Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

[jmtowne1]

I currently own a 2003 Honda CR-V and have been towing a 17 ft. late 80's model Starcraft fishing boat. I have never seemed to have any trouble towing at all, although I am unsure of the exact towing weight. Now I want to buy a new boat and I am looking at the Nitro 640 LX small bass boat, however the total towing weight is 1800 lbs. and my towing capacity of the CR-V is supposed to be 1500 lbs. I need some advice on whether or not the extra 300 lbs will make a huge difference. If it helps my CR-V has a 160 HP 2.4 L I-vtec engine.

 

[JB]

Re: Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

Hi, Jason.<br /><br />Yes, it will make a big difference but you might not notice it much until your transmission croaks or you have and emergency stop and find the boat and truck ( ) jackknifed.<br /><br />A risk not worth taking, even if you put brakes on the trailer.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

The CRV is an excellent vehicle. It is up to the job with the engine and frame. Your weak spots are the brakes and the transmission.<br /><br />I am not sure if your tanny has an OEM cooler, or if an aftermarket is available. I think your type of use will determine the impact on the car.<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[Seaboo2]

Re: Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

"It is up to the job with the engine and frame. "<br /><br />Sorry but NO..... Plain and simple you would be going over what a team of EXPERTS have destined as safe for the vechicle.<br /><br /> Figure the 1800# is most likely a dry weight, when you add gas, cooler, gear, passasangers, extra junk you carry in the car, ect., ect. the weight REALLY jumps up more.<br /><br /> Take a look at the hitch as to how it is attached too On my sisters (a little earlier model) it was not attached to the frame (uni body) but just attachecd thru the trunk area (safe but made me nervous).

 

[roscoe]

Re: Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

I hope you are getting it with atleast the 75hp.<br />Its too heavy of a boat to be happy with a 50hp.<br />I see it is rated for 90hp, and they don't even offer a package with a 90. Go figure?<br /><br />Even 1500lbs is almost 50% of the vehicle weight.<br /><br />1800#, plus gear and fuel in the boat, plus gear and fuel in the cr-v, and now you have 3300lbs, towing a load/hauling aload of 2400+ lbs.<br /><br />Even if the cr-v was set up for it, it would be a dangerous situation.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

Be more concerned about stopping capability than pulling capacity. Pulling, and the associated stress on drive train is only an issue during acceleration and climbing. Vehicles have far more pulling and speed capacity than safe-distance or safe-control brake capacity. The acidents we've all seen pictures of, or heard about, didn't happen as a result of pulling, they were a result of stopping (or trying to).

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

Sorry but NO..... Plain and simple you would be going over what a team of EXPERTS have destined as safe for the vechicle.<br /><br />Kind of. The team of experts determined what it can comfortably tow to ensure it will clear warranty. At that point they downside everything to that standard. (Brakes, tranny cooler, suspension, etc.) As this is really a car, trailering was pretty much an afterthought. With that said and owning a 2003 myself,(waited six months for a 5 speed), this is a well designed and well built car. It is not a trailering machine, but short trips, light loads, low speeds, no worries. FYI I don't even have a trailer hitch on ours. <br /><br />If you are truely only 300lbs over you will have little problem.. All spec's of this nature have a built in service factor. The design is a uni-body but so are jeeps and I never heard of one torn in half by trailering...<br /><br />Saftey boils down to prior proper planning with a well balanced rig, and an experienced driver not necessarily that you are 300lbs, over rating..<br /><br />Throw all this out if you are greater than 5-600lbs +. It will do it but all above comments apply. Weak spots remain, Brakes (safety) and Transmission (longevity).<br /><br />My humble opinion only..

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

Last year when I had to get rid of my 4runner and Accord (both 5 speeds -- THR), I searched for a vehicle that was good on gas and could tow my boat.<br /><br />I settled for a 4 cyl Subaru outback (164 HP). I only ever tow to the dealer (5 miles if that) and use the car to put the boat in at the beginning and tow boat out at end. <br /><br />Boat is an '04 17' Cutter with an '03 merc 90. Trailer, boat, motor are 1900 lbs. Car tows no problem. Should have brakes though. I didn't bother as I don't tow it anywhere. Only plan to Marina for impellar every two years.<br /><br />Tx.<br /><br />Joe

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

I agree with Seaboo2, NO, NO, NO, Its all around too small of a vehicle! Stopping is definatly the issue! That boat will push you right into the vehicle in front of you if you have to stop quickly! But I figure you have your mind made up anyhow, and was hoping to get some support on what you were going to do anyway!

 

[jmtowne1]

Re: Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

Thanks for the advice, I am going with a lighter bass tracker that falls within my towing recommendations.<br /><br />Jason

 

[roscoe]

Re: Towing with a 2003 Honda CR-V

good idea, have fun with the new boat.