I just bought an '02 DX. Awesome gas mileage! I'd like to use it to tow my sailboat, which weighs 750# + the trailer maybe 350#. The manual says do not tow. But 1100# isn't much. Am I risking burning out the clutch, or blowing the engine, or anything, really? I'm envisioning short hauls--10 to 30 miles, planning to downshift on hills, baby the engine. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks

 

No way, 1100# is a lot when your car only weighs 2600# to begin with. You should be worried about braking, getting manhandled by the boat, the low tongue, and getting your subframe ripped out. Its a disaster waiting to happen.

 

If you just wanted to tow a sportbike or a jet ski, I'd say go for it.

But that boat is much heavier than those other "toys".

 

lmfao, if you do decide to do it.... take pictures of the aftermath and post them up here so if anyone else asks that question we can point them to your pictures.

but seriously.... dont do it. you're asking for trouble. ps- if you have a boat, why the hell don't you have a truck too?

 

OK, I've decided I'd be unwise to tow my 1100# boat/trailer with my DX. The posts I got here were useful, esp. the one suggfesting I post photos of the crash.
Why don't I have a truck?
Because I believe climate change really is happening, and it is caused by burning. Trucks burn a lot. My DX burns at about the same rate as a prius--I get close to 50 mpg on the highway. Plus there's that awesome VTEC power when I need it!
I'm starting to like this car , welll not as much, or nearly as much, as my Honda VFR (motorcycle).

 

I don't think you'd crash so much as rip the subframe out of the back of your car.

many guys I know have a truck that they rarely drive and really only use to tow their boat. Having a truck to tow your boat is kind of part of what owning a boat entails.

I dont know much about the tow ratings of the newer CRV's, but it might be something to look into if you want something that gets relatively good gas mileage while still (possibly) being able to pull your boat on the weekends.

 

you can buy a 4cyl truck and haul your boat. its not like the truck is going to be your daily driver.

 

you gotta pay to play

getting your 02DX flipped over is not worth saving the $1500 to buy a used bronco that can tow crap around when you need to.

 

These cars are not make to tow with. Buy a small truck or SUV.