Hi everyone, I am about to change my towcar from a Honda FR-V to a 2013 CR-V SE. I will need a flange type towbar as I use a MaxxRaxx bike rack while towing and Honda only fit swan neck ones.
There have been several posts on here regarding the fitting of non-Honda wiring upsetting the various high tech electrical gismos fitted to these cars.
I would like to have a Witter towbar fitted as I have used these for many years with no problem, but would their vehicle specific wiring run all the CR -V's systems?
Any advice gratefully accepted!
That is an option, and I have already asked the Honda garage if they would fit a Witter towbar. That was a definate no, but if I have the Witter fitted elsewhere they would fit the wiring for me. The only problem with that is the price of the additional wiring to power the caravan fridge and battery charger - £195 fitted! AND it is reported to switch off the supply if the car's system decides there is a low load on it, just like the after market specific loom does. Honda's only answer is to tow with your lights on!
Going in to the local Witter main agent for a chat tomorrow.
Going modern seems to be an expensive exercise!
Honda don't make towbars, they only produce vehicles therefore a supplied towbar to a Honda dealer could well be a Witter or other well known brand but of course with the Honda logo on which you pay about 20% more just for the privilege. I had a 'Tow-Trust' towbar fitted to my Volvo then got a Volvo dealer to install the dedicated towing loom afterwards but it all depends on the dealer as some are more co-operative than others.
You may also have a problem with the reversing sensors bleeping when hitched up as it sees the caravan as an obsticle about to impact with the rear of the car. Part of the Honda dedicated wiring, and the softwear update that they install into the cars onboard computer system prevents this. We questioned all these things when we bought our CRV which is the same SE 2.2cdi version as yours and is just two years old next month.
After reading all the posts on several forums, and hearing of a few negative comments from those who had gone down the cost cutting route and had other makes of towbars and wiring looms fitted, only to find they had to pay out again to get the problems put right, and the fact that the Honda warantee on the car would become null and void should any problems arise from fitting a non type approved towbar, we decided to 'bite the bullet' so to speak and have the Honda tow package fitted.
Would it not be an easier option for you to just change the type of bike rack that you use?
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Most cars have 2 specific looms, one for caravan road lights which is all you need for a trailer then another loom to power the caravan electrics if customer requires it.
Thanks for all your comments and advice, I shall see what the Witter man has to say then make a decision.
Julia, as you will know, Honda tell you that a boot mounted bike rack cannot be used on the tailgate of the CR-V (or my current FR-V) so the only alternative is a roof system. As my car dosn't have rails that becomes as expensive as the towbar!
If you purchase Honda roof bars then it does become expensive but if you contact the roofbox company they will assist your needs at competitive prices plus if you mention UK Campsite you get a further discount too. I and other members on this forum have used them as they do offer excellent customer service. Their website is in the link below.
I have a CRV, came with a Witter Towbar, twin seven electrics, which I changed to single 13. No problems with beeps, I presume it was an aftermarket fit. As for not taking a bike rack on the back, no idea why you can't. Roof bars, I went Gumtree, ended up with roofbars, side steps and extra plastic under trays. All for the price any company will sell you roofbars from. Always try them first.
Thanks Peter, reassuring to hear from someone with the same setup. I have had a chat with the Witter fitter and am happy he knows what he is doing regarding updates etc. as he has done many CR-Vs (including a new one a few weeks ago). I shall be going there as soon as I have taken delivery of the CR-V.
As for the roof mounted bike carriers, I am not a fan and I am also not sure my old back will cope with lifting our bikes up there, it was bad enough with the Fiamma on the back of the motorhomes we had!
I, too, have used The Roof Box Company and found them excellent.
The tailgate on the new style CRV is mostly some kind of 'plastic'and Honda UK say that it's not made to withstand the loads put on it by a tailgate mounted cycle carrier.
Being slightly vertically challenged I've put off buying roof bars and carriers and opted instead to put the bikes in the caravan for the last two years.
As for the electrics, when we bought ours in late 2012 Honda's own wiring loom didn't take into account the Alko trailer control.The dealer actually recommended a good independent auto electrician who could sort it out as they were unwilling to alter anything provided by the company.
I still do not understand how Witter can cure the beeping problem completely, when even the Honda system will still beep as soon as reverse gear is engaged if your towball single protection cup is anything other than perfectly straight, and not even nudged slightly whilst putting shopping in the boot ect.
I am wondering if the flange of a conventional towbar would give the same problem, setting the reversing sensor alarms off as soon as reverse gear is selected, which is annoying to say the least. The Honda loom and softwear update cures the problem of the beeping whilst hitched up and 13pin socket connected between car and caravan, and is fine when solo and tow ball cover is perfectly vertical, but im not sure what would happen if a more bulky flange/ bike carrier were to be fitted. Its certainly true that a fair bit of the CRVs body pannels are made from a type of plastic, get a stone chip on one, and you will find that the body colour is not just surface deep, but the entire pannel is the same colour throughout.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
I intend to cure the problem for Witter - by buying one of their new removable flanged towbars :-)
What it will weigh with my MaxxRaxx bracket, bumper protector and Alko ball attached I shudder to think!
Hi. We also have a Crv 2014 which we're getting a tow bar for soon. We're going through Honda in case of any warranty problem but they've asked if we want a battery line fitted for 195 quid. What is this for and is it vital!? Also we're probably getting a 2006 or earlier van - would you vote for the later van wiring (2008 onwards) for future proofing or the wiring we need now with the view of an adaptor if necessary in the future? Many thanks
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Topic: Honda CRV towbars
