I'd like to use a fit as a to tow behind my RV. Any idea where I might find out if it is ok. The salesmen at the dealers are clueless.

 

The manual in the car has towing info or maybe just call Honda Canada though if they are labotomised as Honda Australia I'd be looking at the manual.

 

Stick it in neutral...can't see why not?

 

The biggest (in my opinion) challenge that you are going to have is coming up with a base kit to hook a tow bar to.

I'm not aware of anyone who makes one yet.

 

Cool, my King Quad would look as big as my car. Nice job. With a supercharger it would pull it even better.

You might want to install a transsmission cooler though with that auto transmission.

 

danggggggggggggggggggggg wow

 

Mine might be close. The King Quad 700 with all its armor and stuff would be about 670lbs + trailer and still keep it under 992lbs and still keep the tounge weight under 154lbs makes a pretty tight balance.

Single axle & no trailer brakes. I'll have to pass on that going up and down the mountains around here. Don't like the idea of being pushed down hills with a trailer I can barely stop.

Not that I want to do it but it's nice to know it could. That would look

Nice job showed it could be done.

 

how does it feel to be the first one to tow something in the FIT?

 

You're not the first to ask the question. So here's some anwers.

First is a list of existing threads scattered thru the forum so you can find what you're looking for.

Traler Hitches for bikes here. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...ghlight=towing
This is a nice bike setup hitch here. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...3&postcount=46
Another Bicycle Rack Thread here. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...ghlight=towing
Rear door bike carrier (actually talks more about roof racks) here. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/general-fit-talk/2819-rear-door-bike-carrier.html

I think the Fit towing should start here in this thread. Can the Fit pull a trailer here. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...ghlight=towing
Especially this post (Great Find "Honda Jazz Tow Hitch"). https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/report.php?p=27553

Best Post on how much it can tow here.
I would suggest a transmission cooler for the AT.

So basically it can tow up to 2200lbs BUT! Can't stop it without help (trailer brakes) and the tounge weight is 154lbs.
and here. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/report.php?p=27580

towing with U.S. Fit (Answered Above) https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...ghlight=towing
it's Tow Capability here. (Answered above) https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...ghlight=towing

Towing a flat trailer w/ATV with a Fit here. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...ghlight=towing

Towing a Honda thread that went a little off by using AWD info from the Element as a how to but agree that a dolly for an auto, or a Manual Trans. are better for "Flat Towing". https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...ghlight=towing

The Gas Thread has information about hypermiling with an auto and manuals which is actually like (Flat Towing) for short periods. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...ht=hypermiling

Now for Towing the Fit behind another vehicle such as an RV there's this thread. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...ghlight=towing

And here is my response in that thread on the subject.

What you want to ask the service department is "can it be flat towed?". I don't know it it can or not without being damaged.

I use to deliver motorhomes from the manufacturers to the dealerships and the only car I knew could be was was the Escort according to a Ford Dealership.

As far as I know the MT could but honda hasn't said wether or not either transmission can as far as I know. I wouldn't chance it with an AT myself.

Here is the real problem for what you're planning. The overhang of the RV (the distance from the rear wheels to the hitch). When you make a turn this will swing hard from one side to the other (or center to side) abrubtly.

On any car this has a tendency to cause the wheels to turn the wrong way. This happens more drastically on smaller cars because they have a sharper turning radius, it will tend to lock the steering up at full turn usually the opposite of the way you want them to go. You will have to catch it when it happens, get out, go back and straighten the steering wheel of the car. Otherwise it will drag your tires sideways and rip them off the rims.

It will also do it when you pull into a service staition drive way. You CAN'T just lock the steering wheel pointed straight ahead because it will drag your front tires sideways when you turn. ANY turn there's alot of swing because of the distance between the RV's rear wheel and the hitch.

Even some large rear wheel drive cars will do it. But not as often because in part due to the fact that they don't turn as sharp so they don't reach the point where the lock up as easily.

You have to start into a turn slowly and pay close attention to any change to road conditions i.e. driveways and such as this can cause the wheels of the towed vehicle to turn out of a turn when you need them to follow you.

You have to actually get a feel as to how to get the towed vehicle to follow properly. Trust me I did it for a living for 4 years. If you want to just pull it around withouth having to watch it that close. Just get in and drive. Read on.

Using a car dolly will work and it's light enough that you could put a small hitch on the Fit as described in another thread in the lists above. If you plan on leaving the RV and driving back as I did.

I would drive the motorhome pulling my car, deliver the motorhome, get in my car and drive to the next motorhome that needed to be transported hook up to it and take off to do it all again.

But this too requires some skill since the wheels on the dolly only turn so much yet the cars front wheels are locked straight ahead, and backing up requires some special considerations for the same reason. You also better have it secured good. Check the straps withing 10 miles and fairly often.

However if this is your personal RV and you want the best solution then this is it.

A small tilt deck trailer (make sure you can get in and out of the car when it's on the traler) with dual axles (trails better than a single axle) with trailer brakes (they're worth having).

You leave the trailer hooked to the RV and roll the car on and off of when you want to use it. That would work good and would be around $3000. It's a good idea to place a board (deflector) on the front to keep rocks from being thrown onto your car. Trust me it can do some damage. That would also hold true if flat towing. Plus the trailer could be used for other things if needed.

The other option would ba a small car trailer which would probably cost a little more but that is it's intended purpose. Still need a rock defector though.

Also, I had 2 Subaru's both FWD 5sp's which I towed ("Flat Towed") and the transaxles both had problems at around 125,000 miles. They both kept locking the steering up when you least want it to, backing up even the smallest amount would do it. Bet the Fit would too.

So there are your options. Personally I would go with the tilt trailer because it can be used for other things too and the car should be easy to secure and unsecure to it with a little planning (mount a few lockdowns). And the defector should be easy to come up with. Plus the trailer is easier to control when backing up.


Mod Might want to Sticky this one.

 

First I put together a collection of the towing topic for the Fit here for any other towing questions here. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/show...290#post102290

Here's my I answer to your question.

What you want to ask the service department is "can it be flat towed?". I don't know it it can or not without being damaged.

I use to deliver motorhomes from the manufacturers to the dealerships and the only car I knew could be was was the Escort according to a Ford Dealership.

As far as I know the MT could but honda hasn't said wether or not either transmission can as far as I know. I wouldn't chance it with an AT myself.

Here is the real problem for what you're planning. The overhang of the RV (the distance from the rear wheels to the hitch). When you make a turn this will swing hard from one side to the other (or center to side) abrubtly.

On any car this has a tendency to cause the wheels to turn the wrong way. This happens more drastically on smaller cars because they have a sharper turning radius, it will tend to lock the steering up at full turn usually the opposite of the way you want them to go. You will have to catch it when it happens, get out, go back and straighten the steering wheel of the car. Otherwise it will drag your tires sideways and rip them off the rims.

It will also do it when you pull into a service staition drive way. You CAN'T just lock the steering wheel pointed straight ahead because it will drag your front tires sideways when you turn. ANY turn there's alot of swing because of the distance between the RV's rear wheel and the hitch.

Even some large rear wheel drive cars will do it. But not as often because in part due to the fact that they don't turn as sharp so they don't reach the point where the lock up as easily.

You have to start into a turn slowly and pay close attention to any change to road conditions i.e. driveways and such as this can cause the wheels of the towed vehicle to turn out of a turn when you need them to follow you.

You have to actually get a feel as to how to get the towed vehicle to follow properly. Trust me I did it for a living for 4 years. If you want to just pull it around withouth having to watch it that close. Just get in and drive. Read on.

Using a car dolly will work and it's light enough that you could put a small hitch on the Fit as described in another thread in the lists above. If you plan on leaving the RV and driving back as I did.

I would drive the motorhome pulling my car, deliver the motorhome, get in my car and drive to the next motorhome that needed to be transported hook up to it and take off to do it all again.

But this too requires some skill since the wheels on the dolly only turn so much yet the cars front wheels are locked straight ahead, and backing up requires some special considerations for the same reason. You also better have it secured good. Check the straps withing 10 miles and fairly often.

However if this is your personal RV and you want the best solution then this is it.

A small tilt deck trailer (make sure you can get in and out of the car when it's on the traler) with dual axles (trails better than a single axle) with trailer brakes (they're worth having).

You leave the trailer hooked to the RV and roll the car on and off of when you want to use it. That would work good and would be around $3000. It's a good idea to place a board (deflector) on the front to keep rocks from being thrown onto your car. Trust me it can do some damage. That would also hold true if flat towing. Plus the trailer could be used for other things if needed.

The other option would ba a small car trailer which would probably cost a little more but that is it's intended purpose. Still need a rock defector though.

Also, I had 2 Subaru's both FWD 5sp's which I towed ("Flat Towed") and the transaxles both had problems at around 125,000 miles. They both kept locking the steering up when you least want it to, backing up even the smallest amount would do it. Bet the Fit would too.

So there are your options. Personally I would go with the tilt trailer because it can be used for other things too and the car should be easy to secure and unsecure to it with a little planning (mount a few lockdowns). And the defector should be easy to come up with. Plus the trailer is easier to control when backing up.

 

DISCLAIMER - IN NO WAY DO I CONDONE DOING THE FOLLOWING!!!

I have a Curt hitch on my Fit.

I have a daughter that I gave my '89 CRX to about 1.5 years ago. It broke a timing belt.

Now she has to have transportation and she said that she would pay for an engine to be put in the CRX. I have some connections, and I found a place that would put an engine from a '97 Civic in for just over $1000 and warranty it for 12 mo./12,000 miles.

Problem - the place is 300 miles away from me!!

I had a Dakota, which I sold a few months ago, so the only thing that I have with a hitch on it is my Fit. I have a tow-bar setup for the CRX.

So, I'm looking at the weather, 40-50 degrees (F), calm winds, and no rain.

What the heck!!!

I hook up the CRX on the back (I've previously pulled it about 15 miles, for, um - practice?) of the Fit, and we head down the interstate.

I set the cruise on 60 MPH, in S-mode. Simple, I think, when it drops to 55 mph, I'll drop down into 4th. If it drops to 50, I'll go to 3rd. Never had to do 3rd.

Bear in mind, I'm pulling this from near Nashville to the corner of KY, OH, and WV which means that I've got some sizeable hills to deal with.

I went interstate as much as possible. The total trip was 280 miles. About 260 of those miles were interstate, with the remainder straight, smooth 2-lane with no traffic lights or stops.

The Fit pulled it with no problems.

I only had one "issue" the entire trip, and that was when I attempted to brake when going through a 90-degree turn. The CRX tried to push the back end of the Fit some. The remainder of the trip was uneventful.

ScanGauge II data:
Temperature 171 - 181 degrees, with 177 most of the time. This is about 2 degrees higher than "normal".
Gas Mileage - 27.2 mpg. This, I find, simply amazing! For reference, on my return trip at 75 mph, I averaged 32.6 mpg.

Conclusions:
- If I had it to do over again, I probably would. However, I could NEVER advise anyone else to do the same.
- The Fit is awesome! The power was smooth and was never an issue.
- The Curt hitch perfromed without any problems.

I realize that I'll probably get "flamed" over this by some folks. However, when you have to do what you have to do.... you do!

 

WOW that little sucker pulled ur CRX!!! Awesome!

 

Wow ... and the Curt hitch is the one with the lower-rated towing capacity! What's the weight of the CRX?

 

2000 lbs. give or take.

 

Oh man, we need pics for laughs and giggles.
Seriously, I think that would have been quite the sight

 

Unfortunately, the trip began after dark (don't you just love this time of year??) and was dark for the entire trip. I pondered taking a pic at a rest area, and didn't for whatever reason... Sorry.

 

David:

That is great, and dis-spells a common myth:

People think they need some large truck to tow something, especially boats. There are people in my office that sold a nice car and bought some huge truck or SUV becuase the got a boat, which they use maybe 3-10 times a year. Also, many think they need to drive @ the speed limit or above when towing....forgetting the added weight and different geometry.

I have friends that have towed stuff with light cars both here and in Europe without problems. Heck, I had one friend with a Citroen Ami (2CV based car) that had a hitch. I know a lot of people that launch boats with FWD cars and I even launched a good sized boat with a Mitsubishi 2.0l pickup with an automatic.

The only "negative" I can think of David is "supposedly" Honda does not want the car used for towing and any warranty claims on the drivetrain might be an issue?

 

An interesting side notes on this.

The CRX that I was towing - I have a hitch on it!!

Back about 10 years ago, it was my only vehicle. When I moved 200 miles away, I did it with my CRX and a 4'x8' U-Haul trailer. It took me 4 round trips (if I remember correctly,) and got about 32 mpg pulling the U-Haul.

I originally put the hitch on my CRX to tow a small aluminum bass boat - to a local lake - to study! I'd go out on the boat, find a quiet place to tie up and sit in the captain chair with no interuptions for hours.

Back when I had my '99 CR-V, I towed it my CRX to Summit Point Raceway (east of D.C.) and back without any issues. This was approximately 700 miles each way. There was a group of CRX folks who met there for a Friday At The Track (FATT). This was our third time of doing so. A LOT of fun!!!

Here's a pic that I took on the return trip at a rest area:

 

Pulling the FourTrax was easy. Pulling my CRX was a little more un-nerving!!

 

So I know that the Fit is the LAST car one would ever get with the intention to tow something, but I'm wondering if it can be done. I'm trying to decide between keeping my 05 civic sedan, getting a 06 Si sedan, or a fit.

So does anyone tow jet ski's behind their Fit. I would be towing it about an hour away maybe 3 times a year, and otherwise towing it about 100 yards from my dads house to the dock. Just curious if anyone else tows.