Tow Bar, Base Plates and Flat Towing Equipment Recommended for 2014 Honda CR-V

Updated 01/05/2015 | Published 01/04/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Commander II Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs

(80)

$879.00

Demco Tabless Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(386)

$469.58

Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles

(140)

$80.64

Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass Switch for Towed Vehicles - 20-Amp ATM Mini-Fuse

(357)

$83.93

Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional

(755)

$1175.00

Question:

looking at the honda cr-v to tow....what whould we buy... also when towing will the toad rack up miles or not...we have heard different stories...like if in neutral no miles? thanks your 6000 model looks like the right one...tthe honda weights 3600 lbs.

asked by: Bill M

Expert Reply:

According to an online copy of the owner's manual, your 2014 CR-V is capable being flat towed. However, Honda has some VERY specific procedures that need to be followed, so I would urge you to consult your owner's manual.

I checked with several industry sources, and the general consensus is that if the wheels of the vehicle are turning, miles would be added to the odometer.

The Commander II Tow Bar you referred to, part # DM9511012, will work just fine for you, it also includes the safety cables you'll need. You'll also need several other components in order to safely flat tow your vehicle, starting with the base plates, part # DM9519328. The base plates will bolt to the front frame members of the vehicle, providing a very strong attachment point for the tow bar. It also provides the ability to quickly disconnect the tow bar and leave the appearance of the vehicle unaffected.

You'll also need to wire the vehicle so that its taillights work in tandem with those of the RV, for an easy, plug and play installation, use the Hopkins part # HM56304. The owner's manual also suggests that the radio fuse be removed so the battery isn't run down while towing. A fuse bypass like part # RM76511 will allow you to bypass the fuse without having to remove it each time you tow.

A supplemental braking system like the Stay-IN-Play DUO, part # SM99251 is also required by law in just about every state and Canadian province. The DUO is extremely easy to use. It does require a complete install but after that you just flip a switch to get it ready to tow. You can see it in the video I've linked for you.

The wiring install will be fairly simple, but the base plate installation is pretty involved, as you can see in the video I've linked. Once the base plates are installed, hooking up the tow bar to the base plates is a simple process. I've also linked you to a video for that. I'll also link some flat towing FAQ articles for you.