We intend to use DW's '07 CRV as our Toad; we'll be flat towing it. I have a few questions regarding the odometer. I'm sure that as long as the wheels are rolling the odometer will be incrementing. Since the engine and other systems won't be used during the period when the CRV is being towed is there a practical and easy way to disengage the odometer? Do you consider it ethical to disengage the odometer when the engine/trans. aren't engaged? It would seem the only wear on the car would be to the tires and to a lesser extent the brakes, booth of which are easily replaced. Or am I missing something? Wouldn't allowing the odometer to increment while towing indicate more wear on the car than it actually has therefore decreasing the value? Probably a minor concern for an 8 yr. old vehicle with 70k miles. Any advice?
Another subject: I spoke to our local Honda dealer about installing a switch to disconnect the electrical so that when the CRV is being towed the battery won't drain down. They were dead set against that idea. They said the only 'right' way to do that is to remove the cables from both battery terminals and insulate and secure them to prevent contact with the battery terminals or the frame. I could understand removing one cable (the negative I assume). Seems like there should be a better, easier way.
Regards, Brad
Barbaraok said
09:37 PM Jul 25, 2014
Unless the engine is started, the odometer doesn't turn over. So you won't be putting miles on the odometer.
Barb
bjoyce said
08:51 AM Jul 26, 2014
The odometer does not run while the CRV is towed. We towed a 2002 AWD CRV for over ten years, we know. Same with our 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, the odometer is electronic and only runs when the engine is on.
Roadmaster (and others) make fuse switches and Roadmaster's own video shows installation on a CRV - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivwzKk2X4nc. RV people often know more about this stuff than dealers.
Penny and Paul said
03:00 PM Jul 26, 2014
If the key is pointed to the II (accessory) position the odometer won't increase. If you mistakenly move the key to the start position, (like I did... ), the OD will increment. At least that's the case on an '03,
BJBoyer22 said
05:33 PM Jul 27, 2014
Bill, Barb, Penny, Paul - Thanks for your responses. Makes you wonder why the Honda dealer didn't know that, they were adamant that as long as the wheels were turning the odometer was engaged.
Bill, thanks for the referral to Roadmaster for the kill switch. I find it odd and quite disappointing that a Honda dealer doesn't know the technical aspects of their product. I really appreciate all the knowledge you've shared with me. This jump to the RV lifestyle has so many things to master but you've certainly made our eventual transition easier. I'm sincerely grateful; I'm looking forward to running into you someday so I can thank you in person. Brad
Terry and Jo said
09:35 PM Jul 27, 2014
Brad,
Just as a hypothetical question, how many times do you suppose that the dealer in question has ever been asked by someone about "towing 4-down?" If they don't know much about RV'ing, most salesmen, and sometimes others in a dealership, have no idea of what that is, let alone how their vehicle will work for being a toad.
I'm not trying to necessarily defend the dealership, but unless "someone" there goes to the mechanics or the manufacturer, they probably are "winging it" and covering their bases as per warranty issues.
Terry
BJBoyer22 said
06:24 AM Jul 28, 2014
Terry,
Excellent point. I wouldn't, and didn't, ask anyone in sales about any aspects of towing. I initially asked my service advisor, who I trust and has never steered me wrong in the past. His answers to the questions were those I reported. I wasn't quite sure he was right but I have little mechanical/automotive knowledge and couldn't really debate him. I asked him to consult with one of the master technicians for a second opinion. They brought out a mechanic from the service area and the parts department manager and we all had a brief pow-wow. Their answers were as I stated.
I've purchased 9 Hondas from this dealer (both new and used) since 1990, for DW, our children and, of course, yours truly. They have always treated me exceptionally well in terms of price, service, scheduling, courtesy, you name it - I wouldn't consider another dealer for my business. This particular incident hasn't affected my overall opinion of the dealer, they just happened to be wrong in this case - but they're still batting .995 in my opinion. I'll certainly let them know what I've been told by the good folks on this forum. I suspect that someday another customer will have the same or similar questions and now the dealer will know the right answers.
Regards, Brad
WendysPhotos said
09:58 AM Aug 3, 2014
We just asked that question to our Honda Dealer. We actually were out looking at a Honda CR-V yesterday and our dealer was very good and said NO. As long as the engine is not on the odometer will not run. That said if it is an OLDER car without a digital odometer the answer changes to YES it will accrue miles. Those are based on a little module that just counts wheel rotation.
A newer Honda CR-V does not even need you to pull the ignition fuse. Hook up and put it in neutral and key to acc and off you go. Older Honda CR-V do recommend you pull the ignition fuse.
We learned all this from FulltimeRVing.com's facebook page after asking the exact same question. OOh and reconfirming with the Honda Salesman who had been there for 20 years and had sold them for RVer's wanting to pull them. He did WARN that if you buy one still under warrenty be sure to follow exactly how the manual says to do it or you might void your warrenty.
Greetings,
We intend to use DW's '07 CRV as our Toad; we'll be flat towing it. I have a few questions regarding the odometer. I'm sure that as long as the wheels are rolling the odometer will be incrementing. Since the engine and other systems won't be used during the period when the CRV is being towed is there a practical and easy way to disengage the odometer? Do you consider it ethical to disengage the odometer when the engine/trans. aren't engaged? It would seem the only wear on the car would be to the tires and to a lesser extent the brakes, booth of which are easily replaced. Or am I missing something? Wouldn't allowing the odometer to increment while towing indicate more wear on the car than it actually has therefore decreasing the value? Probably a minor concern for an 8 yr. old vehicle with 70k miles. Any advice?
Another subject: I spoke to our local Honda dealer about installing a switch to disconnect the electrical so that when the CRV is being towed the battery won't drain down. They were dead set against that idea. They said the only 'right' way to do that is to remove the cables from both battery terminals and insulate and secure them to prevent contact with the battery terminals or the frame. I could understand removing one cable (the negative I assume). Seems like there should be a better, easier way.
Regards, Brad
Unless the engine is started, the odometer doesn't turn over. So you won't be putting miles on the odometer.
Barb
The odometer does not run while the CRV is towed. We towed a 2002 AWD CRV for over ten years, we know. Same with our 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, the odometer is electronic and only runs when the engine is on.
Roadmaster (and others) make fuse switches and Roadmaster's own video shows installation on a CRV - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivwzKk2X4nc. RV people often know more about this stuff than dealers.
If the key is pointed to the II (accessory) position the odometer won't increase. If you mistakenly move the key to the start position, (like I did...
), the OD will increment. At least that's the case on an '03,
Bill, Barb, Penny, Paul - Thanks for your responses. Makes you wonder why the Honda dealer didn't know that, they were adamant that as long as the wheels were turning the odometer was engaged.
Bill, thanks for the referral to Roadmaster for the kill switch. I find it odd and quite disappointing that a Honda dealer doesn't know the technical aspects of their product. I really appreciate all the knowledge you've shared with me. This jump to the RV lifestyle has so many things to master but you've certainly made our eventual transition easier. I'm sincerely grateful; I'm looking forward to running into you someday so I can thank you in person. Brad
Brad,
Just as a hypothetical question, how many times do you suppose that the dealer in question has ever been asked by someone about "towing 4-down?" If they don't know much about RV'ing, most salesmen, and sometimes others in a dealership, have no idea of what that is, let alone how their vehicle will work for being a toad.
I'm not trying to necessarily defend the dealership, but unless "someone" there goes to the mechanics or the manufacturer, they probably are "winging it" and covering their bases as per warranty issues.
Terry
Terry,
Excellent point. I wouldn't, and didn't, ask anyone in sales about any aspects of towing. I initially asked my service advisor, who I trust and has never steered me wrong in the past. His answers to the questions were those I reported. I wasn't quite sure he was right but I have little mechanical/automotive knowledge and couldn't really debate him. I asked him to consult with one of the master technicians for a second opinion. They brought out a mechanic from the service area and the parts department manager and we all had a brief pow-wow. Their answers were as I stated.
I've purchased 9 Hondas from this dealer (both new and used) since 1990, for DW, our children and, of course, yours truly. They have always treated me exceptionally well in terms of price, service, scheduling, courtesy, you name it - I wouldn't consider another dealer for my business. This particular incident hasn't affected my overall opinion of the dealer, they just happened to be wrong in this case - but they're still batting .995 in my opinion. I'll certainly let them know what I've been told by the good folks on this forum. I suspect that someday another customer will have the same or similar questions and now the dealer will know the right answers.
Regards, Brad
A newer Honda CR-V does not even need you to pull the ignition fuse. Hook up and put it in neutral and key to acc and off you go. Older Honda CR-V do recommend you pull the ignition fuse.
We learned all this from FulltimeRVing.com's facebook page after asking the exact same question. OOh and reconfirming with the Honda Salesman who had been there for 20 years and had sold them for RVer's wanting to pull them. He did WARN that if you buy one still under warrenty be sure to follow exactly how the manual says to do it or you might void your warrenty.
Wendy