20ish sheets of 1/2" ply and 30 2x4x8s transported 30 miles on the freeway.

I had just totaled my truck and bought a HFT 4x8 folding utility trailer to use with my '95 Accord Wagon. A few months later I got tired of how old my car was and bought a '15 Fit but kept my Wagon for occasional hauling. I've had the Fit for 3 years now and keep telling myself it can't tow, it can't tow, it can't tow! But now that I only drive my car once a week instead of 300+ miles a week, one of them needs to go. Especially now that my car tabs are going from $100 to over $200 a year with the newly passed ST3 tax.

Obviously I should get rid of the '95 wagon but I need a hauling vehicle and if I keep the Fit, it is a couple inches too short to fit 10' boards like my wagon can. I've started looking into why shouldn't I be able to tow with a '15 Fit. Many of you are going to ask, "are you crazy!?" and I my answer is, "no, I'm just smart."

Facts:
- '95 Accord Wagon (Auto) is rated to tow 1000 Lbs and has a tow connector in the spare tire compartment enforcing this ability. EU specs 3,300 Lbs with trailer brakes.
- '15 Fit is not rated to tow and has no tow connector. In EU, the current models of the Jazz are rated for 2,650Lbs with trailer brakes!!! The CVT and MT verson!
- In the '15 Fit, I have driven around with my 450 LB friend + 150LB friend (600LBs) in the back seats and have no issues what so ever and you can feel it.
- Towing under 1000Lbs with the '95 Wagon is no problem and easy to forget the trailer is there even on the freeway.

Specs:
- Both cars have the same HP rating.
- The Fit is 500 Lbs lighter (this does matter)
- The Fit has a 6" shorter wheel base (negligable)
- The Wagon has more weight in the front than the rear judging by the tire flex (this is actually bad for braking while towing IMO unless you add more tongue weight)
- Wagon (Auto) vs Fit (CVT) which is worse/better

Honestly they seem to have the same specs except for curb weight. so why shouldn't I be able to tow with my Fit if they can with the Jazz in Europe???

I've been somewhat swayed looking at the facts but I know the nay sayers are going to get their punches in.
Let the chaos begin>>>

 

Welp you wont get a no from me. I tow at least once a week with my 5x8 trailer. No plug and play connectors for trailer lights, have to splice into the harness, but ive towed up to 1800 pounds gross (trailer and cargo weight combined) without issue. Granted it is acceleration challenged, but it handles it well long as you know you dont have a V8, and dont ask the car do what it cant. Pics below. And plenty on my threads to mod out for towing.

 

So apparently there is a "plug n play" wiring harness now:
https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-...leid=201565365

The one for my wagon got semi fried the last time I towed when I shorted one of the wires on my trailer. The right turn signal isn't working. What happens with the splice-on wiring when this happens? Would anything get fried on the car other than a fuse? Is it recommended to go that route or should I get a plug n play harness? I'd like to keep it stock but I don't want to fry another $69 harness controller with my folding trailer's wiring death trap.

 

Hmm interesting, now they have splice connectors, but they connect outside of the car. Its snaked through the grommet where the tail lights connect. It is also a powered unit, so there is no risk of overloading the Fit's circuitry. This unit is far safer to install and is idiot proof. I spliced into my harness, but I soldered the wires rather than using scotch locks and splicers.

Keep in mind too this is a 4 way unit, if you want reverse lights and electric brakes, you need more wiring to get that part done

 

My 2016 Fit has a CVT transmission. I have a 100 pound square-back canoe on a modified Harbor Freight trailer that I would love to pull to a lake about 30 miles away. I am afraid to because of the CVT. Should I be?

 

Naw, not for something that light and small.

 

Yeah my policy has always been if you can put the weight in or on the car you can tow it without blinking. When I start going over that weight 600lbs+ is when I get concerned but according to the Eropean manual the Fit is good for over a ton with brakes. Half a ton is no problem without brakes.

 

yah, i dont know how much weight you guys are towing but brakes on the GK is very weak.. id be careful going too fast.

 

I have hauled up to 1800 pounds gross trailer and cargo combined. I also have electric brakes. No problem stopping at all.

 

Anyone else want to weigh in? I'm getting really serious about doing this.

 

the brakes are on the trailer itself? that's a good idea

 

Yessir. Electric drum brakes! Brake controller left of the steering wheel!

 

nice

 

Those of you that like to tow won't be happy with this commentary, but my feeling is always "Right Tool For The Job".

And come on? Let's be honest. The Honda Fit is a subcompact, 4 cylinder vehicle, it's not designed for towing.

Page 305 of my 2016 Honda Fit EX owners manual under the heading "Towing A Trailer" says: Your vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your warranties.

I take that as Honda pretty much saying...WRONG tool for the job.

 

Yes its a sub compact, and we are not towing lead weights here, its all light duty stuff. The fit in europe is sold as a towing vehicle, same drivetrain and power plant. Its USA regulations liability, and idiots who dont use common sense that ruin it for the rest.

 

I bought my Fit because of the gas mileage and cargo space.

It's my personal belief that Americans, for the most part, drive vehicles that are way too big and use too much fuel.

I would only tow my canoe 5 or 10 times per year. I'm just wanting to make sure it's ok with the CVT transmission. I have an old beater pick-up that I use for towing and hauling but I'd like to get rid of it.

 

honestly id use another car to tow things but with common sense i think it's doable for reasonable weight and cargo.
some folks are just born overly paranoid and blinded by their own fears missing out on life's opportunities.

i would be cautious about braking power.. emergency braking is nothing like just stomping on brakes when traffic slows down. your life and life of others depend on it.. taking that into consideration, take it slow and easy and im sure you'll be alright.

 

Being a 4 cylinder, subcompact, I doubt The Fit is sold anywhere AS a towing vehicle.
They might not include the same warning in the owners manual, but nobody looks at The Honda Fit or Honda Jazz and say's....Towing Vehicle.

It's just my personal philosophy. For the few times per year or more that I might need to tow or haul something, I can easily justify renting "The Proper Tool".

But hey, I had a neighbor that made a custom trailer for his Smart Car.

My feeling is there is probably NOT a vehicle anywhere that some people, haven't tried towing with.
Just for me?
Well...not worth it to me. Why risk voiding a warranty, undue stress to a transmission, or even simply on the road instability/safety?

I live in the USA, it's not like I'm not surrounded by vehicles that have been designed to pull tree stumps from the ground and tow huge chunks of concrete up the sides of mountains.

The Fit is IMO not that vehicle.

 

Fair enough. You are correct, the Fit is not the 'go-to' towing vehicle of choice, for anyone really. My needs (and budget) were that of an occasional towing for large items, but nothing overly heavy, and reasonably short distances. One car to do both towing and be my daily driver, cool by me. I used to have a pickup truck, but had to sell it due to financial hard times. The Fit had enough HP for what I needed, and its the best of both worlds. I had a custom trailer made, and suits my needs well. YMMV. I like showing on the forums that the Fit can tow, but obviously its no muscle car, or 6/8 cylinder with a heavy duty transmission. Bottom line, it depends on the persons needs, but it is feasible to use it as an occasional light duty towing tool. When the job calls for more, realize its not enough rig for the gig and rent the right tool.

 

My towing needs are very occasional and very light.
I'm just going to have to hook the canoe up to the back of the Fit and go for a test drive around the hood and see how it feels. If that works out then I can consider a trip to the lake.