Hi, I need to get a tow hitch installed on my 2001 Honda CRV so that I can tow a moped from NY State to Boston, MA. The trip is 400 miles. I will be using a UHaul-rented motorcycle trailer to do the job.
I’ve never had a hitch put on a car before. UHaul tells me that I need a hitch with the following specifications:
- Must have Class 1 tow hitch (1,500 lbs. minimum weight-carrying rating)
- Must have 1-7/8", 2" or 2-1/8" hitch ball (2,000 lbs. minimum)
- Must not exceed maximum allowable hitch ball height 25"
UHaul sells and installs tow hitches, but before I have them do the job, I wonder if there are better and/or less expensive places to consider? I live in Boston (specifically, Jamaica Plain).
I should mention that the moped weighs about 200 lbs. The rented trailer weighs 550 lbs according to the UHaul website.
Any advice or recommendations are welcome. Thank you!
I don’t know if they do it still but they used to do a temporary tow hitch they could remove, but it may be a permanent hitch is the new standard. Check towing specs in your manual, but any camper top rv center etc. would be a good place for price check on a hitch. The biggest thing to be aware of is the hitch will be below your bumper and may scrape and drag on steep driveways etc., but should not hurt anything. Check the manual for towing capacity and tongue weight but I don’t think you will have a problem.
just drop by the parts dept. your Honda dealer…they can give you all the info you need. If a hitch can be put on your car then there should be bolts in place that can be used to install one. I did one for my RAV…just removed the tow hooks and installed a hitch bar.
U-Haul tends to be pretty reasonable concerning hitch prices, but you can shop around. Look for RV specialists and those who sell and build boat trailers.
Please be sure to check your owner’s manual to make sure your CR-V is capable of towing the combined weight of the trailer and the moped. The new CR-V has 1,500 pounds of towing capacity, but it is a “cross over” vehicle (a minivan that is meant to look like an SUV) and your CR-V is a car-based SUV (a Civic Frame with an SUV body). The Civic, on which your CR-V is based, was not designed to tow anything. If your owner’s manual tells you not to tow with it, please don’t.