If you own or are considering a Honda CRV and you’re looking to pull your rig, you’re probably wondering: can a Honda CRV pull a camper?
Yes, a Honda CRV can pull a camper or travel trailer up to 1,500 pounds.
There are additional factors you’ll need to consider when towing a travel trailer or camper with your Honda CRV which we’ll cover below.
Pulling A Camper With A Honda CRV
So, can a Honda CRV pull a camper? Yes: the Honda CRV towing capacity is 1,500 pounds. As long as your camper, travel trailer, pop-up camper, or toy hauler is under 1500 lbs your Honda CRV can successfully tow it.
Now we need to explore the additional factors you’ll need to keep in mind when towing your camper using your Honda CRV.
Honda CRV Towing Package Info
Does The Honda CRV Come With A Towing Package?
The Honda CRV does not automatically come with a towing hitch installed.
Honda offers an optional towing package that can be selected at the time of vehicle purchase.
If that option wasn’t originally selected, you’ll need to add a towing hitch to your CRV yourself or have one installed professionally.
What Do I Need To Pull A Camper With A Honda CRV?
At minimum you’ll need a trailer hitch and wiring harness to tow your camper behind your Honda CRV.
Do I Need A Brake Controller To Tow A Camper With A Honda CRV?
If your travel trailer or camper has electronic brakes then you’ll also need a brake controller to send a signal from your vehicle to the brakes on your trailer.
Most states have laws stating that any trailer over 3,000 pounds must have a brake controller, but check with your state for specifics.
Since the Honda CRV can only tow 1,500 pounds, you will not need a brake controller.
Honda CRV Tow Package Cost
Honda CRV Trailer Hitch & Wiring Harness Cost
Honda CRV trailer hitches run between $125-$200.
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. With a strong, welded steel build, this class 1 hitch is rated for 2,000 lbs. gross trailer weight and 200 lbs. tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- HIGHLY VERSATILE. Add useful, versatile towing options to your vehicle with this class 1 trailer hitch. It provides a standard 1-1/4-inch x 1-1/4-inch receiver hitch, allowing you to tow a small trailer or mount a cargo carrier or bike rack
- DUAL-COAT FINISH. For industry-leading rust, chip and UV resistance inside and out, this aftermarket tow hitch kit is submersed in a liquid A-coat and co-cured with a durable black powder coat finish
- EASY INSTALLATION. This class 1 hitch is designed to factory fit select model years of the Honda CR-V
- TESTED FOR SAFETY. Each CURT class 1 trailer hitch design is thoroughly tested, using real vehicles in real-world conditions. Our hitches are tested to SAE J684 specifications for safety on the road ahead
A Honda CRV trailer hitch wiring harness runs between $25-$40.
- EASY TO INSTALL — No cutting! No splicing! This trailer wiring harness kit plugs into existing factory wiring on your vehicle and equips it with a standard, rear 4-pin trailer wiring connector for plugging in and towing a trailer
- STANDARD CONNECTOR — This plug-in 4-flat trailer wiring can be used to connect trailer tail lights, brake signal lights and turn signals. 4-way trailer light wiring is popular on a wide variety of trailers, adding versatile towing options for your vehicle
- VEHICLE-SPECIFIC — This aftermarket, vehicle-trailer wiring harness is designed for select years of the Honda CR-V
- RELIABLE POWER — This 4-way trailer wiring harness is built with surface mount technology. This type of circuitry generates less heat, optimal light intensity and durable performance
- DUST COVER — To promote long-lasting use and weather resistance, this 4-pole trailer lighting wire harness comes with a rubber dust cover. It easily fits onto the 4-way flat connector when not in use, protecting it against the outdoor elements
Honda CRV Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
Expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed on your Honda CRV (including the hitch and wiring harness).
Honda CRV Brake Controller Cost
Honda CRV brake controllers cost between $100-200 for the part, and up to $250 for the installation of the brake controller.
Honda CRV Tow Package Installation
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Honda CRV trailer hitch installation:
What Else Will I Need To Pull A Camper Trailer With My Honda CRV?
Depending on what trailer or camper you’ll be pulling with your Honda CRV, you may opt for a suspension enhancement kit to reduce rear-end sag and to improve your ride quality and stability.
What Campers And Travel Trailers Can A Honda CRV Tow?
Your Honda CRV can pull a trailer, camper, or pop-up camper under 1,500 pounds which is going to be most lightweight and ultra lightweight camper trailers.
The Honda CRV can safely tow the following travel trailer and camper models under 1500 lbs:
- Rockwood Geo Pro 12RK
- Happier Camper HC1
- ProLite Mini
- TAXA Outdoors Tiger Moth
- MeerKat Trailer
- nuCamp TAG
- Rustic Trail Teardrops
This is by no means a full list, but the above are some popular examples of campers that can be pulled by a Honda CRV.
Small Trailer For Honda CRV
Here are some great small trailer for Honda CRV options that are under 1500 lbs:
- Little Guy My Pod
- inTech Chase Flyer
- Coachmen Clipper 9.0TD
Can A Honda CRV Tow A Travel Trailer?
A Honda CRV can tow up to 1,500 lbs, so a Honda CRV can tow a small or compact lightweight travel trailer like the ones we listed above.
The Honda CRV is also capable of pulling many pop-up campers, teardrop trailers, and micro campers as most of these are very lightweight.
CRV Tent Trailer Options
Good options under 1,500 pounds for Honda CRV tent trailers include the Wooly Bear Micro Camper and the Sylvansport GO.
When determining what travel trailers you can pull behind your Honda CRV, you’ll want to know the following specs:
- UVM (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) aka Dry Weight: This is the weight of a trailer as it’s manufactured at the factory. This figure includes all the weight including the axles and hitch of your trailer or camper.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): This is the maximum weight of your personal belongings that can be added. This is the GVWR minus the UVM, full fresh water tank weight, and full LP (liquid propane) gas weight. In other words, CCC = GWVR – (UVM + water + gas).
- Tongue Weight aka Hitch Weight: This is the amount of weight that’s pressing down on your vehicle’s hitch or 5th wheel connection when your travel trailer or camper is fully loaded for travel.
The most important factor to look for is the dry weight or UVM of your travel trailer or camper and making sure it’s below 1500 lbs so your Honda CRV can safely tow it.
Understand that if it’s close to that number, you must also factor in any additional weight added to your trailer via cargo, water, or propane tanks and make sure the total does not exceed 1500 pounds.
Honda CRV Towing Capacity
So, how much can a Honda CRV tow?
The Honda CRV towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.
Honda CRV Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs
Honda CRV GVWR: 4,695 lbs
You’ll want to pay attention to the following specs to make sure your Honda CRV can tow your camper or travel trailer:
- CGWR (Combined Gross Weight Rating): This is the max allowable weight including your vehicle, cargo, passengers, and the trailer.
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is the maximum weight capacity of your vehicle including the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo without a trailer or camper attached. Exceeding either or both of the Honda CRV GVWR or Honda CRV towing capacity can damage the vehicle.
Can A Honda CRV Tow A Travel Trailer? Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully this guide helped you to understand that yes, you can pull a trailer with a Honda CRV as long as you pay close attention to the total weight (the camper or travel trailer must be under 1500 pounds).
Since a Honda CRV doesn’t automatically come with a towing package installed, you’ll need to add one to your vehicle. After that, you’re ready to hit the road and get camping!
What hitch and wiring harness did you choose for your Honda CRV, and what camper or trailer are you towing with it? How did the hitch installation go? Let your fellow campers know in the comments below.
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