Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2014 Honda CR-V  

Question:

Expert Reply:

There are a number of parts you're going to need in order to flat tow your 2014 Honda CR-V, starting with compatible base plates. I recommend the Roadmaster EZ4 Base Plate Kit # RM-521567-4 due to the clean look they'll give your Honda. For a tow bar I recommend going with the Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar # RM-520 because of how easy the tow bar is to connect to the base plates as well as its long arms, which make it easier to maneuver when towing; you will also need safety chains # RM-643.

For wiring kit that will allow your CR-V's lights to function while being towed you can use the Roadmaster Universal Hy-Power Diode Wiring Kit # RM-154 due to its relativley easy installation. Keep in mind you will need to pull fuses on your CR-V, and if your owner's manual says to only pull the #19 ACC radio fuse you'll need Fuse Bypass # RM76511 and if it states to pull the #19 ACC radio fuse and the #20 ACC key lock fuse, use part # RM76512.

A supplemental braking system is a requirement in most states and because you said you did not want to move a box every time you use the car I highly recommend the SMI Stay-IN-Play # SM99251 for this. This is a proportional braking system which is a one-time install which you can leave in so you'll never have to deactivate or re-activate it. You will also need to use the Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit # RM-88400 to prevent the CR-V's brake signal from overriding the turn signal from your Winnebago when applying the brakes during a turn.

Finally, it is likely you will need a high-low adapter such as # RM-076 to keep your tow bar level with your tow vehicle. The adapter you need is going to depend on some measurements you'll need to take. I have added a link to a help article on high-low adapters which explains the measurements you'll need, as well as a link to our page with our selection of adapters. I've also attached links to video reviews and installs (many on a '14 CR-V) of the other aforementioned parts for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0

Pj

4/18/2018

Thanks for your reply. I do have some add'l questions. I was looking for a non-binding tow bar and it seems the the Falcon 2 is one of the Classic series rather than the non-binding. Would the Falcon All Terrain be the model I would want instead? I was considering the Nighthawk with the LED lights for added safety when towing at night but see that it's several hundred dollars more expensive. I have a friend who tows an older (2006) CR-V behind his Tiffin Phaeton and he was telling me to run a charge wire from the 7 pin harness on the coach to the CR-V instead of doing a fuse bypass. Is that a viable alternative to a fuse bypass kit? My owner's manual says to pull fuses for extended towing, ie., greater than 8 hrs but does not mention it in the general flat towing instructions. If one does use a fuse bypass kit, what happens if one forgets to flip the switch from Tow to Drive, or vice versa? I am also wondering about the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms Item # BX2258 as an alternative to the Roadmaster EZ4 base plate. Having watched the installation videos for each base plate it seems that the Blue Ox is easier and also provides a clean look to the front of the vehicle. I don't particularly like the look of the front of the vehicle when the RM tow bar is not attached and the cross bar remains on the towed car. I believe there would be an adapter if I went with a RM tow bar but had a Blue Ox base plate? Did I observe correctly that the Nighthawk does not have this cross bar connection on the towed vehicle? Please set me straight. :-) Thanks for your time in answering my questions.

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Kyle S.

4/18/2018

For a non-binding tow bar you are correct that the Falcon All Terrain # RM-522 would be a great choice. It does not have the LED lights or accompanying safety cables like the Nighthawk # RM-676 (which, to answer another of your questions does not have the crossbar), but the Falcon is going to get the job done and still features a self-aligning design and long arms for great maneuverability. As for the fuses, you are going to need to pull the fuse like stated in your owner's manual; I would not be able to recommend going against those instructions. If you are using a fuse bypass such as # RM76511 or # RM76512 and forget to flip the switch to "Tow" before towing, it will likely result in your CR-V's battery being drained. Alternatively, attempting to drive if forgetting to switch to "Drive" will result in the loss of the functionality of that fuse. Finally, in terms of your base plate question, the Blue Ox # BX2258 is a fit and you are correct about the adapter; you can use the Falcon All-Terrain # RM-522 tow bar simply by using Roadmaster Tow Bar to Blue Ox Brackets Adapter # RM-031. I've added some more links to video reviews featuring the above products for you to check out as well.

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