Can You Flat Tow a Honda CR-V?

Can you flat tow a Honda CR-V? Yes! Honda CR-Vs from 2014 or older, can be safely flat towed at speeds up to 65 mph.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Looking to flat tow your Honda CR-V behind your RV or motorhome on your next road trip? Well, you're in luck! Honda CR-Vs from 2014 or older, can be safely flat towed up to speeds of 65 mph.
Your RV or motorhome might seem like an all-in-one package for your next road trip, but once you’ve set up at your campsite, you’ll likely want another, smaller vehicle to make short trips in while you’re away. This is where flat towing your Honda CR-V—which puts the SUV on all four wheels—offers an efficient and cost-effective alternative to other towing methods. 
Unfortunately, not all Honda CR-Vs can be flat towed safely without causing severe damage to their transmissions. The model year of your CR-V will determine if you can flat tow it behind your RV.
If your CR-V was manufactured in 2014 or before, you won't have to worry about damaging your Honda or voiding your warranty or insurance coverage by flat towing an unsuitable model.  Here to answer all of your questions about how to flat tow your Honda CR-V is
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Can you flat tow a Honda CR-V?

According to the Honda CR-V owner’s manual, all CR-Vs from 2014 or before can be safely flat towed behind a motorhome or RV. 
Honda
explains that the CR-V “can be towed behind a motorhome at legal highway speeds up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not exceed 65 mph (100 km/h). Otherwise, severe transmission damage will occur. To avoid damage to the 4WD system, it must be towed with all four wheels on the ground (flat towing)”. This is true regardless of whether your CR-V has a five-speed manual transmission or an automatic transmission
Keep in mind that going against Honda’s advice of staying below speeds of 65 mph can result not only in damage to your CR-V but also in the voiding of your warranty and potentially the voiding of your insurance coverage. 
If your Honda CR-V is a 2015 or newer model, it can not be flat towed. Instead, Honda recommends calling a professional towing service specializing in flatbed towingMORE:
Honda Fit towing capacity
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How to flat tow a Honda CR-V

Now that you know that your CR-V model year 2014 or older can safely be flat towed, it’s time to figure out how to do so to ensure the safety of both your Honda and your motorhome. Flat towing involves more than just connecting a tow bar between the two vehicles and requires that drivers take certain necessary safety precautions. 
Follow this step-by-step guide to safely flat tow your Honda CR-V:
  • Attach your CR-V and your motorhome using a reliable tow bar
  • Ensure that your CR-V’s emergency brake is on and insert the tow bar attachment tabs into their receivers
  • You can now release the latch handles on the tow bar’s extending arms and secure the town bar on both ends using lynch pins
  • To prepare your CR-V for safe flat towing, start the engine and allow it to idle for a few minutes at 1,000 RPM
  • Press down on the brake pedal and move the gearshift through all of its positions before shifting into drive (D)
  • Hold on drive (D) for five seconds, then shift into neutral (N)
  • Allow your CR-V to idle in neutral (N) for three minutes
  • Next, turn the ignition key into the acc position—this will shut off the engine while leaving the steering wheel unlocked
  • Finally, attach the safety cable and plug it into the wiring harness on your CR-V and you’re done!
Before flat towing your CR-V, ensure that your climate control system is switched into its recirculated air mode—otherwise, dangerous and destructive exhaust fumes from your motorhome run the risk of entering your CR-V’s cabin. 
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How to save on insurance for your CR-V

You can keep your towing expenses low when you flat tow your Honda CR-V behind your RV or motorhome, but did you know that you can save even more on your automotive-related expenses when you switch your car insurance policy using the
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