Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2008 Honda CR-V Behind Motorhome

Expert Reply:

Your 2008 Honda CR-V is a popular vehicle for towing behind a motorhome and we can help you get yours all set with the items needed for safe and legal flat towing. The linked overview article has lots of helpful information and is a great place to start your planning.

Let's start with a baseplate for the CR-V. For this I recommend the Roadmaster EZ5 kit # RM-521559-5. This base plate features removable arms with a handy twist-lock attachment so there are no pins to get lost. The arms can be easily removed and stored and this allows it to keep more of its usual appearance.

For a matching tow bar I suggest the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar # RM-676. This tow bar includes the required safety cables and it features aircraft-grade aluminum construction for lower weight and freedom from rust, built-in LED lights for easier nighttime hookup and for improved visibility on the road and it has extra-long telescoping arms that won't bind. Thanks to all of these features this one will be easier to use than most other tow bars. To keep the tow bar clean when it is stowed on the motorhome I suggest using the Roadmaster Tow Bar Cover, item # RM-055-3.

For a wiring harness to operate the CR-V lights while you're towing I suggest a custom harness kit from Hopkins, part # HM56300, that allows for a simpler plug-in installation as shown in the linked video. This harness has built-in diodes to prevent electrical feedback between the RV and the toad.

For a braking system to operate the CR-V's brakes I recommend the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System # SM99251. This is a proportional system that will slow the car at the same rate that you slow down the motorhome. It uses an accelerometer to sense the rate of deceleration and it then applies the car's brakes proportionately. This item requires a one-time installation and the process for a 2011 CR-V is shown in the linked video. You will also use a Stop Light Switch Kit # RM-751436 to activate the motorhome brake-monitoring system whenever the brake pedal in towed car is applied.

You'll also need a charge line kit to maintain the CR-V's battery while you tow. Use Roadmaster part # RM-156-25 which installs easily as shown in the included video. And since the CR-V requires you to remove the 7.5-amp Accessory Radio fuse to reduce drain on the battery while it is towed you can simplify this step by installing a fuse bypass switch # RM76511. Instead of having to actually pull out the fuse you'll just flip a switch when you want to tow.

Last you will probably also need a high/low hitch adapter such as # RM-076 to keep the connected tow bar level. All tow bars perform best when they are close to level and the appropriate high/low adapter lets your tow bar be level even when the motorhome is taller than the towed vehicle. All such items for 2-inch hitches are linked along with an article that explains how to pick the best one for your towing setup.

expert reply by: Adam R

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