Hi this is my first post I want to tow my new (2010) fit behind our motorhome I need tow bar base plate wiring and braking system if any on the forum has made this installation or has access to parts or service please let me know I live in eastern ontario tks

 

Hi! welcome to the forum.

I don't know if there are any other Fit tow cars in residence here. Most of us kinda look on them as motor homes.

Aren't tow bars awfully harsh on the car being towed?

Have you considered a tow dolly (something like this)? This should have the advantage of saving wear and tear on the Fit's front end and drive train.

Not sure about additional braking requirements. This one has brakes!

 

Car dolly would be a better choice for me.

 

thanks for your comments on dolly vs 4 down towing I have to keep the weight of the tow car as low as posible. I see some others on the site are towing 4 down I would like to hear about the equipment they are using.

 

My Fit's ('07) owners manual gives information about 4 down towing. It says

"With the front wheels on the ground,
do not tow the vehicle more than 50
miles (80 km), and keep the speed

below 35 mph (55 km/h)."

 

I think the advantages of not abusing the drive train, front end, and having simple surge brakes outweigh the -er- weight of the dolly (400lbs). Besides, we have your ip address and will report you to the SPCF (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Fits).

What is your towing capacity?

 

thanks spreadhead the 2010 can be towed 8 hours @65 mph following a 3 min. pre tow procedure I think honda tuned 09/10for this towed use. dave

 

steve 244 my towing capasity is about 3000 lbs. total I would like to have a little cargo capacity left over car weighs 2500 plus fuel etc. dolly 4/500 lbs. I will go over cap. dave

 

yeah, that's pretty tight. What do you have pulling it?

 

2010 fleetwood icon on the sprinter chassis

 

Sprinter as in the mercedes powered freightliner/chrysler chassis? those are way cool. Great mileage I understand.

I was educating myself a bit. It seems 4 down is the preferred way and Honda makes some of the easiest to tow cars. This website might be able to point you to a Canadian distributor. They have a lot of information on tow car braking systems. I had no idea.

Edit: you've got about 3,500 lbs towing capacity but that has to cover the weight of stuff carried in the motorhome (people too!). I'd definitely try to keep from pulling an extra 500lbs worth of dolly. Looks like you chose wisely.

edit edit: blue ox lists the 09 FIT baseplates. They should work on the 2010; I don't think there were any structural changes. They should be able to advise you.

 

thanks steve 244 great research I called blue ox they are going to try a2010 in the next few days they will not say that the 09 will fit so I will have to wait. the sprinter was chosen for the great mileage we had the mh made this falland took delivery dec. 182009 I took alittle drive to fla over the holiday and got about 18 mpg we had afew little warrenty issues done when we got back but overall we are very pleased. I felt the sprinter/fit would be agreat combo.dave

 

I am setting my '09 up for towing. I installed the Blue Ox towing bracket without too much difficulty. You have to remove the front clip, but it is just a few screws and pushpins. The clip is all plastic so it is light weight, and the Blue Ox directions were good. For breaking I have a Brake Buddy that sits on the floor in front of the driver's seat. It plugs into the power outlet to power the air compressor, and an inertia switch activates the brake arm. For brake lights I went with the Blue Ox light kit. It adds an independent light in the rear light housing. I still need to install the rear lights and run the cable forward, and install the break-away cable from the Brake Buddy forward as well. I haven't selected the best point to penetrate the firewall. I also want to add an extra power outlet, so I have power to the electronic notification system.

 

Hi bob k thanks for the info here in canada I am finding much higher prices for the tow equipment. I am very near New York I may have to go to camping world and have them install the system.

 

I bought everything off of eBay, so saved a bunch there. A dealer told me it would be $2000 to have them install, so I am doing it myself.

 

Honda or RV dealer? It doesn't look like more than 4 hours for a pro. I'd guess about $500 labor. Maybe a body shop would do it.

 

The estimate was from an RV dealer. I put the tow plate on in less than three hours, taking it exceptionally slow.

 

Hi how is 4 down towing working out for you? I have a 2009 also and am thinking of towing it behind our MH. Thanks!!