How to Flat-Tow a 2012 - 2014 Honda CR-V with All Four Wheels Down
Question:
Need parts to flat tow my Honda CRV
asked by: JimBob
Expert Reply:
In order to flat-tow a 2012 - 2014 Honda CR-V with all four wheels on the ground behind a motorhome you are going to need a tow bar, base plate kit, safety cables, tail light wiring harness, supplemental braking system, and possibly a high-low adapter. There may also be a few other smaller components that are needed depending on the options the vehicle is equipped with.
For a tow bar, I recommend the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar part # RM-676. The Nighthawk is one of the best tow bars we offer. It has a non-binding and self-aligning design which makes for an extremely easy hookup. It also comes with safety cables and a wiring extension. This towbar is then compatible with the Roadmaster EZ5 Base Plate Kit part # RM-521567-5. The EZ5 Base Plate Kit is a custom fit for your CR-V and will provide you with removable arms which makes for a clean look while not in tow.
Then for a tail light wiring harness I recommend the Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles part # HM56300. This kit plugs into a pre wired connector on your CR-V which minimizes splicing. In order to then make the harness compatible with the wiring extension on the Nighthawk tow bar you will need to cut off the 4-way and wire the 6-way connector which comes with the tow bar.
For a supplemental braking system, I recommend the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System part # SM99251. I like this system because it is a one time setup and everything will be hidden once installed. In order for this system to operate properly in your vehicle you will also need to use the Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles part # RM-88400.
If you plan on towing the vehicle for extended periods of time, then in order to prevent a dead battery on the toad, I also recommend using the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles part # RM-156-25 as this will prevent that from happening. Another possible item you may want to consider is the Roadmaster Tow Bar Cover part # RM-055-3 as this will protect your Nighthawk while not in use.
If the owner's manual for your vehicle states to pull the #19 ACC fuse then I recommend using the Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass part # RM76511 but if the owner's manual states to pull both the #19 ACC fuse and the #20 ACC key lock fuse then I recommend using the Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass Switch for Towed Vehicle part # RM76512. The FuseMaster will allow you to disengage and engage the fuse(s) without having to enter/exit the vehicle which makes them very convenient.
Finally, you may or may not need to use a high-low adapter. In order to determine if there is a need to use one measure from the ground to the center of the base plate kit on the vehicle and compare that distance to the measurement from the ground to the top of the inside edge of your trailer hitch on the motorhome. If this distance is not within 3" of one another then you want to use a high-low adapter which I have attached a list of for you in addition to several other review videos on the above products.
Products Referenced in This Question
Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Plugs into Vehicle Wiring
- Wiring Harness
- Custom
- Tail Light Mount
- Hopkins
more information >
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar
- Covers and Storage
- Tow Bar Cover
- Sterling
- Eagle
- Falcon
- Blackhawk
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Accessories and Parts
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Battery Charge Line Kit
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Light Relay
- 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 >
Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Demco
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Nighthawk All-Terrain Tow Bar w/ LED Lights - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 8,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Aluminum
- 8000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Direct Connect
- Stores on RV
- Non-Binding
- Roadmaster
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
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on Tow Bar
Betty
2/23/2024
Regarding flat towing a 2014 Honda CRV, can both the 2 wheel drive & the AWD models be flat towed?