Does Battery of 2014 Honda CRV Need to Be Disconnected to Flat Tow Vehicle Behind Motorhome

Question:

Can battery be disconnected on 2014 Honda CRV AWD when being Towed by RV?

asked by: S T

Expert Reply:

There's no need to disconnect the battery. Most supplemental braking system need battery power available in order to operate.

According to the recreational towing procedures listed in the owner's manual, if you'll be towing more than 8 hours a day, they recommend removing one or two fuses (depending on how your vehicle's equipped) to prevent the battery from being discharged. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to do this regardless of how long you're flat towing.

If your version of the manual recommends removing one fuse only, you can use a fuse bypass, part # RM76511. If the manual recommends removing two fuses, use the # RM76512 fuse bypass. The bypass allows you do disable the fused circuit using a dash mounted switch (or wherever else you'd care to install it) while you're flat towing. When you're ready to drive the vehicle normally, simply flip the switch. If you're using a braking system that would plug into the 12-volt outlet on the dash, you'll need to install a 12-volt outlet # RM-9332, because the fuse bypass will shut off the outlet in the dash.

Honda lists some very specific procedures for flat towing the vehicle without damaging it, you'll want to follow them to the letter. I've linked you to some of our flat towing FAQ articles. I hope you'll find them helpful.

expert reply by: Mike L