Recommendations on Flat Towing a 2017 Honda Fit with a Manual Transmission.
Question:
2017 Honda Fit Manual Transmission. Is this car towable? Do you carry the base plate, etc?
asked by: Jeff K
Expert Reply:
According to the Owner's Manual, the 2017 Honda Fit is towable behind a motorhome if it has the manual transmission. The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) model cannot be flat towed.
The base plate that I recommend for the Honda Fit is the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BX2261. The Blue Ox base plate is a custom fit piece that is hidden beneath the vehicle's body. Blue Ox also provides all the hardware needed.
Blue Ox does state that the bumper fascia will have to be removed and some minor drilling and trimming of the bumper will occur during installation.
The Blue Ox Alpha Tow Bar # BX7380 is a telescoping tow bar that is the the tow bar I recommend with the Blue Ox base plate. The Blue Ox tow bar has a 6,500 lbs capacity and self-aligining arms to help hooking up to the your RV. The self aligining arms will help in the hook up of your vehicle either on flat or unlevel ground. Also, the Blue Ox Alpha tow bar will include the safety cables where other manufacturers make you purchase these cables separately.
Wiring for the brake lights on your Honda would be the next step. There are a couple of options that you can choose from when wiring for lights. The use of a diode wiring kit, like part # RM-15247, will allow you to splice into the Fit's wiring by using diodes to prevent feedback between the RV and flat towed vehicle at the 7-way connection. You will also need to pull certain fuses to tow this vehicle. You can install fuse bypasses that will make this a lot easier when you need to tow. You will need part # RM76511 and # RM76512 fuse bypass switches.
However, if you do not want to spice in to your vehicle's wiring you could use Optronic's Magnetic Tow Lights # TL21RK. These lights will secure to your vehicle with a magnetic base and wire separately to the RV. There is no need to wire into the car's electrical system with this kit.
A supplemental brake system is an important part of flat towing that you will also need to decide on for your Honda Fit. Not only are supplemental brake systems helpful in the slowing and stopping of the flat towed vehicle, but these systems are required in nealry every state by law.
I recommend the Blue Ox Patriot Protable Braking System # BLU37TR. This system sits in front of the driver's seat of the floor and hooks to the vehicle's brake pedal. The unit is powered using a 12-volt plug that can run of the vehicle's 12-volt accessory plug. However, some vehicles may have to install # RM-9332 12-Volt Outlet Kit, 20 amp. Installation is required because vehicle power to 12-volt accessory may be truned off. The Blue Ox Patriot is a porportional brake system in that the system will senses when the RV is braking. The Patriot will apply the amount of brake to you car with the same intensity of the brake being applied to the RV.
I have attached links on the products and articles on flat towing for you to view.
Products Referenced in This Question
Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Recurring Set-Up
- Portable System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Blue Ox
more information >
Blue Ox Alpha 2 Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,500 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 6500 lbs
- Fits Blue Ox Base Plates
- Blue Ox
more information >
Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 4-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Splices into Vehicle Wiring
- Diode Kit
- Universal
- Tail Light Mount
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass - 13" - 20-Amp Mini-Fuse
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Bypasses Vehicle Wiring
- Fuse Bypass
- Custom
- Mini Fuse
- Engine Compartment
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass Switch for Towed Vehicle - (2) 20-Amp ATM Mini-Fuses
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Bypasses Vehicle Wiring
- Fuse Bypass
- Custom
- Mini Fuse
- Engine Compartment
- Roadmaster
more information >
Heavy Duty Magnetic Tow Lights - 20' Wiring Harness with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Bypasses Vehicle Wiring
- Removable Tail Light Kit
- 20 Foot Long Harness
- Universal
- Magnetic Mount
- Optronics
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Blue Ox
more information >
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