Will Adding Trailer Hitch Negatively Affect Steering, Braking, or Gas Mileage of 2014 Honda CR-V

Updated 08/12/2014 | Published 08/11/2014

Question:

Greetings, Im having a C13119 Hitch installed on my recently-purchased 2014 Honda CR-V and was wondering how it might affect overall gas mileage and handling, if at all. The hitch weighs about 35 lbs and though its securely attached to the bottom, I was wondering if that affects the overall balance and if its noticeable at all when driving without anything connected to it. Im probably over-thinking this as the benefit of having the hitch to attached a 2inch Thule bike rack I used on my previous car is worth any negative affects on driveability.

asked by: Glenn

Expert Reply:

The Curt trailer hitch # C13119 weighs about 30 pounds or so. Its affect on gas mileage would basically be non-existent. You would never notice a change. The way a person drives would have more of an effect than adding a little weight to the vehicle so no worries there.

Also, given that the hitch is relatively light it isn't going to affect the handling of the vehicle at all. The weight of the hitch is not going to compress the rear suspension so the handling, braking, steering, everything, will all be the same.

If you had 30, 40 pounds in the cargo area of your CR-V (behind the rear axle) you wouldn't notice. The hitch is no different in that respect.

expert reply by: Michael H