Honda CRV Towing (Ultimate Guide)

The Honda CR-V is one of the most popular family SUVs due to its large and comfortable cabin, its strong engine, and its smooth ride quality. 

If you have a boat, caravan, or trailer,  you probably have a few questions about the CRVs towing capabilities.

In this article, we answer some of the most common Honda CRV towing questions, including how much it can do, and what kind of equipment it can actually tow. 

Are Honda CR-Vs Good for Towing?

The Honda CR-V is an SUV crossover. It is considered a good car for towing, but it is not the best in its class.

Most CR-V trims can tow 1,500 lbs, but the payload capacity varies depending on the year. While the CR-V is considered reasonably stable, the car is best for good drivers because it is hard to switch lanes while pulling a caravan or similar weight. 

While its towing capacities are considered moderate, the CR-V is a great family car because there is a lot of room in its cabin. Therefore, people using the Honda CR-V for camping trips can tow a small trailer and store some of their stuff inside the car. 

How Much Weight Can a Honda CR-V Tow?

Most standard CR-Vs can tow 1,500 lbs, and there are add-on packages that can facilitate towing. 

Currently, there are four CR-V trims available. At the lower end of the spectrum, there are the LX and the EX, and at the higher end, there are the EX-L and the Touring. In 2022, there is also a Special Edition. The EX-L and the Touring are generally best for towing. 

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How Much Can a 2020 CR-V Tow?

As you can see from the table, the basic towing capacity is the same for every 2020 CR-V. To make towing easier, you can upgrade your car’s towing package by buying a draw bar, hitch harness, trailer hitch ball, and a clip. Because the top two trims have a power liftgate, they are more convenient for towing than the lower trims. 

LXEXEX-LTouring 
Towing Capacity (lbs)1,5001,5001,5001,500

How Much Can a 2019 CR-V Tow?

A standard 2019 Honda CR-V can tow 1,500 lbs, no matter the trim. Some Hondas on the market might have different towing capacity depending on the towing package that was added to them during configuration. 

LXEXEX-LTouring 
Towing Capacity (lbs)1,5001,5001,5001,500

How Much Can a 2018 CR-V Tow?

All the 2018 Honda CR-Vs can tow 1,500 lbs. The EX-L and the Touring are the most suitable trims for towing because they have additional features such as a power liftgate. 

LXEXEX-LTouring 
Towing Capacity (lbs)1,5001,5001,5001,500

How Much Can a 2017 CR-V Tow?

The 2017 Honda CR-V can tow 1,500 lbs. As you’ll see in the table below, this is true for all the trims.

LXEXEX-LTouring 
Towing Capacity (lbs)1,5001,5001,5001,500

How Much Can a 2016 CR-V Tow?

No matter what trim you buy, a standard 2016 Honda CR-V comes with a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. This allows you to tow small boats, jet skis, A-frame campers, and single-axle trailers. 

LXEXEX-LTouring 
Towing Capacity (lbs)1,5001,5001,5001,500

How Much Can a 2015 CR-V Tow?

The 2015 Honda CR-V has a towing capacity of 1,500. This is true for all its trims, from the lower-end LX to the higher-end Touring. 

LXEXEX-LTouring 
Towing Capacity (lbs)1,5001,5001,5001,500

How Much Can a 2014 CR-V Tow?

In 2014, there were only three Honda CR-V models: the LX, the EX, and the EX-L. All of them have a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. 

LXEXEX-L
Towing Capacity (lbs)1,5001,5001,500

How Much Can a 2013 CR-V Tow?

The three 2013 Honda CR-V trims all come with a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. This is not the best in the class, but it is also not the worst. Since newer CR-Vs have the same towing capacity, you won’t be at a disadvantage if you buy a used 2013 model. 

LXEXEX-L
Towing Capacity (lbs)1,5001,5001,500

What Can a Honda CR-V Tow?

With a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs, the standard Honda CR-V can tow much less than a truck. But that doesn’t mean this car isn’t functional. In fact, you can tow quite a lot with this capacity, including some types of boats, some types of campers, and small trailers. 

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Can a Honda CR-V Tow a Pop-Up Camper?

The average weight of a pop-up camper is 2,000 lbs, so the Honda CR-V won’t be able to tow it. However, there might be smaller campers available. Generally, you should aim to stay within 80% of your car’s towing capacity, so you’ll need a camper that weighs 1,200-1,300 lbs. This might be hard to find. 

Can a Honda CR-V Tow a Caravan?

The average caravan weighs over 5,000 lbs when it’s empty, so it’s unlikely that you’ll find one that can be towed by a Honda CR-V. To tow a caravan, you should buy a truck that has a towing capacity of 7,000 lbs or more. 

Can a Honda CR-V Tow a U-Haul Trailer?

The Honda CR-V will be able to tow most U-Haul trailers. The smallest ones only weigh 600 lbs, so they are well within the CR-V’s towing capacity. However, you should check your trailer’s weight because the largest ones are approximately 2,300 lbs, so they are too heavy for a CR-V. 

 Can a Honda CR-V Tow a Boat?

While large boats can’t be towed by a Honda CR-V, many smaller ones can. Some of the boats that can be towed with a CR-V include canoes, small aluminum boats, and rowboats. 

Can a Honda CR-V Tow a Horse Trailer?

The Honda CR-V is not a suitable car for towing horse trailers because they often weigh more than 1,500 lbs. You should also consider that a horse can weigh up to 2,000 lbs, which is more than the Honda CR-V’s towing capacity. 

Can a Honda CR-V Tow a Car?

The average car weighs over 4,000 lbs, so it’s unlikely that a Honda CR-V can tow a car. The only car which is within the CR-V’s towing capacity is the smart car, which weighs 1,500 lbs when empty. If you’re looking for a truck that can tow cars, you should choose one with a higher towing capacity. 

Can a Honda CRV Tow a Jet Ski?

The average jet ski weighs between 300 and 950 pounds, so you should be able to tow it with a Honda CR-V. But keep in mind that the trailer also weighs several hundreds of pounds, so you might need a bigger car for a very large jet ski. 

What Size Caravan Can a Honda CRV Tow? 

Unfortunately, a Honda CR-V can’t tow most kinds of caravan because they weigh 3,000 lbs or more. Some types of campers or teardrop campers might be small enough for the CR-V. However, you should consider getting a stronger truck if you want to tow a caravan. 

Can You Put a Tow Package on a Honda CR-V?

There is no specific tow package for the Honda CR-V, but you can get add-on features that make towing easier. The most common one is the CR-V tow hitch, but you can also get a clip, drawbar, retaining pin, and trailer hitch balls for your car. If you’re planning on towing a lot of large items, it makes sense to get all of these additional components for your Honda. 

What Size Trailer Can a Honda CR-V Tow?

A Honda CR-V can tow various kinds of small trailers. Some of the ones it can tow empty include: 

  • A motorcycle trailer
  • A jet ski trailer
  • A small boat trailer 
  • A tow dolly
  • A small open or enclosed utility trailer
  • Some types of teardrop trailers 
  • Some types of A-frame campers 

Because the size and weight of trailers varies, you should always double check with the manufacturer before you tow a trailer with your CR-V. You’ll also have to consider the weight of your trailer’s load. 

Can a Honda CR-V Be Towed Behind an RV?

You can legally tow your Honda CR-V behind an RV at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. Because your transmission could get damaged if you don’t properly prepare for towing, you should always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines

Is the Honda CR-V Flat Towable?

The Honda CR-V is flat towable, which means that it can be towed with all four wheels on the ground. To prepare your car to be towed flat, you need to fill the transmission to the correct level, release your parking brake, put the transmission in neutral, and leave your ignition switch in ACCESSORY to prevent your steering wheel from locking. 

Is Honda CR-V’s Tow Package Worth It?

While there is no specific tow package for the CR-V, you can get certain components that facilitate towing. They include a draw bar, hitch harness, trailer hitch ball, and a clip. If you will be towing large items frequently, getting these components is worth it.

Source:

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