Why are the Trailer Hitches for a 2004 Honda CR-V Rated for More Weight than the Vehicle

Updated 09/27/2017 | Published 09/26/2017

Question:

Why are people recommending a 2inch hitch for this vehicle when Honda clearly states in the owners manual that the towing capacity for the car is 1500 pounds, which is 500 pounds less than the maximum towing capacity for a 1 1/4inch hitch, let alone 1500 pounds less than what a 2inch hitch offers. Im not trying to show anybody up, Im looking to have a hitch installed on my own 04 CRV and dont want to install something that is going to be detrimental to the performance of my car. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

asked by: Ron

Expert Reply:

It's true, Draw-Tite trailer hitch # 24792, as well as the other hitch options for the 2004 Honda CR-V, exceed the capacity of the vehicle. All that means is that the hitches have those ratings, but you are still limited to the capacities of the vehicle since it is rated lower. The reciprocal would also be true: if the vehicle was rated higher than the hitch you would go by the hitch rating since it is lower.

The reason there are 2 inch hitches available for this vehicle is demand. The CR-V is a popular vehicle and there are a lot of accessories that only fit 2 inch hitches. Also, the Class I Draw-Tite hitch # 24792 is limited to 2 bikes, for example, even if the total weight is under the vehicle's tongue weight capacity. That is a limitation of a Class I hitch. A 2 inch hitch on the other hand (or a Class II, 1-1/4 inch hitch) can handle more than 2 bikes. So the benefit of having a higher Class hitch is more than just capacity.

The hitch itself, once installed, isn't going to have a detrimental effect on the vehicle. It is how that hitch is used that matters. So if it were me I would install Draw-Tite hitch # 75690 because it is more versatile than the Class I option and because the Curt Class III hitch would require the use of a stabilization strap for all non-trailer loads (bike racks and cargo carriers). Draw-Tite does not have that requirement.

expert reply by: Michael H