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Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you carefully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
Load Limits
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Break-In Period
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
before starting to drive.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s first 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page 294 ).
Be sure to read the Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines section on page
336 if you plan to tow off paved
surfaces.
Total Trailer Weight: The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously affect your vehicle’s
handling and performance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
CONTINUED
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Towing a Trailer
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60% of the load
toward the front of the trailer and
40% toward the rear, then re-adjust
the load as needed.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) － The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 4,560 lbs
(2,070 kg).
Checking Loads
The best way to confirm that all
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
If you cannot get to a public scale,
you can estimate the total trailer
weight by adding the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the
manufacturer) with everything in or
on the trailer.
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR) － The maximum
Tongue Load: The weight that the
tongue of a fully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight. Too
much tongue load reduces front-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load must not exceed
If you normally pull the same load
2,310 lbs (1,050 kg) on the front axle, each time you tow a trailer, you can
and 2,290 lbs (1,040 kg) on the rear
axle.
use a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge to check the
tongue load the first time you set up
a towing combination (a fully loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) － The maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle and trailer is 6,060 lbs (2,750
kg)
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Towing a Trailer
Towing Equipment and
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
Trailer Lights
Accessories
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with federal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Check trailer light requirements for
the areas where you plan to tow, and
use only equipment designed for
your vehicle.
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and follow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets federal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Trailer Brakes
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common for boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successful it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicles hydraulic system
will lower braking effectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
Hitches
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Safety Chains
Always use safety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
See your trailer dealer or rental
agency for more information on
installing electric brakes.
CONTINUED
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
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Towing a Trailer
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and affect your vehicle
warranty.
Pre-Tow Checklist
TAILLIGHT
(RED)
LEFT TURN GROUND
When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:
SIGNAL
(BLACK)
(ORANGE)
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
TRAILER BRAKE HAZARD RIGHT
(WHITE) LIGHT (PINK)
(LIGHT
TURN
SIGNAL
(BROWN)
Additional Towing Equipment
Many states and Canadian
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
GREEN)
provinces/territories require special
outside mirrors when towing a trailer.
Even if they don’t, you should install
special mirrors if you cannot clearly
see behind you, or if the trailer
creates a blind spot.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located behind the left
side panel in the cargo area. Refer to
the drawing above for the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.
If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle from your dealer.
Ask your trailer sales or rental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
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Towing a Trailer
Towing Speeds and Gears
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
conditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and use the D3 position.
Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
down and stop when towing a trailer.
3
trailer on level roads. D is the
proper shift lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
Driving on Hills
(See ‘‘
’’ in the
following column for additional gear
Driving Safely With a Trailer
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle’s handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
information.)
Making Turns and Braking
Make turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance for braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.
Handling Crosswinds and Buffeting
Crosswinds and air turbulence
For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
in this section.
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
Driving on Hills
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
CONTINUED
corrections.
333
2024 Honda CR-V Owner's Manual
2023 Honda CR-V Owner's Manual
2021 Honda CR-V Owner's Manual
2018 Honda CR-V Owner's Manual
2015 Honda CR-V Owner's Manual
