If you own or are considering a Honda HR-V and you’re looking to pull your rig, you’re probably wondering: can an HRV tow a trailer?
Yes, a Honda HR-V can tow a trailer or camper up to 1,000 pounds.
There are additional factors you’ll need to consider when towing a travel trailer or camper with your Honda HRV which we’ll cover below.
Towing A Trailer With An HRV
So, can a Honda HRV tow a trailer? Yes: the Honda HRV towing capacity is 1,000 pounds, so as long as your camper, toy hauler, travel trailer, or pop-up camper is under 1,000 lbs your Honda HR-V can successfully tow it.
Now we need to explore the additional factors you’ll need to keep in mind when towing a camper with your Honda HRV.
Honda HRV Tow Package Details
Does The Honda HRV Come With A Tow Hitch?
The Honda HRV does not come with a tow hitch, so you’ll need to add one yourself or have one installed professionally.
Honda HRV Trailer Towing: What Do I Need?
At minimum you’ll need a Honda HRV hitch and wiring harness to tow your camper behind your Honda HRV.
Do I Need A Brake Controller To Pull A Camper With A Honda HRV?
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.
You will not need a brake controller since the Honda HRV can only tow up to 1,000 pounds.
Honda HRV Hitch Cost
Honda HRV Trailer Hitch & Wiring Harness Cost
Honda HRV trailer hitches run between $75-$125.
Take a look at this recommended Honda HRV Hitch Kit:
- 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 HR-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 HRV trailer hitch wiring harness runs between $35-$60.
- 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 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 HRV
- 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 HRV Hitch Installation Cost
Expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed on your Honda HRV (including the hitch and wiring harness).
Honda HRV Brake Controller Cost
Honda HRV brake controllers cost between $100-200 for the part, and up to $250 for the installation of the brake controller.
Can You Put A Trailer Hitch On A Honda HRV? Honda HRV Trailer Hitch Installation
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness on your HR-V yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Honda HRV hitch installation:
What Else Will I Need To Pull A Trailer With My Honda HR-V?
Depending on what trailer or camper you’ll be pulling with your Honda HRV, you may opt for a suspension enhancement kit to reduce rear-end sag and to improve your ride quality and stability.
Additionally, if your trailer or camper has electric brakes then you’ll need a 7-way connector and brake controller kit.
What Trailers And Campers Can A Honda HR-V Tow?
Your Honda HRV can pull a trailer, camper, or pop-up camper under 1,000 pounds which is going to be most ultra lightweight campers.
The Honda HRV can safely tow the following travel trailer and camper models under 1,000 lbs:
- So-Cal Buzz
- SylvanSport GO
- Polydrop Camper
- Go Little Guy MyPod
- Meerkat Camper
- So-Cal Rover Teardrop Trailer
- Roulotte ProLite
- ProLite Cool Camper
This is by no means a full list, but the above are some popular examples of campers that can be towed by a Honda HR-V.
When determining what travel trailers you can pull behind your Honda HRV, 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 1000 lbs so your Honda HRV 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 1000 pounds.
Honda HRV Towing Capacity
So, how much can a Honda HRV tow?
The Honda HRV can tow up to 1,000 pounds.
Honda HRV Towing Capacity: 1,000 lbs
Honda HRV GVWR: 4,001 lbs
You’ll want to pay attention to the following specs to make sure your Honda HRV 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 HRV GVWR or Honda HRV towing capacity can damage the vehicle.
Can A Honda HRV Tow A Travel Trailer? Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully this guide helped you to understand that yes, you can pull a trailer with a Honda HRV as long as you pay close attention to the total weight (the camper or travel trailer must be under 1000 pounds).
Honda HR-V models don’t come with a tow hitch installed, so you’ll need to add one to the vehicle. Once that’s done you’re ready to hit the road and get camping!
What hitch and wiring harness did you choose for your Honda HR-V, 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.
While you’re here, check out our other helpful travel trailer, camper, and RV repair guides:
- What to do if your RV water pump keeps running
- How to perform RV toilet foot pedal repair
- Our guide to RV roof reseal cost
- What to do if your RV heater is blowing cold air
- How to fix an RV microwave not working
- Our guide to motorhome fuel pump replacement
- How to replace RV window glazing bead
- How to fix an RV toilet not holding water
- How to fix a sagging RV slide out
- Preparing for an RV one night freeze
