Can You Flat Tow A Honda HR-V? (Read This First)
Flat towing your vehicle is usually a splendid choice since it is energy efficient. Likewise, it is perfect when you need to carry your car along for one reason or another.
For example, you could easily attach and detach the tow bar if you are on a long ride. But some vehicles are incapable of flat towing.
So before considering pulling your Honda HRV, let’s find out if your vehicle is compatible with flat towing.
You cannot flat tow a Honda HRV unless it has a manual transmission. Honda HRV models with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) cannot be flat towed. If your HRV model has a manual transmission, you can flat-tow your car. You might damage your Honda HRV transmission if it’s a CVT transmission model.
Can the Honda HR-V Be Flat Towed?
A Honda HRV cannot be flat towed unless it is a manual transmission model. The best way to haul a Honda HR-V is with a flatbed tow truck or a car dolly truck.
With this method, the vehicle wheels will not turn when pulled. If you tow the car with all its wheels on the road, it will damage it.
Cars with the continuously variable transmission, also known as automatic transmission, are only lubricated when the engine is on.
This is because the engine emits hydraulic pressure, which pumps fluid into the transmission.
So, if the engine is off and the driveshaft forcefully turns when the wheels turn, the transmission may become damaged.
How to Tow a Honda Hrv With Automatic Transmission?
Since flat towing is not possible for Honda HRV, you could tow your automatic transmission vehicle by:
#1. Shifting Into Neutral
Since the continuously variable transmission does not allow wheel movement, shifting the car to neutral before towing should do the trick.
#2. Using a Car Dolly
To keep your car wheels from turning, use a tow dolly to tow your vehicle. It will protect your car from spinning when pulling it.
But if your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, do not use a car dolly.
Instead, connect the tow bar to the car dolly to use a car dolly. It will fasten to the ball and safety chains.
#3. Using a Tow Bar and Hitch
This is for rear-wheel-drive cars. To use the tow bar and the hitch, remove the vehicle’s universal joint, lower the driveshaft to the ground and tighten the bolts.
Regularly ensure the hooks are in good condition while on the move. Check the hitch every two kilometers to ensure the safety chains are secure while towing.
Can You Flat Tow a Honda HRV All Wheel Drive?
You can flat tow a Honda HRV all-wheel drive on a manual transmission. Do not surpass 65 mph (104.61 km/h) during towing.
This is to prevent severe damage to the transmission. Ensure the four wheels are on the ground to avoid causing a malfunction of the four-wheel-drive system (4WD).
Make sure you confirm the quality of the tow-bar when purchasing.
Can You Tow a Honda HRV Behind a Motorhome?
A motorhome can flat tow a Honda HRV if it is a manual transmission.
You cannot tow the automatic transmission model behind a motorhome because it could damage the transmission.
There are different ways you could attach your vehicle to the motorhome.
#1. Using a Tow-bar
The tow bar is the most common method of towing cars. It connects the vehicle behind to the motor home.
Safety chains secure the vehicle to the motorhome.
The tow-bar is cost-effective and easy to carry around. Here’s how to attach your tow bar to your motorhome:
- Ensure your motorhome and the car are on a flat, level surface. Leave enough space at the back of the motorhome to park your vehicle.
- Park your Honda HRV behind the motorhome. Ensure it is in a straight line right behind the motorhome.
Keep a suitable distance between them to allow you comfortably attach the vehicle to the motorhome. - Attach the tow arms to the connection points on the plate in front of your vehicle’s toad. Ensure to attach the arms to their correct connection on both sides.
Securely connect the pin from the inside out so that it won’t fall off when the car is moving. - Attach the safety wires from the motorhome to the vehicle toad’s plate connection. Ensure the cables are not touching the ground. Attach the breakaway cables.
The brakes can activate if the car breaks away from the motorhome. - Attach the electrical cords that transfer signals for synchronizing the brake and turn signal lights for each vehicle.
- Start the motorhome and slowly drive forward to ensure both tow-bars locks with the car.
- Also, ensure the vehicle’s steering is on lock. You can also put the transmission in neutral.
#2. Using an A-Frame
The A-frame also connects your vehicle to the motorhome. It is a horizontal aluminum bar that attaches to the front of the toad base plate and has a safety cord connecting the car to the motorhome.
Reversing the motorhome with the vehicle can be difficult. With the car’s four wheels on the ground, controlling the car will be difficult since there is no pivot point.
You might need to separate the motorhome from the vehicle and reverse it individually. It can take some time, depending on how you connect the A-frame.
#3. Using a Tow Dolly
The tow dolly connects the motorhome to the vehicle. It lifts the front wheels of the towed car.
The car dolly takes less space, and it’s more stable than the A-frame.
However, if your vehicle is a rear-wheel drive, you might need to disconnect the shaft before towing to avoid damaging the car’s transmission.
What Honda Vehicles Can Be Flat Towed?
Other Honda models have flat towing features. These vehicles use a manual transmission.
#1. Honda Fit
You can flat tow a Honda Fit with a manual transmission if you use the required tools.
Some pieces of equipment you need to flat tow the Honda Fit are the tow bar, safety cables, braking system, plate kit, and lighting solution.
If you have these tools, you can flat tow a Honda Fit.
#2. Honda CR-V
Like the Honda Fit, you can flat tow a Honda CRV if you have the correct tools. You should also know how to use them.
You should transport your Honda CR-V with a tow bar due to its weight.
Honda approved the CR-V model for flat towing. However, not all cars can be flat towed, so it is vital to know about your vehicle.
The engine of the Honda CR-V is self-lubricating even when the engine is not running. This is a determining factor for flat towable cars.
Flat towing will dry up the engine if the vehicle is an automatic transmission model. It usually happens when the vehicle wheels spin.
When the engine does not lubricate, it causes severe damage to the transmission, which will be expensive to replace.
The Honda CR-V engine is self-lubricating, and therefore it can be flat towed.
Are There Any Automatic Cars That Can Be Flat Towed?
The Chevrolet Malibu amazon is an automatic transmission model with features that allow it to be flat towed without damaging the transmission.
Conclusion
It is essential to know if your car can be flat towed before getting the necessary equipment to tow it. Not all vehicles are capable of the flat tow feature.
For example, your Honda HRV can be flat towed if the manual transmission model is used.
If it is automatic, flat towing, can damage the transmission, and you may not be able to use the car for a while.
You can use the car dolly or the tow bar to connect your vehicle to your motorhome. Ensure to use the appropriate tools to couple your vehicle.
