towing with 2001 CRV

[Dan Beachy]

We're looking at getting a small camper like a Scamp13 and drive a 2001 CRV. The manual says the towing capacity is 1,000 lbs and the Scamp13 says it is 1,200-1,500 lbs. I've been hearing different opinions about towing with a smaller car and wondering if anyone can give us their experience with towing a small camper like Scamp with a 2001 CRV or similar vehicle.

[paulw]

You want to talk to Norm (honda03842).
He should be along....

[Mike Magee]

Yeah, Norm has a CRV like yours and has towed a 16' thousands of miles. Several forum members have given him plenty of noise over it, too! But it has worked for him.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Dan Beachy

We're looking at getting a small camper like a Scamp13 and drive a 2001 CRV. The manual says the towing capacity is 1,000 lbs and the Scamp13 says it is 1,200-1,500 lbs.

First thing you need to know is the weight Scamp gives is a dry weight - which means basically it does not include any options - such as a battery, propane tank, awning, ac etc. Or any of your own gear and food.

Take a look at the thread Trailer Weights in the Real World for what you can expect it to weigh loaded up for camping - but note most of the trailers on the list were weighed in at a campground with full facilities so its a good bet few were hauling much in the way of water in their tanks when weighed.

[Francesca Knowles]

Norm has, indeed, been towing a Scamp 16 with a CRV- but I'm not sure what year his car is.

Towing capacity has fluctuated a LOT from year to year with this car.

[Raz]

Hello Dan and welcome to the forum. Towing beyond a vehicles tow rating is a subject that usually leads to great passionate debate on this forum. As far as I'm concerned it's fool hardy. Others will tell you they have done it for years and had no problems. In the end what you do is up to you, but remember, should you run into a problem, you're on your own. Take care, Raz

[Ed Harris]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Yeah, Norm has a CRV like yours and has towed a 16' thousands of miles. Several forum members have given him plenty of noise over it, too! But it has worked for him.

And here we go again!

I am pretty sure that Norms CRV and this one are not the same vehicle?

Might be an important consideration before endorsing a vehicle as adequate to tow or not,don't you think?

2001 is the last year I think for the first version CRV which is even less suited to tow than the 2nd version CRV which is what Norm has?

Anyway welcome here,do whatever you think makes the most sense,be careful and get a good set of earplugs for the answers you are likely to get about this!

I am another that would NOT say it is an OK Tow Rig.
At least I would NOT do it.

Ed

[honda03842]

Dan,

To ease the blood pressure of my friends on the site I'll send you a private email about our Honda CRV. Simply we tow a 2600 lb 1991 Scamp 16 with a 2004 Honda CRV with manual transmission.

[Ed Harris]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Dan,

To ease the blood pressure of my friends on the site I'll send you a private email about our Honda CRV. Simply we tow a 2600 lb 1991 Scamp 16 with a 2004 Honda CRV with manual transmission.

Which is not the same platform as the 2001,right?

[honda03842]

Ed I have clearly stated that to Dan.

[Ed Harris]

Just wanted to make sure,I know I have seen some 01 labeled versions like yours too?

Thanks Norm

Ed

[kootenaigirl]

Hi Dan
We have the same CRV as you (automatic transmission) and much as I love it, it has enough trouble getting up the mountain passes round here on its own never mind towing !

The lightest trailer we had was a very basic Boler with no camping stuff added when weighed and it was over 1200 lbs empty, our Scamp 13 with bunks, awning and AC was 1500 lbs empty.
I wouldn't tow them with it.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Dan,

To ease the blood pressure of my friends on the site I'll send you a private email about our Honda CRV.

LOL

[Carol H]

This forum is a great resource for info related to fiberglass trailers but if you are looking for info specific to a particular tow vehicle your best to join a forum dedicated to that topic. There is a Honda CR-V Owners Club forum www.crvownersclub.com you will get a far greater number of opinions on towing with one based on more actual owners experiences than you will here.

[honda03842]

If anyone's wondering the email I send when asked is just at 10,000 characters and is really too much for a single post.

As to mountain passes, at least our Honda with its manual transmission, has had no issues. No we're not cruising up the passes at 60 mph however we seem to do as well as most people towing. In reality, though we've crossed the Rockies numerous times, the high mountain passes represent a small percentage of our driving.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by honda03842

If anyone's wondering the email I send when asked is just at 10,000 characters and is really too much for a single post.

As to mountain passes, at least our Honda with its manual transmission, has had no issues. No we're not cruising up the passes at 60 mph however we seem to do as well as most people towing. In reality, though we've crossed the Rockies numerous times, the high mountain passes represent a small percentage of our driving.

What happened Norm to your saving the members here from doctors bills resulting from rising blood pressure?

[honda03842]

I admit to not being familiar with the 1st generation CRV.

It turns out that the dimensions of each generation of CRV are virtually the same, 103" wheel base, 70 inch width. In appearance each generation looks larger, particularly in frontal area and tire size. Most importantly each year the CRV engine seems to gain horsepower and torque and at the same time marginally better miles per gallon.

[Francesca Knowles]

Differences between the 2001 and 2004 CRV can be plainly seen at Honda's specs pages for the two vehicles:
Click here for 2001 CRV
Click here for 2004 CRV

In addition to the significantly greater torque/horsepower provided by the (completely different) engine in the 2004, there were changes made to suspension components that in my opinion constitute an improvement/major difference between the two generations, at least so far as towing is concerned.

Generational differences is a subject of much interest to me since I, too, am a small-tower, in my case using a first-gen. Kia Sportage that's approaching replacement time. (bought at 47,000 miles; now 210,000 miles; of those perhaps 50,000 towing.) Unfortunately for me, Kia went the OTHER direction with the Sportage- more recent incarnations haven't the features that make my '97 such an economical shift-on-the-fly-4x4 daily driver that can also tow my Trillium very efficiently.

I'm now shopping for a low mileage in-kind replacement for this first-gen Kia, which generation ended with the 2002 model year.

[Glenn Baglo]

Ditto RAV4. It is no longer capable of towing much of anything ( 1,500 lb ).

[Ed Harris]

I guess I am in the same relative boat with my Tundra!?

At first they were the smaller alternative full size pickup but then in 2007 something went very,very wrong?

Now the Tacoma is only a little smaller than my Tundra and the current Tundra are beasts!

Well I am content with my Mini Beast as I am on my second one!

I know the CRV were initially a direct graft almost too small and underpowered as was the Rav4 but both have gotten gradually bigger and more powerful with each iteration.

I might even snag one just like Norms if I could find a nice one with the Manual Tranny but they are few and far between for sure.

I still wold not tow with it but it would be nice for other daily driving I have a feeling.

On the other hand my Sprinter is not that comfy but does get near 30mpg every tank.

Go figure?