

7. Turn off radio and anything else that might possibly run from battery.

DO NOT go from Reverse to Neutral, go from Drive to Neutral only if you go through Reverse you will need to start over.

[TGA2016]

Thank you


Barry and Pat, RVM114

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Barry and Pat-

Since the dealer didn't come through for you, here is a link to Honda's page with the owner's manual. The page includes a link to a supplier of printed manuals, should you want one (send the bill to the dealer).

I extracted the relevant motorhome towing pages from the manual; they're attached.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Here's what I have direct from the CR-V manual:



DO NOT go from Reverse to Neutral, go from Drive to Neutral only if you go through Reverse you will need to start over.

Just one more suggestion....we pause about 5 seconds when shifting between gears!

I would not use the park brake during the 3-minute time, but hold the brake pedal down. Too much opportunity to forget to release the park brake!

You'll also want to either replace the "golf cart" battery with a larger one, put in a charger, run a charger circuit from the MH, or pull the accessory fuse (or a switch to disconnect it) before towing!

[Bigd9]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Just one more suggestion....we pause about 5 seconds when shifting between gears!

I would not use the park brake during the 3-minute time, but hold the brake pedal down. Too much opportunity to forget to release the park brake!

You'll also want to either replace the "golf cart" battery with a larger one, put in a charger, run a charger circuit from the MH, or pull the accessory fuse (or a switch to disconnect it) before towing!

Freightliner makes adding a charge wire easy. It is pin #4 in the trailer plug that already has 12 volt supply protected by a fuse and a relay activated only when the big diesel engine is running.

[budwilson]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Just one more suggestion....we pause about 5 seconds when shifting between gears!

I would not use the park brake during the 3-minute time, but hold the brake pedal down. Too much opportunity to forget to release the park brake!

You'll also want to either replace the "golf cart" battery with a larger one, put in a charger, run a charger circuit from the MH, or pull the accessory fuse (or a switch to disconnect it) before towing!

Yes per manual you need to pause for 5 seconds in drive before you shift to neutral.