Best Hitch for Bike Rack & Trailer Towing with 2018 Honda CR-V
Published 01/16/2019
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Question:
Our 18 CR-V needs a hitch. I see you have two sizes. For now we'll use it mostly for a bike rack but we are also planning for a small ultralight tear trailer in a year or so. What is the best hitch for the bike rack now and the trailer later? What else do we need for safe towing? Give us the whole deal, please!
asked by: Jeanine
Expert Reply:
A 2-inch Class III hitch is the better option for your 2018 Honda CR-V both for using you hitch bike rack and for towing. Class III hitches like Draw-Tite # 76128 typically have higher weight capacities than the smaller Class II hitches like # 36597 and this makes them the better choice both for accessories like bike racks and for towing trailers too. Draw-Tite model # 76128 offers a combination of high capacity and easy installation, which makes it the one I recommend. You can see the installation process in the video I linked for you and the photo shows the clean appearance.
If your bike rack happens to be one that is made for the smaller 1-1/4-inch hitch size, such as the Kuat Sherpa # SH12G, you can still use it in the 2-inch hitch without having to modify or replace it simply by adding a hitch reducer sleeve # HT02. If you happen to also have a 1-1/4-inch cargo carrier like Reese # 63155 then the reducer sleeve will allow use of this item too. If you ever find yourself looking for a new bike rack in the future I recommend selecting a 2-inch type that will directly fit into the hitch. Many hitch racks are designed to fit in both hitch sizes, such as Thule's awesome EasyFold folding e-Bike platform rack # TH903202. If e-bikes or even just heavy standard bikes are in your future then this rack is an excellent choice.
To complete a towing set up you will also need a basic wiring harness for trailer lights, part # 118741, along with a ball mount, hitch ball, hitch lock and towing mirrors. Trailers that have on-board batteries and/or electric brakes will also require a wiring upgrade to a 7-way, using kit # ETBC7, and a trailer brake controller such as the super-reliable Prodigy P3 # 90195. This 7-way kit and controller complete your towing electrical set-up.
I recommend Ball Mount Kit # EBMK4 since it includes two sizes of hitch ball along with a ball mount. For a set of towing mirrors go with the K-Source dual-lens mirror set # KS3990.
Most ultralight tear trailers will be well within the CR-V's rated 1500-lb towing capacity but if you choose a trailer made with modern composite materials you may be able have a nice big safety margin too. I suggest you check your manual to confirm your CR-V towing capacity in case it differs from the online information I reviewed.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"
- Trailer Hitch
- For Towing
- Class II
- 350 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
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