Towable Honda Debuts
Honda has introduced a crossover SUV for the 2016 model year that is towable four wheels down behind a motorhome, according to its owners manual. The front-wheel-drive 2016 Honda HR-V with six-speed manual transmission is available now. The vehicle’s approximate curb weight is 2,888 pounds, and its length is 169.1 inches. Owners should consult the owners manual for specific towing instructions, which include not exceeding 65 mph.
This should come as good news to FMCA members who expressed disappointment when the 2015 Honda CR-V did not appear in Family Motor Coaching’s “Towables for 2015” guide, published in January. The 2015 CR-V is outfitted with a continuously variable transmission and therefore is not towable four wheels down behind a motorhome. As a result, the only Honda in FMC’s 2015 guide was the front-wheel-drive Fit with manual transmission.
Versions of the 2016 Honda HR-V with continuously variable transmission are available, but they are NOT towable four wheels down.
Before buying any vehicle to tow behind a motorhome, consult the owners manual to ensure it is suitable for four-wheels-down towing.
Tire Placement
Would you please provide a definitive answer to the question of tire placement on a motorhome? For the last 70 years, I have considered that a flat front tire would be more dangerous than a rear, whether on my bicycle or on four wheels.
Two years ago, in Florida, a tire was damaged on our 2006 Roadtrek and, because of their age, I decided to replace two tires. The dealer insisted that the better tires always should be mounted on the rear. In fact, a poster illustrated the effect of a flat rear tire: On a bend, the rear of the vehicle swings out and may sideswipe an approaching one, as we would expect. There was no illustration of the effect of a front flat. As we know, the front of the vehicle is likely to keep going straight, possibly causing a head-on collision or driving the vehicle right off the road.
I am now about to replace the second pair of tires, and this dealer prefers to put the new ones on the driving (rear) wheels. When a friend replaced two tires recently, the dealer actually refused to place the two new ones on the front, as requested, leaving my friend to switch them himself. I read your reply to Bill Goodmon (“Tech Talk,” February 2014, page 18) in which you advised putting two new tires on the front and moving the 1-year-olds to the rear axle. Surely we want the control wheels (front) to have the best protection. Which answer is correct?
Brian Neale, F309918
Cobourg, Ontario
The recommendation to place new tires on the rear comes from the car market. In general, such advice stems from a desire for better traction on wet roads. For the average car driver, it is better not to have the rear end swing out or “oversteer,” as this can cause a loss of control. For RVs with dual tires in the rear, I don’t see that as being as much of a problem as having a front tire failure. So for RV usage, I would suggest newer tires on the fronts.
Of course, this brings up the question of what to do with the other tires. You MUST match duals with an exact measurement of each tire, not published data. Measure the outside circumference. I would suggest that tires be replaced in pairs whenever possible; that is, two fronts at a time, and if replacing rears, do one side (pair of duals) at a time to be sure the outside circumference of the duals is properly matched on that side. For more about the importance of matching duals, visit www.rvtiresafety.com and click on Dual Tire.
Spartan Chassis Information
I am hoping you can help me find a manual or information on a Spartan chassis. I own a 2014 Entegra motorhome built on a Spartan MM chassis, and its two-year maintenance is due. I do all my own maintenance, and I like to use a manual for a guide, as this is my third diesel RV but first on a Spartan chassis. Spartan will not send me any information about their chassis, but they will email me or tell me anything I ask by phone. If I can find a source for a manual, I will buy one. Any help will be appreciated.
Charles Jacobs, F138660
Livingston, Texas
I am assuming that you have the owners manual that came with the vehicle but are looking for something more detailed? You might contact FMCA’s Spartan Chassis International Chapter, www.spartanfmca.com, and see whether chapter members know of any information sources. Also, Spartan offers owners training classes at the factory, including some that are Entegra-specific. The schedule is listed on the Spartanchassis.com website. An Internet search turned up a service manual for the front suspension system; it’s on the Spartan website at http://tinyurl.com/q5guxmb. I hope this will help.