Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2012 Honda Fit With Automatic Transmission

Question:

Hello, in your QandA section, one of your techs, Charles S., answers a question from someone asking if they can flat tow a 2012 Honda Fit with automatic transmission. The answer given was, From my research your 2012 Honda Fit with an automatic transmission can be flat towed. You should verify with your owners manual just to be sure. Also, Jameson C. says I did some checking and it looks like your 2012 Honda Fit with an auto transmission can be flat towed behind a motorhome but you have to be sure to follow all procedures outlined in the owners manual of the vehicle. Is there anyway that I can find out where the techs found that information? My 2012 Honda Fit owners manual says, improper towing such as towing behind a motorhome can damage the transmission. thanks for the assistance.

asked by: Michael

Expert Reply:

While I can't speak for how others found something, I can tell you that I Googled "2012 Honda Fit owner's manual" which took me to the online manual for the 2012 Honda Fit. I then found on page 159 it states, "Your vehicle can be towed behind a motorhome" which outlines the procedures to do so for both automatic and manual transmission models. We do always recommend verifying on your end, however. That said, here are all the parts needed to flat tow your automatic transmission 2012 Honda Fit behind your motorhome:

- Base Plate Kit: Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit # 521190-1

- Tow Bar: etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plates # e44ZR

- Wiring Kit: Roadmaster 4-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - 7-Wire to 6-Wire Hybrid Cord # RM-152-1676-7

- Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass # RM76511

- Brake-Lite Relay Kit # RM-88400

- Supplemental Braking System: Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System # DM86VR

The Roadmaster base plates are great because they have removable arms for a clean aesthetic when you aren't flat towing, and are really easy to use. The SD tow bar fits directly onto the base plates with its included crossbar attachment, and even comes with safety cables, two things you'd have to purchase separately with other tow bars. It even has an adjustable head so a high-low adapter isn't needed.

The wiring kit is designed to prevent any type of electrical feedback to keep your electrical system safe, the brake lite relay is needed to ensure your brake signal doesn't override your turn signal, and the FuseMaster is needed since you need to pull a fuse before towing. As for the braking system, the Stay-IN-Play DUO is easily the best because it gives you braking proportional to that of your motorhome. So when you hit the brakes on your motorhome, your Fit is going to get the same amount of braking power, resulting in much smoother braking than other systems.