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Toad assistance needed

Yahoo Message Number: 103882
I purchased a pre-owned CC in Sept. and unfortunately none of our 3 current vehicles can be towed flat.

I am looking for a tow-able  that I can trade my 2002 F150 for and have found a couple of Honda CRV EX that appear to be toawble (according to the Remco web site).

Does anyone have any experience towing this kind of vehicle? Remco indicates not to tow faster than 65MPG? Is that a problem?

I would appreciate any suggestions about the Honda or any other possibilities.

thanks

John Huff
Allure 470

42' Siskiyou Summit
31397

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103883
John:

I'm sure you've looked into the drive shaft disconnect option for your F-150?  I've towed my 2003 2WD Tundra with a drive shaft disconnect for years with no problems whatsoever.  65 mph is as fast as I ever go but No speed restriction.

Richard

2001 Affinity

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103885
If you are OK with used the later model GMC Envoys or Trail Blazer are very easy to tow (4 wheel drive).  Put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in park.  Doesn't have locking steering wheel so can turn ignition off and remove the key.  No speed limitations.  We have a 2006 Envoy with 120K on it and it's running strong. Stopped production on Envoy n 2009. I think the GMC 4 wheel drive trucks are about the same.  Not sure about the locking steering wheel.  When we had a vehicle with the locking wheel, installed a battery disconnect.
 We've been looking at a "Next Vehicle", new.  Considering the 4 door Jeep unlimited.  Right price range for us.  Similar towing set up.  Also would consider a GMC half ton pickup with extra cab or the 4 door model.  We've had great luck with GMC's!

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103886
Richard,

My F-150 is a crew cab 4 door, and a little more vehicle than I think we need or want to tow, so I thought it'd be a good to seek something smaller.

thanks

John Huff

2006 Allure 470
42' Siskiyou Summit
31397

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103887
The Ford Fusion Hybrid is towable. There are no speed restrictions or tow  procedures, etc. Hook up put it in Neutral and go.

Mikee

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103889
John,

I recently purchased my 2006 Allure and then purchased a 2011 Honda CRV EX for my tow.  I had a Blue Ox towing package installed and everything has been working nicely.  There is a specific procedure in the Honda owners manual for getting the transmission ready for towing.

My understanding is that the 2015 and newer CRVs cannot be flat-towed because of a change in the design of the transmission.  Older CRVs are ok.

Stu Koop

Allure 430 Hood River
#31301

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103904
I've towed a 2002 CR-V more than 60K miles and really like it.  I installed a simple A-B switch to bypass the fuse that needs to be pulled so that the battery doesn't drain and I run it through the gears at the end of each day and have had no problems.  And, it is a great second car to boot.  2015 and newer CR-Vs are not towable because of the transmission change.

Dave Glen

'06 Magna 6591

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103906
Have towed a 2013 Chevy Equinox AWD 4-down since 2013 without issue. Have to stay under 65 mph, but DP mileage went up nicely and we seem to get there in good time. We love the car. 1 fuse to pull is all.

Jeff Thurston

03/04 Intrigue 42 Ovation 11630

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103908
I tow a '13 CRV and like it.  Had Camping World install the baseplate and also a switch that eliminates need to pull the fuse.  I forget the weight of the car but it was at the lower end of all cars I reviewed before opting for the Honda.  As for 65 MPH, for me that isn't a concern.  I typically cruise about 60 to 62 with occasional passing speeds slightly above 65.  Driving constant 65 or higher is too taxing on my peaceful demeanor.

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103918
John:

I pull a F250 SD, gives new meaning to a diesel pusher, and have for 10 years. It was cheaper to buy a Remco shaft disconnect than buy a new vehicle.

John Beach

06 Allure 31309

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103920
As I remember 2014 was the last year you can tow a CR-V,  My 2012 has over 40,000 towed miles and over 30,000 driven miles and has never given me a moment of trouble.  I will have to get new tires soon has my tread depth is down to 7/32 .

I see a lot of CR-V's being towed.  They are light weight relative to other SUV's  which helps increase fuel milage.  I picked up over a 1/2 mpg when I traded in my Odessey.  I think Honda is making a big mistake not designing towable vehicles.    I use road master  tow system, which was installed by HITCH PRO TOW in Eugene Oregon.  They are great folks and do excellent work.  There is no sales Tax in Oregon.  TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103921
For our 2008 Fit (ASA FDDL), we must run the engine from a cold start for 3 minutes.  Drop the shift into drive for 15 seconds, then go back to neutral and continue idling.  Whatever you do, don't have reverse as your last position before neutral.  No problems in over 50K miles.

My understanding is that the 2015 and newer CRVs cannot be flat-towed because of a change in the design of the transmission.  Older CRVs are ok.
The issue here, as I understand it, is the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).  NO car with a CVT is, so far as I know, flat towable.  As I understand it, all hybrids and other ecologically superior cars (such as electric vehicles) have CVTs, and now Honda has included CRVs in this mix.

I have a problem understanding why auto manufacturers (particularly of electric vehicles) cannot simply supply a cut-out switch to isolate the transmission when the vehicle is to be towed.  How much more could that cost?

Ken
2004 Allure #31035
Stu Koop
Allure 430 Hood River
#31301

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103935
Some 4x4 Fords actually have the neutral switch in the transfer case but not in the cab.  A Ford dealer can check to see if your F150 has the switch in the case.  If so, an activation switch can be added to the dash to make it towable 4-down.  There are a couple of other options too.  Either have a drive shaft disconnect installed or a transmission pump.  I tow a 4x4 Chevy Silverado Ext. cab.  I press and hold two buttons for about ten seconds and I'm ready to roll.  There are no distance or speed restrictions on the GM 4x4's that have a neutral selection in the transfer case.  I like towing a full size truck.  The bed hauls a golf cart nicely.

Britt

2004 Intrigue 11836

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103942
I have been flat towing my 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid with the CVT for over 4 years now. Road master  makes the tow brackets for the 2003-2005 model years. I went on U-Tube and there is a video on the CVT that explains why the transmission disconnects when in Neutral.

Craig Spiess

2007 Inspire 360 DaVinci
#51959

2005 Honda Civic Hybrid 4 Down
SMI Air Force One

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103943
I am still trying to get my mind around all of this and looking for recommendations for a brake buddy for the Honda CRV toad. Any suggestions, or experiences/feedback would be great.

thanks to all, I've learned so much about my CC from all of the folks on this list!!

John Huff

2006 Allure 470
42' Siskiyou Summit
31397

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103945
As I remember 2014 was the last year you can tow a CR-V,  My 2012 has over 40,000 towed miles and over 30,000 driven miles and has never given me a moment of trouble.  I will have to get new tires soon has my tread depth is down to 7/32 .   

I see a lot of CR-V’s being towed.  They are light weight relative to other SUV’s  which helps increase fuel milage.  I picked up over a 1/2 mpg when I traded in my Odessey.  I think Honda is making a big mistake not designing towable vehicles.    I use road master  tow system, which was installed by HITCH PRO TOW in Eugene Oregon.  They are great folks and do excellent work.  There is no sales Tax in Oregon.  TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103946
Ford CVT vehicles are towable.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103951
On our Honda Fit, we have a US Gear system. Works wondrously well.
 Our previous towed vehicle was a 1989 Honda Accord which we towed for about 15 years. On that car we had an M&G system, which also worked wondrously well.

 Each acts by controlling the brake pedal of the towed vehicle,  albeit by differing means; no devices necessary to act against the  brake pedal such as the Brake Buddy requires. Front end hookup at  the tow bar is all that is needed.
 I recommend either, although I understand there are some  limitations to the vehicles that can receive the M&G system.

Ken

2004 Allure #31035

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103955
Hi, we went with the Air Force One system on our Intrigue. It has been great. Uses the air system from the coach to apply the brakes at the same rate that you apply the coach brakes. Simple air disconnect fitting and electrics. Our other system had to be set up in the toad's floorboard each time. Too much trouble.
Ken Blitchington
2000 Intrigue 32'

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103957
We flat tow a '14 Subaru Forester with manual transmission (6 speed) and the SMI Air Force One braking system. This is our third Subaru Forester. We have been flat towing them for 14 years, with no problems. The AF1 braking system is the best avail, IMHO.
I personally would avoid Brake Buddy types. They are a pain to hook up and unhook. I have seen them fail to release the brakes after braking resulting in ruined tires.
DavidW

06 Intrigue 11993

Re: Toad assistance needed

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103958
I've used both.  The original Brake Buddy worked fine, but I finally replaced it (with a great deal from Hdqs on a "turn in") with the red one.  So, I now have the more automatic one (can't remember its name) that bleeds the lines automatically with the touch of a button.  It takes about 3 minutes to set it up for towing and I stow it in its bag when I'm in one location for a period of time.  Basically plug and play.  It can be set to proportional from a remote on the dash.

Great set-up.

Dave Glen

'06 Magna 6591