Recommendations for Using a Roadmaster Sterling Tow Bar on a 2001 Honda CR-V

Question:

I have a seven blade female receptacle mounted on the bumper of my motorhome. Purchased a used Sterling tow bar that has two male four pin round plugs,one on each end. Need to match this up to the motorhome connection and to a diode wiring kit that I will be purchasing from you for my 2001 Honda CRV. What do you recommend?

asked by: Michael R

Expert Reply:

I would like to caution you that you will want to make sure that all the components of the Roadmaster Sterling tow bar system are present. Other customers have mentioned that there are various pieces missing or forgotten especially when buying used tow bars.

To flat tow your 2001 Honda CR-V behind your motor home you will need the following components:

Tow Bar (your used Sterling is an excellent choice)
Towed Vehicle Base Plates (compatible with your 2001 Honda CR-V, and your Sterling Tow bar)
Safety Cables (should have be included with your Sterling Tow bar)
Tow Bar Wiring
Supplemental Braking System

For your 2001 Honda CR-V if you do not already have some installed you will need a base plate kit to connect the tow bar on your motor home to your 2001 Honda CR-V. I recommend the Roadmaster XL Base Kit # 1528-3. These base plates are compatible with the Roadmaster Sterling tow bar system.

The safety cables should be included with your Roadmaster Sterling tow bar, but if not then I recommend the # RM-643. These safety cables have the same tow rating as the Sterling tow bar.

For your 2001 Honda CR-V you mentioned that you would like to install a diode kit for a tow vehicle wiring. If that is the case then I recommend using the Roadmaster # 154-792-118158 Kit. This kit contains the individual diodes needed to install it your vehicle wiring. When installed this would leave a 4 -pole connection point available at the front of your Honda. You could then use the 4-pole extension # RM-300150-00, with an adapter like the Pollak 7-way to 4-pole adapter # PK12716.

I would recommend using a different style of tow bar wiring and for your 2001 Honda CR-V, I recommend using a bulb and socket style of tow bar wiring. This serves the same function as the diode installation however the main benefit is that this type of wiring does not tap into the towing vehicle wiring. The tow wiring is independent of the vehicle wiring. In this system it treats the towed vehicle as a trailer, and you do not have to worry about any feedback between the motor home and your towed vehicles wiring.

I recommend using the Roadmaster # RM-155 bulb and socket kit for your 2001 Honda CR-V. This kit receives signal from the motor home and activates the bulbs that are permanently installed in the taillights of your vehicle. One slight disadvantage to this system is that it is not an extremely bright light output.

The Roadmaster # RM-155 kit includes a 4-pole extension so all you would need would be the Pollak 7-way to 4-pole adapter # PK12716 to connect to your motor home.

Since you will be installing a new wiring system you can discard the 4-pin male connection lead since this will not be compatible with the new wiring system.

Finally to complete the tow bar installation many states are now requiring a supplemental braking system. For this I recommend the Roadmaster even Brake Portable Proportional Braking System # RM-9400.

Please check your Honda CR-V owners manual and make sure that your specific vehicle is capable of being flat towed and check to see if any modifications need to be done for flat towing.

One of our manufacturers notes that a fuse must be pulled in order to flat tow your vehicle. Please verify this with your owners manual and check for the proper flat towing procedure to be followed in-order to flat tow your CR-V. If you would rather not pull the fuse every time you flat tow you could install the Roadmaster Fuse Master Bypass # RM76511.

I have included links to the products listed above, several helpful articles regarding flat towing, and several videos for your reference.