Fit to tow a 4X8 trailer?

[jhoprodie5]

I am planning to move across states and plans to use my fit to tow a 4'X8' trailer (U-Haul). Has anyone done this?

This is my first time to tow so any advice on what is needed to be purchased (light connectors, hitch, etc.) would be helpful. Thanks.

[Kuturagi]

As far as I know, Honda does not approve any cars other then the odyssey and ridgeline (prolly the pilot and maybe crv) for towing. I think, and im not sure, that this may actually give you some warranty headaches. Also, I just don't think the axles and tranny are strong enough to be supporting a trailer anyways.

[TOOL]

Yeah im going to say i dont recommend it, but do think its possible.
Just alot of strain on the car, and as said above, probaly will give you warrenty headaches.

Tyler

[EXWRX]

In Europe they do tow with them. I don't honestly think it'll cause the Fit problems, but it could cause warranty headaches.

[mahout]

Originally Posted by jhoprodie5

I am planning to move across states and plans to use my fit to tow a 4'X8' trailer (U-Haul). Has anyone done this?

This is my first time to tow so any advice on what is needed to be purchased (light connectors, hitch, etc.) would be helpful. Thanks.

What you are suggesting is extremely dangerous.
My guess is the UHaul trailer empty weighs at least half as much as your Fit which means whatever you put in it is making your trailer tow you rather than the other way around. Given the wind resistance of an enclosed 4x8 trailer you will be at the mercy of everything else on the road. Attempts to get anywhere near interstate speeds is commiting suicide. Do not do this. I have a sneaking suspecion the UHaul people will refuse to hook you up ... and they are right.
Instead, rent a UHaul truck and put your Fit inside with whatever your carrying or tow it behind. You'll live longer.
PS in Europe they tow those little tent trailers with bike wheels.

[Kuturagi]

Originally Posted by mahout

Instead, rent a UHaul truck and put your Fit inside with whatever your carrying or tow it behind. You'll live longer.

LOL yep... well that does sound good and all, but I would just call some family or a friend who has a truck, and then consider renting the UHAUL truck. Living longer is key though. I mean, if you go, who's gonna take care of your fit?

[GAFIT]

I tow loads that are heavier than my tow vehicle on a regular basis. That being said...I would strongly advise against towing with the Fit.

Take a look at the GCWR on the door sill and that will tell you the absolute maximum weight the vehicles suspension and brakes can handle. From that weight, subtract the weight of the car, yourself and any passengers, anything inside the car etc. Whatever is left is the amount that you can tow. I'm guessing that the number will be zero.

[CptanPanic]

Search around there are lots of posts on this same subject. Overall it seems that due to liability reasons alone, honda says you can't tow with a fit. It seems that everywhere else in the world, the same car is rated to tow 450kg without brakes and 1000 with. So all you really need to tow with a fit, is a hitch and change the badge from Fit to Jazz.

Honda - Showroom - Jazz - Specifications

[07fitsport]

i wouldnt tow with the fit either with the small engine and tranny we have putting that much strain on everything and big safety issue of towing...

[Kuturagi]

Originally Posted by CptanPanic

Search around there are lots of posts on this same subject. Overall it seems that due to liability reasons alone, honda says you can't tow with a fit. It seems that everywhere else in the world, the same car is rated to tow 450kg without brakes and 1000 with. So all you really need to tow with a fit, is a hitch and change the badge from Fit to Jazz.

Honda - Showroom - Jazz - Specifications

In all honesty, if he takes his Honda Fit to a dealer with a hitch on it I am almost certain they will make note of it and when his tranny starts to have problems then he is out to pay big time. Honda will directly tell you DO NOT PUT A HITCH ON THE FIT. Best thing to do man, just ask your honda service manager at the nearest Honda dealer.

[kenchan]

also not sure if the Fit's braking capacity is enough.

[mahout]

Originally Posted by CptanPanic

Search around there are lots of posts on this same subject. Overall it seems that due to liability reasons alone, honda says you can't tow with a fit. It seems that everywhere else in the world, the same car is rated to tow 450kg without brakes and 1000 with. So all you really need to tow with a fit, is a hitch and change the badge from Fit to Jazz.

Honda - Showroom - Jazz - Specifications

Did you know 450 kg is 992 lb.

[mahout]

Originally Posted by GAFIT

I tow loads that are heavier than my tow vehicle on a regular basis. That being said...I would strongly advise against towing with the Fit.

Take a look at the GCWR on the door sill and that will tell you the absolute maximum weight the vehicles suspension and brakes can handle. From that weight, subtract the weight of the car, yourself and any passengers, anything inside the car etc. Whatever is left is the amount that you can tow. I'm guessing that the number will be zero.

So do I but its on my truck that is outfitted to do so. Don't encourage this guy. My Fit has airlifts rear and HD shocks and 4 wheel disc brakes and I would not tow my open 4x8 trailer just for hauling yard stuff. The chassis is just not that beefy.

[Tork]

I toe with my fit. I have a 5 foot wide trailer 10 feet long flat bed tilt bed aluminum about 350 lbs. I load my 580lb snowmobile and go from WI to the upper peninsula Michigan, on snowy icy roads thanks to my studded snowtires.

It works perfect, hard to tell I am pulling anything. That said, I wouldnt go more than 1200-1500 lbs carefully distributed for a 200 lb tongue weight.

I got the HiddenHitch from etrailer and their plug in wire harness. A fairly easy do it yourself install.

[jhoprodie5]

Thanks for all the advice. Well considering all the safety hazards might not push through with it. Will go to Uhaul though to get there advice on this. Thanks!

[CorrodesTheFilm]

You'll be fine towing up to 450kg (~990lbs) with the Fit. The only reason Honda of America does not condone towing is because of over-zealous lawyers in the U.S. The car can handle it just fine.

Looking at the U-Haul website, however, it appears that the empty weight of a 4x8 trailer is 850lbs. This leaves you with only 140lbs of cargo capacity. So unless you have <140lbs of whatever to move, I wouldn't do it.

Oh, and I don't see why U-Haul would have a problem hooking a 4x8 up to a Fit, as long as it has a hitch:

Your towing vehicle:

• Must be equipped with a hard top if it is an SUV. U-Haul does not allow any type of sport-utility vehicle not equipped with a hard top to tow U-Haul equipment.
• Must weigh at least 2,000 lbs. (curb weight)
• Must have Class 1 tow hitch (2,000 lb. 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"
• Must have external mirrors on both sides
• Must have fully operational lighting
• Trailer lighting must be operational at all times, day and night
• Maximum recommended speed is 45 MPH

Last time I checked, the Fit weighed ~2500lbs and had mirrors and lighting.

[spreadhead]

Have you talked to U-Haul? There is a pretty good chance that they will not rent you a trailer to pull with a Fit. Check with them before you go to the expense of a hitch. I rent U-Haul trailers often, they always look up my towing vehicle in their books before renting it to me. I would not tow a trailer with my Fit . I have a trailer hitch on my Fit, for a bicycle carrier, but no light hook-up (I checked with my dealers service manager before installing it). A light hook-up (or evidence of one being used at one time) would definately cause warrant issues if you had an engine or transmission failure.

[jhoprodie5]

Thanks for all the advice. Ill ask U-haul and see what they would recommend. Will keep you all posted. Very helpful.