Trailer Hitch Recommendation for a 2013 Honda CR-V LX AWD

Question:

I am buying a 2013 Honda CR-V LX AWD. On the vehicle specifications, the max towing weight is noted as 1500 lbs. The max tongue weight allowed is noted as 10 percent of the towing weight 150 lbs max. First off, am I doing my calculations correctly? Secondly, on the hitches you have available for this vehicle, the Curt model is rated for a tongue weight of ~350 lbs, and the Draw-tite model is rated for ~520 lbs. I can see an advantage of having a higher tongue weight, but if Honda is saying not to load more than 150 lbs, is there any real advantage to the higher tongue weight? Also, since I want to use a hitch-mount bike rack, do I sum the rack weight and bike weights when calculating how much weight I am loading on the tongue? Finally, taking into account all these issues, what is your recommendation between the Curt and Draw-tite hitches?

asked by: Josh B

Expert Reply:

The tongue weight figure you referenced, 150 pounds, is correct if the hitch or owners manual states the max tongue weight is 10 percent of 1,500 pounds.

The vehicle tongue weight capacity is what you will need to go by, even if the hitch is rated higher. In this case, if the hitches you are interested both exceed the tongue weight capacity of the vehicle, there is no advantage to going with the higher of the two.

When you are calculating how much weight is on the hitch you would indeed use the combined weight of the bike rack and the bikes.

If given the choice between Curt trailer hitch # C13119 and Draw-Tite trailer hitch # 75742, I would go with Draw-Tite. The reason is that the Draw-Tite trailer hitch does not require the use of a stabilization strap for non-trailer loads (bike racks, cargo carriers) whereas the Curt trailer hitch does. The strap in question is # 18050. I have include a link to a video showing a typical installation of the Draw-Tite trailer hitch on a 2013 CR-V for you.

Curt does require the stabilization strap for their warranty. If it were me, I would avoid having to use the strap and go with a different hitch. Some people do not mind using the strap. The strap does reduce the movement of the rack and stress on the hitch. I have linked a video showing how it works.