Honda CRV owners, lend me your ear

[TeJay]

This is all you need to do to solve any brake adjustment issues with the redi-Brute breaking system. If the system needs adjusted the DW watches the brake lights as I adjust the turn buckle. As soon as the lights go off I back the wing nut off 1/4 a turn and lock it into place. There is a star lock washer under the wing nut which hold the adjustment in place.

Initially we had a 2001 stick shift Honda CIVIC. Then my Daughter found a real nice well used 2000 Ford Ranger and we sold them our CIVIC and set it up to tow. The DW does not like to drive the stick shift so we got a used 2014 CRV with 57,000 miles.

It started making the bad noises on cold start and we had that fixed last month. The tehnician who fixed it (one of my former students) did more part replacement than is required by Honda. It cost a bit more but he feels why not change all the involved parts in the variable valve timing set up while you are that far into it??

On Honda's last TSB for this fix Honda didn't recommend changing the long timing chain. The Tech said it's a flimsy chain and will stretch again which is why it makes the noise.

[Kluffinator]

Hey. I like that turnbuckle setup. Mine is just cable clamps. I can see a trip to the hardware store in my future.

I agree that installing the ready brake cables thru the firewall of the CRV is not a piece of cake given the tight area and going between the brake lines. But if a old fat DIYer like myself was able to squirm under there on a dolly and do it then I would think a professional mechanic with a car lift would have no serious problem.

[Mr.Mark]

I'm late to the party......

Owned two Honda CR-V's AWD.... a 2007 and a 2013. Both had Navigation so I had the fuse switch installed on both. On the '07, it was to the right of the steering wheel on the dash and on the '13, it was on the left side nicely incorporated along with other switches.

Both were excellent tow vehicles, no problems with shudder or engine clatter or anything with either Honda. Drove the '07 almost 70,000 miles and towing 50,000 miles. The '13 I drove 39,000 miles and another 20,000 miles of towing.

The '07 had the M&G supplemental braking system and the '13 had the Air Force One. The '07 did have three batteries over 6 yrs. (including original) and the '13 with one replacement. I should have changed to a larger battery but didn't know that I could.

I would have bought another Honda but like has been said 100 times here, they stopped the towing version in 2015.

Also, I didn't find either Honda exceptionally loud or under powered for the type of vehicle as they both weighed about 3,400 lbs. Good all-around-car.

About the 'BURNING' smell..... Both Honda's did it including my Lincoln tow vehicle. It's the collection of debris particles picked up by the road that lands on the engine. As others have said, the smell lasts about a day until it burns off.

Safe travels,
Mark

[TeJay]

Kluffinator,

Thanks! The trunbuckle idea worked great. Buy one with an aluminum housing. It's plenty strong enough and it's lighter so it doesn't adversely affect the weight maybe causing the brakes to apply when you don't need them.

[Kluffinator]

Thanks Tejay. Yep, inadvertent brakes can be a problem. Had that happen the first time out. Had the cable a bit too tight and smoke checked the CRV front brakes. That's why I attach a bungee from the seat frame to the brake pedal to make sure the is a positive release.

[Johnynorthla]

Originally Posted by Mr.Mark

I'm late to the party......

Owned two Honda CR-V's AWD.... a 2007 and a 2013. Both had Navigation so I had the fuse switch installed on both. On the '07, it was to the right of the steering wheel on the dash and on the '13, it was on the left side nicely incorporated along with other switches.

Both were excellent tow vehicles, no problems with shudder or engine clatter or anything with either Honda. Drove the '07 almost 70,000 miles and towing 50,000 miles. The '13 I drove 39,000 miles and another 20,000 miles of towing.

The '07 had the M&G supplemental braking system and the '13 had the Air Force One. The '07 did have three batteries over 6 yrs. (including original) and the '13 with one replacement. I should have changed to a larger battery but didn't know that I could.

I would have bought another Honda but like has been said 100 times here, they stopped the towing version in 2015.

Also, I didn't find either Honda exceptionally loud or under powered for the type of vehicle as they both weighed about 3,400 lbs. Good all-around-car.

About the 'BURNING' smell..... Both Honda's did it including my Lincoln tow vehicle. It's the collection of debris particles picked up by the road that lands on the engine. As others have said, the smell lasts about a day until it burns off.

Safe travels,
Mark

I had to Search, (last year), for eight months to find a 2014 that had leather and GPS package with low mileage, 16K!, So far I’ve towed it 10,000 miles and haven’t encountered a burning smell. I did change the transmission fluid and plan on doing that often. I keep my speed around 67 mph.

[Kluffinator]

Originally Posted by TeJay

Kluffinator,

Thanks! The trunbuckle idea worked great. Buy one with an aluminum housing. It's plenty strong enough and it's lighter so it doesn't adversely affect the weight maybe causing the brakes to apply when you don't need them.

Tejay,

I followed up on your great idea. Here is my setup. I’m glad I re-read your post. I need to add the wing nut.

[ledzep30513]

I'm really looking for a CR-V to tow 4 down and was at first convinced to look on at the manual versions from 1998-2014. I don't want a fancy or issue prone set-up. So I figured a stick, 2WD(rear wheel drive) would be best. However, finding such a vehicle has proved to be an issue. Automatics are in abundance, (what nobody knows how to drive a stick?) I'll change out the ATF before my trip and probably shortly thereafter as well. I just tend to lean towards a stick. 1 clutch, fewer moving parts = less expensive. Anyone have an opinion on why an automatic would or should be my better choice?

Thanks, Jim

[ledzep30513]

Are all the years for the tow able CR-V's using timing chains or belts for the timing? I would hope that they are chains as it seems most everybody seems to forget belts need to be changed at 100K. I have yet to see any for sale ads mentioning they have changed the belt and of course, all the vehicles in my searches have 100K + on them.

Thanks again, Jim

[mbrooking]

The automatic CRV 2014 or earlier are towable all 4 wheels down

[ledzep30513]

I have learned that the 1st gen series of CR-V's 1997-2001 came with Timing belts and 02-up have chains (2nd Gen). Does anyone have a recommendation for the tow bar set up? any real difference between the Blue Ox or Curt or Demco?

thanks

[JCM]

I have used a BluOX since 1999 and had it serviced every few years in Quartzite. It has been great - no problems but now is parked in my garage since I downsized to a Triple E Wonder RTB and it is too small to tow my Honda CRV.

[ledzep30513]

Originally Posted by JCM

I have used a BluOX since 1999 and had it serviced every few years in Quartzite. It has been great - no problems but now is parked in my garage since I downsized to a Triple E Wonder RTB and it is too small to tow my Honda CRV.

Would you be interested in parting ways with it? Any idea if your unit works with any year CR-V?

[JCM]

Yes it would part with it. It should work with any tow vehicle you just need a baseplate for your vehicle.
I also have a tow shield and new BluOx braking system (never used).