new honda CRV 2.2 Deisel

[Rodone]

Hello all,

Any one towed with one of these, and any comments? Weights seem OK for what I need, but just wondered about performance etc?

 

[rayc]

rod, I have got a 2006 model - not the latest. It is by far the best tow car I have had in 20 years of caravanning. I have a 1300kg MPTLM van and the car keeps up to road speed with no problems. It has got 30,000 miles on thee clock now and tows even better as it is getting run in. The tyres, brake pads etc are all original although I think the font ones will need replacing by 35,000. This is the 2nd CRV I have had, my first one was petrol 2002 and had done 70,000 miles when replaced at 3 years. In that time it had not required any repairs at all and never let me down - my present one appears to be the same reliability. I get approx 40mpg solo mixed motorway and surburban and low 30's towing unlless 3 bikes on the roof when it is high 20's.

 

[MrsMothy]

Hi Rod

We've ordered one for the end July / beginning of August when we get back from holiday as we didn't want to mess about changing our ferry booking. A chap named Alexander who posts on here has been towing with one since about March (I think). If you don't get any positive responses, you might want to repost as 'FAO Alexander'.

Denise

 

[Rodone]

Hello Denise,

Thanks for you reply. I'll be very interested to hear how the new CRV performs for you. What will you be towing with it? Currently I tow with a 2.2 Accord Tourer, with the same (excellent!) engine, and my only real concern with the Accord is it's low noseweight capability. On wet grass, or a steep hill in the wet, when towing, it cannot grip without real nursing. My current van weighs around only 1250 MPTLM, but I will probably go up to 1450 kg - when I've sorted the car side! Anyway good luck with the CRV - and please keep us informed> I'll try to contact Alexander.

 

[william_5128769]

Hi Rod

I have a new crv diesel and think its great. I have only towed my Sterling Moonstone to he dealer for its service but the roads are a mixture of motorway and A roads with a couple of steep hills. The van was nearly empty so would weigh around 1240kg and the car towed very well.In two weeks I am off to Devon travelling from central Scotland and based on my short tow don't anticipate any problems.My last car was a Volvo V70D5 and this car seems as good plus I like the higher driving position. I looked at various cars, 4x4s etc and decided that I didn't need permanent 4 wheel drive but wanted the higher driving position. For me the Honda ticked all the boxes except the pretty one but its looks are growing on me and anyway for me looks are the least important reason to buy a car. I was tempted by the new Rav4, my wife has one of the last old shape but did not like the tailgate for caravaning. Hope this helps.

 

[antrimboy]

William-Have you an accurate figure for the kerbweight of the diesel by any chance? I'm also considering the diesel CR-V, but not too happy about brochure kerbweights.

 

[Rodone]

Hello Eddie,

You are right to have concerns! The following relate to the Ex 2.2 ( the heaviest)

Whatcar 1617 kg

Whattowcar 1614 kg

Honda Brochure 1692 kg

Quite a difference.

 

[william_5128769]

Eddie

I have checked the weights in the CRV manual supplied with the car.

petrol M/T 1498-1613kg

A/T 1533-1648kg

diesel 1617-1729kg

max trailer with brakes petrol M/T 1600kg

diesel 2000kg

noseweight 100kg

The weights will vary due to the car spec. I have the ES model which is listed at 1660kg.

I have read that different methods are used to measure kerb weight depending on who is weighing the car so the weight quoted on whattowcar may use another countries system.As an example I understand one country may include a full tank of fuel while another measures the weight empty.

While the kerbweight is important as long as you are pulling something with a mptlm of around 1400kg even the lowest diesel comes in at 86.5% ratio. My van fully loaded is 1425kg giving me an 86% ratio which is good. While keeping the weight ratio around 85-88% is good the loading of the van is even more important for a stable tow so I wouldn't hesitate to tow at 90%.

 

[antrimboy]

rod and william, many thanks to both of you.I'm currently towing a 1500 kg. 'van with a Touran DSG, (max. tow limit of 1500 kg)which has a kerbweight of 1725 kg.,on two different weighbridges,(1592 in the brochure, and 1712 in the hand-book), and I was hoping that the CR-V would possibly weigh in at something similar,or slightly more, but the Touran has a tow-ball limit of 75 kg, which I find difficult to achieve, and feel that a heavier noseweight would make a better tow, which is where the CR-V would be of more benefit. One downside would be losing the DSG gearbox, which I find fantastic, but I've heard that there might be an auto CR-V diesel coming out in 2008.In theory, this should have a higher kerbweight too.

 

[WilliamTups]

Hi,

I towed with the outgoing model and at approx 60 mph the car made a "pinking noise" which two dealers told me was just the characteristics of the diesel engine which on a long drive drove me potty. Unfortunately this trait has been carried over into the new CRV which I used on a three day trial (towed the Caravan for a few hours whilst I had the car)

For the price of the CRV EX model with the toys, I managed to get a Freelander 2 (ex demo) with more kit and a better drive for slighly less money....... but after all it is your choice

 

[william_5128769]

Hi

In reply to the last post I am the William who has a CRV not the one who has bought a freelander. I have had my CRV for 2200 miles and have not experienced the pinking noise. The other William ( confusing isn't it)is correct in that it's your choice. Drive both and see what you suits you not anyone else.

 

[rayc]

I have done 30000 + miles in my 2.2 diesel and it has never "pinked". The engine is a bit rattly when cold but when warmed up it is as quiet as any petrol car I have had at any road speed. A great tow car which does allI ask effortlessly.

 

[Rodone]

Hello all,

The engine in my current Honda Accord is exactly the same diesel unit as in the CRV, and I have found it to be first rate in all respects. I have never noticed any 'pinking' type noises and it will tow happily all day. My original question was really aimed at the towing characteristics of the CRV. If it was purely a question of how good the engine is, my decision would be quite easy!! One of the doubts that I have is the delay, if/when the 4 wheel drive kicks in?

 

[rayc]

rod, The 2006 model I have seems to engage the 4 wheel drive faster and more smoother than the 2002 one I had previously. I have not had any problems with wheel spin etc on wet rally fields - but not sure if the 4 wheel drive has engaged as it is so much smoother. Ray

 

[WilliamTups]

Hi Rod,

For the 20 months I had my CRV diesel I found it a very capable towcar and my 1326kg van was no problems at all, as for the 4 wheel drive, it kicked in smoothly and in fact the only time we knew when it engaged was when the back of the car dug in and griped, the most scary time was whilst towing in a heavy downpour we were pulling away uphill from a set of traffic lights, the front wheels slipped the back wheels engaged and the whole car shot forward as the back of the car found grip.

The "pinking noise" I had in my CRV and also experienced in x4 dealer stock CRV's, I tested (all with approx 10k on the clock) whilst trying to investigate the fault and then later on my wife's FRV and the new style CRV (I test dove with 6.5k on the clock) all made the same noise, however the diesel Accord was the only car that did not "pink" - it took four months, two dealerships and the involvement of Honda UK to say that it was the characteristics of the engine due to the small components around the cambelt - the technical advice given by Honda UK was don't worry and just turn the radio over 10 and you can't hear it!

Don't get me wrong I still have the CRV, it is just that one of the chaps that works for me now gets the pleasure of driving it and he thinks it's great!!!

Regards Bill (now with the freelander)

 

[Alexander_374295091]

Rod

As you know I had taken delivery of my 2007 ES spec CR-V 2.2CTDI on 1st March. I now have over 1500 towing miles under my belt in the CR-V and am convinced that we made the right choice in the Honda.

I bought the CR-V with my head as my heart really wanted the Freelander 2, but the Honda ticked all the right boxes for our circumstances and had a huge cost savings over a brand new Freelander. I drive 4x4's every day at work travelling to remote hilltop radio sites and didn't set out to buy a compact 4x4 as a tug for the caravan, we set out looking at Estates and MPV's The final decision was down to the wife, as always the case as she drives the CRV the most.

I know you are mostly interested in its towing characteristics and the only downside I can tell you is that because the suspension is soft on some B roads, some extra movement can be felt, this I can live with as the suspension when solo is great at absorbing bumps, you should find that the CRV solo rides better than the Accord Tourer that a friend of mine has. My wife is pregnant and really suffered until about 2 weeks ago with sickness and she found the towing movement on some minor roads hard to take.

Our caravan loaded is around 1450kgs and our noseweight is 85 kgs, before we set off I up the rear tyre pressures to 33 p.s.i.

I have never experienced any jolts or delays when the 4 wheel drive kicks in, if you are too eager to make away from wet junctions or roundabouts on an incline I have spun the front wheels, the traction control kicks in and stops the spin and seems to engage the rear wheels, but no forward movement is delayed. I also find that I tow mostly in fifth gear, but sixth does cope okay at 55mph with the cruise control on, I find I get better mpg in fifth though towing.

CR-V PRO's.

MPG, we get around 30mpg while towing.

Spec on ES model is great.

Price, got mine for under 21k with a Honda detachable towbar and an i-pod connector fitted.

85% match for kerbweight is 1411kgs, Max towing weight is 2000kg.

Towball limit is 100kg

Drives as well as most estate cars, but with extra traction and higher driving position.

Refined 2.2 diesel engine.

Large boot and tailgate without spare carried on it, boot can be opened with ease while hitched.

Our daughter loves being able to look out the side window when sitting in her car seat, something she couldn't do in our saloon car.

CR-V Con's.

Looks not to everyone's taste.

Not a go anywhere 4x4.

Soft suspension when towing.

Engine sometimes needs worked when towing.

Back seat can only accommodate two child seats or booster seats for children under 12.

Front passenger airbag can't be turned off.

We found road noise a problem in the EX spec, I think due to the larger wheels and lower profile tyres.

Hope this all helps you make a decision.

 

[david_374227177]

sir, having bought the new crv in april(my last car c max), with us travelling up to yorkshire via malton, the car was not fully run in 650 miles on the clock in june, i struggled up the hills (caravan abbey 460 new) granted the wind was blowing, i thought oh oh made a mistake in swapping my c max, but now i have done over 2500 miles what a car for pulling, i was going up the hills in 5th/6th gear and returning about 28 to gallon, we have had 53 mpg without the van, but many times i forgot the van was hitched up, the car flowed well, as for the part time 4x4 it works well, the site we were on was very wet and i had to reverse and you could feel it kicking in. we have been up yorkshir twice, first time for 10 days rained for 8, then 2 weeks ago went up agai for 10 days rained for 9. as for the new crv i love it. regards david

 

[Rodone]

Hello Alexander,

I purchased the new CRV EX 2.2 at end of June. I deliberated hard between the FL 2 and the CRV, and frankly the CRV seemed to give so much more for the money that I went for it. We think it is a fantastic car, and like you mentioned, it it much more comfortable than the ( still very good) Accord. The Sat Nav is probably a bit more than I require, and the voice controls on just about everything are a bit of a gimmick, but overall it is far better all round than I expected. Once I have the miles over 1000 I will take the van on tow. I had the Witter detach fitted at a fitter recommended by Honda - for

 

[Alexander_374295091]

Rod

That's great you are enjoying it, sounds like you have the EX model, does your reversing camera make hitching a doddle.

I too am not sure how the TSA works, I intend to contact Honda direct, some people I have spoken to said it activates when the electrics are coupled, others have said the dealer should have turned it on via their hand held terminals. I would have thought a change on the dash lights would show when you turn the ignition on, I will hitch up tonight and check if there is a change in the dash lamp between electrics connected or not.

Kind Regards.........Alec

 

[Rodone]

Hello Alexander,

I would be interested to know what the result is re the TSA. It is one of those things that you never really want first hand practical experience of - but it would be good to know it is in fact there if it's needed! I have not hitched up yet as I am determined to wait until 1000 miles before towing. However, I can see the towball easily in the reversing camera, and I can see that it will be simple to hitch up. The 2.2 engine is very quiet, and I do not seem to suffer the tappety noises that some have mentioned. The large mirrors make a bit of wind noise occasionally, but hardly anything. I shall be taking the van 300 miles with the Accord at the end of next week, but on the next trip I should be using the CRV - and really looking forward to that!

 

[annierich]

I'm interested in the answer to this problem too. Our CRV arrives next week and we hope to fit a towbar soon.

 

[Rodone]

Hello Annie,

Just spoke ( again) to a chap at Honda HQ and he made enquiries and got back to me. He told me that 'TSA is on all of the time via the VSA'. I suppose therefore that the VSA is programmed in some way, to sense any instability caused by the caravan movement and react accordingly. I hope that you find the CRV as good as we do!!

 

[stuart_5107319]

Hi

You may need to check that your TSP is activated. I have a BMW 3 series touring and the only way to recieve the benefit of TSP is to have a factory fit towbar. 3rd party fitters cannot access or activate this part of the software.

It may be different for Honda but I would check.

Stu

 

[Rodone]

Hello Stuart,

The company that fitted my Witter said that they also did work for two local Honda dealers, including fitting of genuine ( badged up!!) Honda bars. They claimed that in all cases, the electrics plug in the same manner, and that they have never had to do any more than that.

 

[stuart_5107319]

Good news, thats how it should be. I think BMW are a bit anal over things like this. Also I had to spend nearly