What’s your thoughts of towing a 2013 Honda CRV EX-L

[FireAgateGuy]

im considering buying a 2013 Honda CRV ex-l awd. I would like your thoughts.

[txcpl]

We tow a 2013 CRV not awd. Check owners manual to be sure.

[inlineskater]

We tow a 2014 EXL AWD. It has worked fine, have 50,000 on it and towed about 20,000. I installed a switch for the fuse that must be shut off during towing. Look at your manual for which one it is. I bought a blue ox switchable fuse, very easy to install. I have a blue ox base plate and tow bar. I had Camping World wire the brake lights and install an Invisa-Brake.

[Winemaker2]

We are on our second CRV toad. 1st 2005 now 2014 and really like them.
I've used separate bulbs installed in the rear lenses for towing to avoid any issues w tieing into wiring.
I put a fuse cut out switch on the first one but I installed a charge wire from MH to toad this time around and haven't had the need to mess w fuses.
If you are a DIY type guy you can do the install and save some $. If not find a competent installer.
Trailer has good videos for CRV install to review and decide if it's for you.

[bearaboo]

We tow a 2013 EXL AWD. Never had a bit of trouble. 63000 miles on odometer and at least another 30000 of towing. I use and RVI Brake 2 and installed a battery charge line from the motor home to the CRV battery. I also replaced the stock battery with a larger group 24F, which fits in the space of the old battery.

[Traveldude]

Love our 14 CRV. 3 across US trips. No problems. Road master set up is easy. SMI braking system fantastic. So light and aerodynamic that I get same mpg with or wo toad.

[FireAgateGuy]

Thanks for all the replies. I've been convinced to find a CRV.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by FireAgateGuy

Thanks for all the replies. I've been convinced to find a CRV.

As you've been told and read, about 99.99% of the CRVs made are flat towable. We towed one for about a year and sold it because we had other plans. Now, as for wiring, there's no need to worry about tying into the factory wiring. If you look at the wiring schematic I drew up for our '11 CRV, when I wired it for towing, you'll see it's very straight forward. I've done it this way for decades and, so far, no vehicles have gone up in flames by using the factory tail lights as toad lights.

Not only that but, it was designed so that ALL the correct lights work back there, including the AMBER turn signals. It was not very hard to set it all up. Take al look at the schematic. If you'd like to try and do it this way, and have any questions at all, please PM me and I'd be very happy to help. The CRVs lights work the EXACT same when towing it, as they do when driving it. Your followers will really appreciate that.
Scott

[FireAgateGuy]

Thanks. I will give it a shoot,

[milkman55]

We have a 2014 CR-V 2WD, I have read many people tow the AWD. We bought the 2014 Honda Certified Used as we knew it was the last year that could be towed. I have put 20k miles on the car driving and another 14k towing in about 15 months. It has been very easy to tow behind our Sprinter RV.

[alank]

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

As you've been told and read, about 99.99% of the CRVs made are flat towable. We towed one for about a year and sold it because we had other plans. Now, as for wiring, there's no need to worry about tying into the factory wiring. If you look at the wiring schematic I drew up for our '11 CRV, when I wired it for towing, you'll see it's very straight forward. I've done it this way for decades and, so far, no vehicles have gone up in flames by using the factory tail lights as toad lights.

Not only that but, it was designed so that ALL the correct lights work back there, including the AMBER turn signals. It was not very hard to set it all up. Take al look at the schematic. If you'd like to try and do it this way, and have any questions at all, please PM me and I'd be very happy to help. The CRVs lights work the EXACT same when towing it, as they do when driving it. Your followers will really appreciate that.
Scott

I am curious in your diagram why the brake light wire appears to be connected to the left turn light wire? Why wouldn't it also be connected to the right turn light wire.
I would think it shouldn't be connected to either one.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by alank

I am curious in your diagram why the brake light wire appears to be connected to the left turn light wire? Why wouldn't it also be connected to the right turn light wire.
I would think it shouldn't be connected to either one.

Alank,
If you look at that diagram closely, due to the fact that the Honda CRV utilizes AMBER turn signals, I used what's called a "Tail light converter". That's the square box that has a combo Rt turn/brake, a LF turn/brake and a ground on the incoming side. There are THREE wires on the outgoing side. A Right turn, a LEFT turn and a BRAKE light wire. The right turn wire is colored yellow and the left turn wire is colored green. The right turn wire "Tee's" into the factory wire that is the right turn AMBER light on the Honda. The Green wire "Tee's" into the factory wire that leads to the LEFT Amber turn signal.

Now, if you follow the RED brake wire out of that converter, it leads to the STOP lights the stop light filaments on the CRV. It DOES NOT "TEE" into any of the HONDAS turn light wires for the Amber turn signals. In that wiring schematic, that RED wired, leading from the center of the converter, can tie into either side of the brake light filaments on the HONDA. It really doesn't matter which side.

I'm one of those that is not afraid of tieing into the factory wiring for lighting. I have done it many, many times on multiple vehicles including but not limited to, Jeeps, (all years and models), CRVs, GMC Pickups, Toyota pickups, and more, And to date, not one single vehicle has ever gone up in flames by tying into the factory wiring.

Tying into factory wiring for lights is not rocket science. It it was, I couldn't do it. I'm also one that likes the tail lights on a toad, no matter what kind of toad, to act the same EXACT WAY, when towing it, as they do when driving it. It's a personal thing to me. It's just not that hard.
Scott

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by alank

I am curious in your diagram why the brake light wire appears to be connected to the left turn light wire? Why wouldn't it also be connected to the right turn light wire.
I would think it shouldn't be connected to either one.

Alank,
If you look at that diagram closely, due to the fact that the Honda CRV utilizes AMBER turn signals, I used what's called a "Tail light converter". That's the square box that has a combo Rt turn/brake, a LF turn/brake and a ground on the incoming side. There are THREE wires on the outgoing side. A Right turn, a LEFT turn and a BRAKE light wire. The right turn wire is colored green and the left turn wire is colored . The right turn wire "Tee's" into the factory Honda wire that is the right turn AMBER light on the Honda. The Green wire "Tee's" into the factory Honda wire that leads to the LEFT Amber turn signal.

Now, if you follow the RED brake wire out of that converter, it leads to the STOP lights the stop light filaments on the CRV. It DOES NOT "TEE" into any of the HONDAS turn light wires for the Amber turn signals. It may look like it's tied into the yellow wire but, it's not. I would have stated it did if, it did. In that wiring schematic, that RED wire, leading from the center of the converter, can tie into either side of the brake light filaments on the HONDA. It really doesn't matter which side and, it will light up both right and left brake lights of the Honda.

I'm one of those that is not afraid of tieing into the factory wiring for lighting. I have done it many, many times on multiple vehicles including but not limited to, Jeeps, (all years and models), CRVs, GMC Pickups, Toyota pickups, and more, And to date, not one single vehicle has ever gone up in flames by tying into the factory wiring.

Tying into factory wiring for lights is not rocket science. It it was, I couldn't do it. I'm also one that likes the tail lights on a toad, no matter what kind of toad, to act the same EXACT WAY, when towing it, as they do when driving it. It's a personal thing to me. It's just not that hard.
Scott

[MSHappyCampers]

We have that model and love it! I used the Roadmaster baseplate and lighting kit, with ReadyBrute Elite towbars and braking system.