Towing with the new version Honda CRV

[Phil_374382102]

Has anyone any experience of towing a caravan of 1500kg mtplm (e.g. Senator Indiana) with the new version Honda CRV? I know it's more than an 85% match but don't want to the Discovery/Sorento range of vehicles.

 

[Phil_374382102]

Its me back again. Looks like my brain and fingers didn't coordinate when I posted my original message. What I meant to say was that I don't want to upgrade to a heavier vehicle like the Discovery/Sorento range due to running costs, etc.

 

[Guest]

My sister inlaw and husband traded in their CRV for an X3 2.0 diesel demonstrator so price was on a par.

I guess it depends on your driving style and requirements, having traded down to CRV due to retirement, they found the CRV a bit sedate solo and sluggish with a caravan running at around 90%. The beemer has nearly 40hp more and is heavier but gives them a few more MPG solo even with sportier performance and much better towing MPG. Overal towing MPG on their first trip to and from Spain they got 5-6 mpg more whilst towing.

They liked the CRV but thought it had nothing in reserve with 138hp towing a heavy van and more than struggled at times.

 

[antrimboy]

Thanks for your reply euro. I too have been trying to decide between the CR-V and a BMW 530D, so I think I may opt for the 530D now, due to possible inadequate power on the CR-V.(Same weight of 'van as Phil's).

 

[Guest]

We had a few X5's. I had 4.8i's and my wife the 3.0d. The straight six BMW diesel is a superb engine. We changed to Audi this year and I've got a B&B Q7 Diesel and my wife a standard 4.2 Diesel.

Diesel power in the latest engined Audi, BMW etc give some really good power and economy. Another friend tows 1550kg with an 3.0d X3 and another with the 3.5d se X5.

The latest versions of the BMW engines have improved emmisions and fuel consumption if you can get the right deal.

The 5 series engine is the same as the X series and in the lighter car or tourer you should get superb MPG with the single turbo towing or solo and performance to frighten many sports cars.

 

[PETER_5041220]

We have the new CRV 2.2CDTi and tow a 2007 Indiana. It does sit a little nose down (Witter detachable about 30mm lower than Honda's own towbar) but we have towed down to the French Alps and all over England and Wales without a problem. It is more refined then previous x-trail, freelander, but does not race away from the lights, but you are pulling a tonne and a half!

You cannot compare it with big BMW's as some have (let's match like with like). It drives well solo - about 38mpg - and I get about 24mpg towing (I tend to have a heavy right foot).

I have been pleased with its all round ability.

P

 

[Guest]

2nd post was in response to Eddie's post Peter.

My first post was re 2.0 D X3 that is comparable to the CRV, sis inlaw and her hubby had the latest CRV but decided against replacing like for like after trying a friends X3 with their caravan. They change their cars evey year and in their view the CRV is underpowered and probably uses more fuel because of that.

Towing to Spain they were getting around 30mpg with the beemers auto box, solo they regularly get 42mpg + and with some what more sparkling performance. Firmer BMW suspension also seems to give a better towing experience as well.

 

[PETER_5041220]

Ok, good point - thought I better stick up for Honda!

Agree BMW X3 is a good looking and driving car, but the price for the equivalent amount of extras added a fair bit to the cost - although I was tempted to buy nearly new. Another point was the reliability surveys, servicing, insurance, etc. X3's do not get brilliant write-ups and pound for pound I thought the CRV a better buy.

On saying that I would still like a X3!

Happy winter vanning

P

 

[Sedo]

Hi

Just as a matter of interest while we're discussing the new CRV., is there any more legroom than the previous model?

We were on the verge of buying the older CRV before the new one came out but at 6ft 3in I found the legroom dire, my knees were jammed into dash console.

Incidentally the FRV was the same, the sales person told me her father had the same trouble.

I'm hoping the new one will be better when I come up for a change.

Tomo

 

[Guest]

With Mondeo's and numeourous other regular saloon diesels pumping out more hp than the chubby 4WD CRV it doesn't exacly have power in reserve for a heavy van and holiday loads! I'm sure it will cope as we've all probably towed with less power.

Re Honda/CRV reliability, inlaws CRV pulled to the left and had nigly clutch and gear box issues, these are known CRV issues I'm told!

Fine for Honda dealer to say that they are OK, but a thousand + miles from home with 1550kg behind you! How happy would you be??

Bro in-laws demo low mileage X3 has a sat nav that works (CRV Satnav "crap") auto box that CRV doesn't come with and would add 1k plus to CRV if it was an option.

BMW hold price probably slightly better than Honda as well.

Price for demo was no more than top of range CRV.

I didn't post on behalf of BMW sales, but re the power output and an alternative. Toyota RAV and others have higher power outputs in their range.

X3 gets some good right ups from owners rather than press, I can only say that we've had numerous Beemers prior to Audi and had no problems, I would guess that BMW reliability is partly a reflection on abuse from company car driver market. BMW have taken a goodly slice of that market.

One could consider a new Freelander! A couple of our contacts have and another a RR Sport within the past 11 months. One could believe the press and super new LR reliability reports.

3 new owners and three tat cars!

 

[Rodone]

I have had a new CR-V for about 18 months and have towed my van all over the UK - although it weighs only around 1300kg, lighter than the van that you speak about. I have found nothing about the new CR-v to complain about, and it appears to be a very good towcar. There is plenty of legroom in it, and we find the luggage space adaquate for our needs. As the engine has loosened up, the CR -V has improved it's towing capabilities, especially on hills. I did consider BMW at the time I bought the CR-V, but a friend who has one told me about some of his service costs, and I went with the Honda !

 

[Garfield]

A 138 bhp diesel struggling to pull 1500kg van?, how fast do you want to go? We tow a 1600kg T/A with a 140 bhp S-max which maintains 60mph up most motorway hills in 5th gear ( which is about the same ratio as 6th in the CRV ) but if you want to maintain 60 up that 25% hill then fair enough but then didn't someone say they didnt want the additional expense of a bigger engine?.

Just a thought.

 

[Bryan_374360331]

How about one of the newish 170bhp X-Trails? We got our short list down to a CRV, X-Trail, Freelander, BMW 530d or a Passat 170, intending to pull 1500kg. Went for the X-Trail - like a big CRV but not so pretty.

 

[v.meldrew2]

I'm shopping for a replacement to our CRV 2.2. I have driven a couple of the new ones(solo)and found the performance disappointing compared with my current car, though it has the same engine. Anyone experienced similar? Other cars on my shortlist are LR Freelander and Galaxy 2.2 Ghia. Any comments on these two as tow-cars?

BTW, recently had a groaning noise from the rear diff when on full or tight lock. Dealer flushed out the diff and replaced fluid FOC, though the car is about five weeks over warranty. Thank you Honda!

 

[Guest]

The Frelander has slower performance than the CRV, if your not impressed with the CRV I'd forget the Land Rover.

Persoanally I would never think of purchasing any LR, but that's another story.

 

[Rodone]

If you are comparing a brand new 2.2 CR -V with your existing one, the performance will feel a bit flat as your car has miles on it's engine. When I changed from Honda Accord to CR -V, ( same engine), I found the same thing. Now that the CR -V has done a few miles, it feels much the same as the Accord in respect of pulling power. ( And far better to drive overall!)

 

[rayc]

I have had two CRV's, A 2002 Petrol and a 2006 Diesel. Both of the vans I have towed with them are 1350kg and I found the petrol one good but the diesel much better and it has the increased noseweight limit.

Both of them are used for work and I did 75,000 in the petrol in three years and the diesel has now done 54,000 with the three years up in January. Neither of them has had any faults at all which I think is tremendous reliability.

I was my intention to keep the diesel but have now bought a motor home so no requirement for a 2.2 ltr- I will be sad to see it go.

 

[WMRussell]

I have not owned a CRV, but friends have. They were happy with it, but it was the old model. We have owned and towed with four Galaxys and were impressed until we got stuck in a field in France. Came back and test drove a Free Lander2 and a Discovery 3, brought the D3 there and then. I must say that it is the best car I hav ever owned. It tows very very well, s not too basd on fuel 31/32 solo 26/27 with 1700kg van on back and four bikes on roof. Would not go back to two wheel drive for towing it is excellent.

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Phil

CR-V In production Kerb Weight KG 85% Weight KG Max Ball Weight KG Max Towing Weight KG

2.0 2005 1517 1289 100 1500

2.0 auto 2005 1539 1308 100 1500

2.2 CTDI 2005 1637 1391 100 1500

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Phil

(1500kg mtplm van) devided (kerb weight car 1535kg) X 100 = 97.7%

CALL IT A 98% MATCH.

Hope this help STEVE.