Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2008 Honda Fit Behind a Motor Home

Updated 02/01/2014 | Published 01/31/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(477)

$575.00

Roadmaster 6-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles with Separate Lighting

(61)

$193.68

Roadmaster 64" Single Hook, Straight Safety Cables - 8,000 lbs

(350)

$63.82

Roadmaster InvisiBrake Flat Tow Brake System - Preset

(284)

$1380.00

Question:

I have a 2008 Honda Fit, Im now retire and wish to flat tow the rig behind our new motor home as we travel around the country. When I bought this rig new I ask if one day it could be pulled behind a motor home, of course the salesmen said it could be. After looking in the owners manual I see only that it talks about emergency towing conditions and how to achieve this. Would I be safe to tow this car flat on ground behind our motor home? If so what procedure would you recommend?

asked by: HENRY

Expert Reply:

I found an online copy of the 2008 Honda Fit owners manual and on page 173 it states that the vehicle can be towed behind a motor home up to 65 miles per hour. It then lists the procedures for automatic and manual transmissions in the pages after that. Confirm this with your owners manual.

There are at least 5 items you will need to flat tow your Fit: base plates, tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking. The base plates provide a proper and safe attachment point on the vehicle for the tow bar. You can use the Roadmaster base plates, # 521558-1, that you referenced.

Next you will need a tow bar. Since you mentioned wanting to tow the vehicle all around the country I recommend an all terrain tow bar such as the Falcon, # RM-522. All terrain tow bars make hooking up to the vehicle easier on uneven terrain, a feature that will be very useful in your travels.

Next you will need safety cables. These are used as a fail safe; just in case something happens to cause the tow bar to separate from the vehicle or motor home. You can use cables # RM-645, rated for 8,000 pounds.

Lighting is the next item you will need. Since you will be towing the vehicle often I recommend a more permanent installation so that once installed you will not have to do any further set up when you are ready to tow. The 6-diode kit, # 154-792-118158, is the way to go. Diodes act like a gate keeper for signals going to the vehicle tail lights. When the motor home is connected, the diodes allow the signal from the RV to power the lights. When driving the Fit, it allows the vehicle wiring to power the lights.

And finally, most states require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. I recommend the InvsiBrake, # RM-8700, since you will be towing the Fit frequently. Once this system is installed you will not have to do any further set up to flat tow the vehicle unless you want to adjust the braking pressure.

I have included some links to videos, helpful articles, and instructions for you as well.