We tow a 07 Honda CRV. If we drive for an extended amount of time, 3-4 hours without stopping, the car battery often needs to be jump started. I had the battery checked, all is fine. I wonder what is draining the car battery?
Have had same issue with a Honda Element until I realized I did not have everything turned off such as the radio. Since then no issue
Some disconnect the battery (-) terminal while towing
Dave M
Greg,
Either disconnect the battery or run a charge line from the coach. If you want information on wiring a charge line, let us know.
Brett
I think disconnecting the battery is a quick an effective fix. Thanks.
Hi Dave, I see our coaches were made around the same time, if build number has anything to do with it.
Greg,
Quick and effective, yes, but it will be a hassle if you use the radio/clock in the car since it will have to be reset when you reconnect.
We use a 6-pin electrical hookup for our toad and it keeps the battery charged. If you don't have a 4-pin hookup the charge line Brett mentions is the way to go.
Michelle
Do you use an auxillary braking system that plugs into the 12 V port? If so, disconnecting the neg battery cable won't be an option. If you don't have an auxillary brake in your CRV, you should give it serious consideration.
We currently use a 6 pin electrical cord with our blue ox. Is this suppose to also keep the battery charged?
It depends on how the coach and car were wired when they were set up for towing. Since we use a US Gear brake in the car, the installer set it up with 12V going from coach to car to prevent battery drain.
-M
Yes, with a 6 pin connector, the answer is it COULD have a charge wire. You will have to see how yours is wired.
Read your manual carefully. On my HHR you are required to pull a fuse to keep the battery from being depleted as the key is in acces. so the steering is free. I use a fuse switch instead of having to pull the fuse everytime. You should have the same setup. This also keeps the milage from running up while towing. Tks DAN
I'm curious. I have a 6-pin electrical connection that FOT installed on the towed last year. But they ran a separate charge wire that has to be connected each time along with the 6-pin connection. Any reason why FOT did not use the appropriate pin for 12V and instead ran another wire?
We use Toad Charge (TOAD-CHARGE Dinghy Vehicle Battery Charger/Maintainer (http://www.lslproducts.com/ToadChargePage.html) ) to keep our tow vehicle battery charged. Works great if we are traveling many days without disconnecting Jeep.
My Element regularly goes 8 hours and engine still starts
Same here with our 2004 Element. 120K miles (NIC towed miles).
best, paul
Read the lights and fuse portion of this article and I think you will have your answer.
Outfitting a Honda CR-V for Flat Towing (http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/rv-how-to/rv-tech-tips/outfitting-a-honda-cr-v-for-flat-towing/)
Jim
Just a note, you have an issue with phantom loads and discharging. I know my wrangler can be towed for 4 days straight with no issues but the newer ones had oe then the current couple model years removed the steering wheel lock. Maybe that is the way to go and remove the steering wheel lock.
RE "remove the steering wheel lock".
On our 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, we removed the steering wheel lock, which allowed us to tow without ignition key.
Removed plastic collar trim around steering column. Opened up steering lock and removed spring and pin.
Also eliminated any accidental steering wheel lock-up while towing.
Our 2012 Jeep Grand does not have a factory steering wheel lock and does not need ignition to tow.
Barry, what tow bar are you using with your 2012 Jeep? We just bought a 2013 grand Cherokee and currently use Blue Ox and will again with the new Jeep.
Wow, a 2013 already? What model and choices did you buy?
I assume you are questioning our baseplate.
We had a Blue Ox baseplate on our 10-yr old 2002 Jeep Grand Limited and put another Blue Ox baseplate on our 2012 Jeep Grand Overland Summit. The 2002 baseplate was one piece of steel that bolted to left and right frame members. The 2012 is two separate pieces of steel that each bolt to a frame member without any BlueOx steel between them. The baseplate uses the strength of the Jeep OEM cross frame to keep the tow-bar connection solid. It has towed for 8 months just fine. We are using our same Blue Ox Aventa LX steel towbar that we used for many years. The tabs are a bit wider apart than our 2002.
We used Tow Daddy for wiring and it simplified connections and we did not have to cut any OEM wires. We are using a 7-way tow plug so we only have one cable plug for wiring, brakes & battery charging.
The electronic transfer case neutral is new to us, and works fine. It is easy to remove the keyless ignition button for towing. The jeep is awesome and loves sand and water.
We think that Blue Ox is the only baseplate to use because of the easy small removable tabs. I just don't understand why the Roadmaster bulky, leg banger, baseplate is used by so many.
We also have a 2013 grand cherokee on the way. This will be our fourth jeep to tow and have been happy with the blue ox base plates. Never had any battery problems towing up to four days without unhooking. Barry, glad to see the electronic neutral on the transfer case is working out. We will keep our 2005 liberty as well.
I bought a 2011 Chevy half ton ,4 by 4 last year . The electric neutral switch . Big time trouble with it .I have sat for hours waiting for it to switch to neutral so i could travel .Took it to Chevy dealer and nothing was found wrong .I got that thing home and it will never be towed again .Nice truck , looks good , runs good,but it will not hold back going down a grade worth a toot , so it is now my daily driver grocery getter etc .Wanted a manual lever transfer handle type , but GMC won't build that type any more . So i now have to tow my 2008 F-250 4by4 , no problems here ,towed it many miles , just weighs more . Brad Metzger
It appears that it's getting harder and harder to find a brand new vehicle that can be towed 4-down. I have decided that I want a Jeep (Wrangler, probably) for our towed once we actually get to the point of going off for extended periods. That's subject to the DW's ideas, of course, but so far she's on board.
Right now I'm lusting after a Rubicon. :D
Craig
Jeep Grand is our choice for a single car family as it tows great and is our most comfortable car to drive long distances that we have owned. And when driving on dirt roads, over rocks, on sand, steep climbing or crossing water we always comment glad we have this Jeep. And for $1,900 Chrysler has a factory lifetime bumper to bumper warranty option.
Not to mention its many safety features that automatically apply brakes if needed, beep if something is in front while driving, or next to us when changing lanes or behind or near us when backing up. Chrysler got it right with this model and I am sure the 2013 will be the same.
2012 Grand is about a thousand pounds heavier than our 2012 Jeep Grand. We also added Mopar rock rail sliders which add a few pounds. We are doing ok on mountains with our Cummins C8.3 engine, but 3rd gear is getting a little more use and 2nd gear has made sure we can climb anything. Our change to a new motorhome Aero muffler has probably helped.
To put transfer case in neutral for towing, pop out keyless ignition pushbutton, turn key-fob ignition on, foot on brake, transmission in neutral, push transfer case neutral button for a moment, confirming light stays on, remove key-fob, lock door.. Reverse procedure to drive car. We use a plastic window installer tool to pop pushbutton out and use an old-style hard plastic LCD stylus to push neutral button.
We ordered a Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4. Should be here in about 4-6 weeks. We will look at the tow daddy as well. Hope to have the new jeep already to tow for before the GrandVention.
Our 2011 jeep grand Cherokee overland works the same as Barry & Cindy's except after it is in neutral we always start the jeep, put it in drive or reverse to confirm it is in neutral then we always leave the shift selector in Park. We then shut the engine off and remove the key. We have towed the car with Blue Ox for over twelve thousand miles without a problem.
Ditto 2010 Jeep Liberty
Roland
For our 2012 Jeep Grand, we also start to see tach climb without spedo movement after neutral.
Love that we don't have to leave a key in ignition to tow as it seems inviting for a thief to pull tow pins and drive it away, when we leave it connected to motorhome, while we shop or sleep. I think everyone who finds themself in this situation should have a kill switch to prevent ignition key starting.
For our PT cruiser I had a key blank without the computer chip cut.It unlocks the wheel but will not start the car.Gama
Ditto on our Ford Focus. But I am considering removing the lock, if it can be done.
The same on our 2007 Ford Escape 4wd. With the blank key, turn the ign. on/ off and leave the key in. Put the 5 sp manual trans in neutual and your good to go.
We installed the the Blue Ox and the bulb & socket lights in the taillights our self. Had M & G install their air braking system.
Have towed over 10k miles and no problems.