Can a 2012 Honda CR-V with Automatic Transmission be Flat-Towed Behind a Motor Home  

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Expert Reply:

Both the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the 2012 Honda CR-V with automatic transmission can be flat-towed behind a motor home.

Honda cautions that before flat towing your CR-V transmission fluid level and condition be checked. If you will flat tow often or for long periods (8 hours or more at a time), then it is suggested to change your transmission fluid at shorter intervals than specified in the manual. It is also necessary to follow a pre-drive conditioning process after hitching your CR-V to the motor home. This consists of moving the automatic transmission through several timed steps with the engine running to prepare it for flat-towing. Your owners manual will spell this out in detail.

I suggest you refer to the linked article which covers the essentials of flat-towing and details the components required. These items include tow bar, base plates, safety cables, lighting/wiring and a supplemental braking system.

The 2012 CR-V can use Roadmaster base plates # 521567-4 and their Falcon 2 Tow Bar, part # RM-520. This tow bar fits the hitch receiver on your motor home. Please refer to the linked video.
For safety cables you can use Roadmaster # RM-646.

The simplest form of lighting kit is the magnetic type that installs on your towed vehicle without need to cut into its wiring. Custer offers their lighting kit # RM-2120 which uses a magnetic base to hold it in place on your CR-V while you are under way. It includes a 4-pole flat connector for hookup to your motor home.

Last, for a supplemental braking system you can use a item such as the Roadmaster Even Brake Portable Proportional Braking System # RM-9400. This portable unit mounts in the towed vehicle and depresses the brake pedal whenever the motor home brakes are applied. I have linked for your reference an article on such braking systems.

expert reply by: Adam R

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