How Much Can a Honda CRV Tow? (Explained!)


How Much Can a Honda CRV Tow

Do you know how much a Honda CRV can tow? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.

The Honda CR-V is one of the pioneering sub-compact SUVs and it still remains one of the more versatile of the bunch with plenty of reliability and excellent gas mileage.

It’s never been considered a “towing” type of vehicle and with the 2022 edition, not much has changed.

So, how much can a Honda CRV tow? The Honda CR-V 2022, like several years before it, can only tow up to 1,500lbs. Of course, towing capacity has never been a Honda strongpoint, and it’s not something that’s a typically expected feature in any trim.

The Honda CR-V comes in four different trims, the Touring being the most premium, followed by the EX-L, the EX, and the basic package rounding them out.

Regardless of which trim you’re looking at, none of them can tow more than 1,500lbs.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get anything out of the Honda CR-V when it comes to towing. 

Does The Honda CR-V Come With A Trailering Package?

The CR-V’s 1,500lbs towing capacity is not a standard feature and has to come with an available towing package.

Granted, you get some pretty decent trailering package features that include a Class 3 hitch receiver that is capable of towing far more than the CR-V can handle. 

You also get several software and hardware features to accommodate the CR-V’s lightweight trailering package:

  • CR-V Tow Hitch, Drawbar, Clip, and Hitch Harness
  • Hill Start Assist
  • Real-Time AWD
  • Intelligent Control System
  • Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control
  • Brake Assist

Besides the towing capacity of 1,500lbs, the Honda CR-V is limited to a 1,106lb cargo capacity.

It comes with all of the hardware parts you would expect for a standard trailering package, which is all you will need to hitch and go.

The hill-start assist would be any 80s or 90s teenager, learning to drive a manual shift uphill, dream feature.

The hill-start assist activates inside of the moment where your foot comes off of the gas and touches the accelerator, which helps prevent roll-back on a steep incline. 

Real-time All Wheel Drive (AWD) works in collaboration with the Intelligent Control System.

This innovative feature distributes the appropriate amount of power to the wheels—on an individual basis—for better control over any type of terrain, including standard asphalt highways when needed.

The Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control helps you maintain control at all times, but especially when cornering.

It’s essentially an automated system that applies subtle pressure on the brakes and power to the wheels when detrimental traction is detected.

Read also: What Percentage Of Towing Capacity Is Safe? (Best Tips!)

Brake Assist is another feature that comes standard with a Honda CR-V that is equipped with a trailering package.

It’s a standard control feature in almost all trailering packages that helps control the braking system connected to the trailer when adverse sway is detected. 

For a lightweight trailering package, Honda could have gone the route of placing little emphasis on the accompanying technology that is expected with most heavy-duty trailering packages. 

However, Honda did a solid job by manufacturing a trailering package that has a pretty noteworthy level of features.

Most of these features are probably unexpected, but as we mentioned before, a lightweight package doesn’t mean you can’t get anything out of the Honda CR-V.

Read also: Types of Trailer Hitches and Hitch Classes // Towing Hitches

What Can The Honda CR-V Tow?

As aforementioned, it doesn’t matter what trim you go with, all Honda CR-Vs are limited to a 1,500lb towing capacity.

However, there’s still a lot you can get out of it, especially if you’re an outdoor enthusiast.

There are still some camping options for the Honda CR-V, especially if you—like so many others—are jumping on the teardrop campers and the minimalist movements. 

  • Teardrop Campers
  • Fold-Out/Pop-Up Campers
  • Stand-Up Campers

You’re not going to be hauling around massive, 8-bedroom behemoth travel trailers around with a Honda CR-V, however, perhaps that’s not the idea. 

Read also: What Can I Tow With 1,500 lbs Capacity? (With 6 Examples)

Teardrop Campers

Teardrop campers have become incredibly popular and are seemingly tailor-made for the towing capacity of the Honda CR-V.

The MyPod is a prime example, with an expandable tent in the back it can actually sleep far more people than you would expect from the pod. 

The MyPod, along with most Teardrop Camper/Trailers, weighs around 650lbs, with a tongue weight of 110lbs. The Honda CR-V is more than capable of lugging this little camper around. 

On the opposite end of the Teardrop, camper size lineup is the Papa Bear, which is still at a Honda CR-V friendly 975lbs. 

Fold Out/Pop Up Campers

Pop-up campers are a little heavier than their Teardrop camper counterparts, however, they fall comfortably within the Honda CR-V’s towing capabilities.

The Livin Lite Quicksilver Campers are excellent examples of CR-V-friendly campers.

They weigh between 1,000lbs and 1,300lbs and come equipped with all of the standard features you would find in a much larger, heavier camper/trailer.

The Sylvansport Go Pop-Up Camper is another good one that takes advantage of the lightweight towing capacity of the Honda CR-V.

They weigh approximately 850lbs and come with a lot of fun, camping features.

Stand-Up Campers

Last but not least are the Stand-Up campers. These are the heaviest of the bunch, however, you can still find some that the Honda CR-V is capable of towing. The MeerKat Camper lineup is a perfect example.

Without any additional weight that you might add, the MeerKat typically weighs about 900lbs. It’s also an almost picture-perfect, miniature version of a full-sized travel trailer. 

So while the Honda CR-V is not going to be your dream, camper-hauling behemoth, it is still more than capable of contributing to the more intimate experience of two-person camping. 

Read also: Types of Trailer Hitches and Hitch Classes // Towing Hitches

Final Word

The Honda CR-V is never going to be your go-to sub-compact SUV for towing heavy campers or trailers.

Fortunately, it’s more than capable of hauling lightweight cargo, small tents/camper combos, and even some Stand-Up Campers.

It also comes with a feature-heavy trailering package, which is a pleasant surprise for such a lightweight tow package. 

It doesn’t look like Honda is going for the towing machine of the year award with the CR-V—that seems to be more reserved for the Ridgeline and the Pilot—they still have a robust towing package that’s more than capable of taking care of your light camping and towing needs.

References

https://camperreport.com/what-campers-can-a-honda-crv-tow/

https://www.wolfchasehonda.com/2020-honda-cr-v-towing-capacity/

Mike Gilmour

Hi, I'm Mike, co-founder, and editor of RV and Playa. My passion is traveling (with my RV) and enjoying the day at the beach (Playa)! Well, I originally created this blog as a way to share what I've learned by experimenting with the RV lifestyle, and I want to help others develop in life through new skills and opportunities.

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