Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 1999 or 2011 Honda CR-V Behind a Motor Home

Question:

I am going to order the Roadmaster Base Plates, # RM-521559-4 : I have a 1999 CRV with a Stowmaster 5000 . I know I can not use the bars but I can still use the Stowmaster 5000 Rec/Hitch part correct ?

asked by: Art

Expert Reply:

I am a little confused because you entered 2011 Honda CR-V for vehicle information and typed it in the title field but the question is on a 1999 Honda CR-V. If you have a 1999 then base plates # RM-521559-4 will not fit. You need # 1528-3. For either set of base plates they are compatible with the Stowmaster tow bar you have. I have included a link showing installation of the 1528-3 base plates for you to view.

You will also need safety cables if you do not already have some. I like cables # RM-643 because the coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.

Next you will need a lighting system. For the 1999 CR-V it looks like you will need to pull a fuse to flat tow the vehicle. Consult the owners manual to confirm this and also make sure that the vehicle can be flat towed. To make pulling fuses less of a chore I recommend adding fuse bypass # RM76511. Once installed you just have to flip a switch to bypass the fuse instead of going through the hassle of pulling it every time.

For actual lights I recommend a simple magnetic kit # RM-2120. With a magnetic kit you can get set up quickly and will not have to cut into the vehicle wiring for installation.

Most states now require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. I recommend the InvisiBrake, # RM-8700, because once it is installed you will not have to worry about setting it up again. Using this system, though, you will want to ground the magnetic light kit to the CR-V instead of through the 4-Way because this braking system requires a lighting system with a substantial ground.

If you have a 2011 CR-V then you would use the 1559-1 base plates you referenced and your tow bar. The same safety cables, # RM-643, can be used as well.

It looks like the 2011 also needs to have a fuse pulled. The same fuse bypass listed above will fit the 2011 as well. You can use the InvisiBrake with the 2011 as well as the magnetic light kit, grounding the light kit to the frame of the CR-V. The difference is that on the 2011 a stop light switch kit, # RM-751000, is recommended (not required). This will activate the motor home brake-monitoring system whenever the brake pedal in the towed car is applied.

I have included a couple of helpful links on flat towing for you as well off to the right.