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Long Time Away (and questions on towing a Honda CR-V)

March 21, 2015, 12:05:55 am

Hello All,
Believe it was some time last year  last time I logged on. Been busy building a home out of town and adding on to our personal home when time would allow. At one point we ended up dry camping in the coach from mid November  right up until Christmas eve. While house was unlivable and power was waiting on screw up with permit to come back to our property. Through all the trial and  exhaustion found ourselves grateful to have safe haven on the property in our beautiful old coach.
On a technical note ,we are on the verge of trading our lovely Jetta Sportwagen TDI for a Honda CRV with low miles . Simply can't justify purchasing an old CJ or Wrangler for RV trips only and a tow dolly is just too much hassle for the kind of "camping" we hope to enjoy in the coming years. Does anyone have experience with the CRV and or know of a better hatch back/wagon my wife could drive on a regular basis that would be suitable for four down duty? We are ready to hit the road again and do not care to travel without a runabout any longer!
                                                                              Any input is much appreciated!


(Updated title to be more descriptive - Michelle)

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Re: Long Time Away

Reply #1 – March 21, 2015, 10:08:00 am

Only a caution, i think Michelle told me that after some recent date, crv cannot be towed as some of the earlier ones.  Jackie and i like the jeep, she uses it as daily car but we live in a small town, perhaps in a city would not be as popular with her, dont know.  Lots of threads about towables.

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Re: Long Time Away

Reply #2 – March 21, 2015, 10:09:12 am

2015 CR-Vs can't be towed 4-down due to CVT transmission.  2014 and earlier can.

We towed a 2003 for 11 years, just traded it for a 2014 and did so only to ensure we had a towable CR-V for the next decade or more.  The '03 was our go-to vehicle for just about everything.  Now the 2014 is being treated like a "hangar queen", at least until its first tow...  (it's been a long time since we had a new vehicle)

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Re: Long Time Away

Reply #3 – March 21, 2015, 10:11:40 am

I love my Wrangler for a daily driver but we have another car we drive when we want to dress up and avoid dog hair

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Re: Long Time Away (and questions on towing a Honda CR-V)

Reply #4 – March 21, 2015, 10:36:44 am

My 2005 CRV has been bullet proof, except perhaps for the air bag recall. 80,000 mi on odometer and towed about 45,000 more.

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Re: Long Time Away (and questions on towing a Honda CR-V)

Reply #5 – March 21, 2015, 12:33:03 pm

Our 2003 CRV has been great - both as a toad and a runabout. 

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Re: Long Time Away (and questions on towing a Honda CR-V)

Reply #6 – March 21, 2015, 12:38:04 pm

If you don't mind a standard shift- Subaru Outback 2013 is towable, roomy, comfortable, all wheel drive, 30 mpg.
It has 6 speed manual transmission as that is the only way to tow a Subaru, otherwise all 4 wheels must be up on a trailer due to full time AWD.

We both like and drive the stick, but if you want automatic, the Honda CRV is a great way to go.

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Re: Long Time Away (and questions on towing a Honda CR-V)

Reply #7 – March 21, 2015, 04:59:53 pm

We love our CRVs  we have one each.  Pity we can't tow both at the same time.  Only thing they are prone to road noise so be careful which tires you put on them.

Keith

Keith

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Re: Long Time Away (and questions on towing a Honda CR-V)

Reply #8 – March 21, 2015, 11:55:23 pm

 Thanks for all the input! Maybe in a couple years I can swing a low mileage Wrangler? Sadly we went ahead and bit the bullet today. Just a little sick over trading a one year old Jetta for a 2012 CRV with twice the miles   . Alas Hondas hold value inexplicably well and selling the Jetta for an extra 1 to 2 grand would have been a hassle at best. Also understand trade in value vs retail and dealerships have to earn money to stay in business . Ugh, wish we hadn't purchased the Jetta 4 months before the 280!
Whats done is done, clean new to us CRV ready to head to Abita Springs area for Easter Holiday! Any suggestions on Tow Bar kits?
                                                                  Many Thanks!

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Re: Long Time Away (and questions on towing a Honda CR-V)

Reply #9 – March 22, 2015, 07:45:49 am

We use the Blue Ox Aladdin. Rated at 7500 lbs and fairly light weight - 37 lbs.

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