Flat tow? We have a 2004 automatic civic that we would like to flat tow behind our motorhome. Is it possible and if so what is the procedure. I have checked the manual with the honda fit and wonder if it would work with the civic. Thank you, Rick Pryor

on a trailer
Caution - Do not flat tow any vehicle with an automatic transmission. Damage to the drive-train will result. If these vehicles require towing, make sure all drive wheels are OFF the ground.
http://www.fiatusaoflancaster.com/flat-tow.htm
https://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/rv_towing_vehicle_tips/
CAUTION!
Do not flat tow any vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain will result. If these
vehicles require towing, make sure all drive wheels are OFF the ground.
http://www.fiatia.com/fman-332.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbvejdzb1ZQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE6uwhVHu2I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1lneTCviA0

check with local transportation / road authority on requirements

Towing this vehicle will depend on the type of transfer case the vehicle is equipped with. I would suggest calling your dealer and asking them or a reputable transmission repair facility for their opinion to be on the safe side

Never Flat Tow any transaxle

Have the front wheels on a dolly

I won't comment any more ,I once owned a trans shop

Here's a link that you can use for your towing. The RV Forum Community

if at all possible tow it on a flat bed so that all wheels are off the ground, if this is not possible, tow it with the drive wheels off the ground, if its front wheel drive tow with front off the ground, if its rear wheel tow with rear off the ground, if none of these options are possible, dont pull the car further than 50 miles and try not to tow it faster than 40 mph as this can possible cause transmission problems

Hi,

Only the 4WD version is 'flat towable' - if yours is the front wheel drive version you will need a dolly as special equipment to prevent damage occuring to the transmission. Towing Auto vehicles is not really advisable in my opinion and unless it is specifically stated in the specification of the manufacturers handbook it is best avoided.

However you may want to check out this link which provides a list of towable pickups and SUVs that is updated each year. You can also find their list of towable vehicles from previous years there as well. These are vehicles that are factory approved by their manufacturers for towing behind a motorhome. Some vehicles such as the XL-7 require special procedures which must be followed, including speed and distance limitations.

For example, the 4WD version of the XL-7 requires special care to be taken every 200 miles in order to avoid the potential of transmission damage.

See link for more info


Hope this helps. Thanks for using FixYa.

Yes if a proper tow bar is afixed. Bumper may have to be notched to fold out of the way to drive the car when not being towed. Make sure to have car in neutral.

You can do it if you really wanted to. You'll need to make sure the steering wheel is secured and that the wheels are perfectly straight or you will wreck the front tires. You will be adding unneeded mileage onto the the car by having the front wheels turning. would be better and less costly overall to get trailer that you can put the front end up on.

If it is automatic the quick is a two wheeled tow dolly. Or if that is not desirable then a RV repair shop can recommend a towing package that will disengage the torque converter in the transmission. Either way is about 1K.

hi yes you can flat tow, but i dont know of any way of not recording the miles.