Community Forums

slaney · 10-30-2016, 07:27 PM

Anyone know if a Honda Element can be towed flat (4 wheels down)? Don't seem to be listed in the Motorhome list of vehicles to tow.

Thanks

l1v3fr33ord1 · 10-31-2016, 03:49 AM

slaney-

Well, there are lists, and then there is reality.

People do tow them, so it's possible. Here's a link to a Google search of iRV2 posts with the terms "Honda," "Element" and "toad" in them.

The best place to start is with the owner's manual for the year you are considering. It should have a section on "Recreational Towing" that says if the year and model is towable four-down, and if so, what the procedure to prepare it for towing is. Here's a link to Honda's Web page for the manuals.

NOTE: Some folks have towed vehicles the manufacturer has said are not towable.

We own a 2003 Element AWD. We could not tow it behind our former coach, due to its weight. I seem to remember the manual OK'd four-down towing. But, don't take my word for it.

Mr_D · 10-31-2016, 08:51 PM

What year Element?

walt2137 · 11-01-2016, 07:46 AM

We towed a 2003 for a few yrs loved every thing about the car except the road noise. I would think all are towable to the 2011 when Honda quit making them as they all had the same engine and tranny but Honda played games with us on which vehicles could be towed.

Stuff-Happens · 11-01-2016, 08:36 AM

. . .2011 HONDA ELEMENT AWD automatic transmission is what we own & tow. . .Same towing as a Honda CR-V for same year as BOTH the Element & CR-V are built with SAME engine / transmission. . . RAMCO used to show it being the same as a CR-V & one needs to use the SAME tow instructions as if the car is a CR-V. . . From memory you need to either drive vehicle for a while OR start vehicle then go to R then N them D then 2 then l then 2 then D then N & let it idle in N for 3 minuets ( DO NOT go back to R!!!! ). . .Then turn off to first detente ( leave in N ) but do NOT LOCK the steering wheel ( the radio should be able to be turned on in this position ). . . Brake off. . Ready to tow. . . Of course you want to make sure your radio is off & for us we unplug our cell phone booster as power is on to the accessories. . .We have a charging wire from the MH to the Element so that the battery does not die. . .Also you need to do the run engine & go thru the gears every 6 hours of towing. . . Google search is how I found this out. https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...303O00198A.pdf & http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/towin...is-280741.html Good info here. . .