Recommended Flat Towing Components For A 2008 Honda CR-V EX  

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The cost of setting up a 2008 Honda CR-V to flat tow is going to vary quite a bit depending on what you use and how much of the installation process for each item you do yourself versus paying someone to complete. Flat towing is a very expensive hobby to start but as long as you purchase quality items you should be good for the foreseeable future and not need to keep purchasing new items down the road. I have the following recommendations that will provide you with quality without breaking the bank:

Baseplate: etrailer Invisible Base Plate Kit # e98956. This base plate has removable arms that you can remove when not in use and store to prevent any rust of corrosion build up. Covers are included to help keep dirt and debris out of the receivers as well.

Tow Bar: etrailer SD Non-Binding Tow Bar # e34ZR. This tow bar comes with safety cables bracketed to the arms so you don't have to purchase them separately or worry about them dragging on the ground. The head and shank are adjustable to help keep the tow bar level without having to purchase a separate high/low adapter. If you plan on leaving your tow bar on the motorhome then I recommend also getting a cover # DM9523042 to help protect it and keep it looking brand new.

Tow Bar Wiring Kit: If you want to cut costs you could use magnetic tow lights like part # TL21RK, but then you run the risk of the cables getting damaged or the magnets scraping the paint on the roof of your CR-V.

Personally, I would spend a bit more to get splice-in diodes like the Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit # RM-15267 so that the traffic signals from your motorhome display through the tail lights on your CR-V for better visibility and once less thing to setup up every time you tow. It can seem scary to cut into your factory wiring but if you follow along with the video I have attached below you can easily do this yourself and save a bit of money.

Braking System: I have two options depending on if you want it to be ready to go immediately or it you don't mind doing a bit of setup before each trip;

If you want a permanent system that's ready to go after the initial install then I recommend the Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System # RM-8700. This system ties into your factory wiring and vacuum line so it is quite labor intensive. The trade off is that once it's installed you won't have to do anything besides adjust the sensitivity to your liking.

If you don't mind doing a bit of setup each time then a portable system like the Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System # HM39524 is a great option. This system does require you to run a power wire to the battery and would come with a charge line to also install and tie into the 6-pole socket included in the # RM-15267 diode kit to charge your CR-V's battery while you tow. This system sits in front of your driver's seat and would require you to connect it to your brake pedal each time you tow.

You will have to remove the ACC RADIO 34 fuse in order to flat tow so I recommend also picking up the Roadmaster FuseMaster Fuse Bypass # RM76511. This will allow you to turn the fuse off/on with a switch instead of having to physically remove the fuse every time. Repeatedly removing and replacing fuses can wear out the internal contacts in the fuse block and end up costing you quite a bit more to replace the block.

If you have any other questions or were looking for something specifically then let me know and I can alter my recommendations to fit your needs.

expert reply by: Kevin C

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