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Topic: CRV & DDT @ CW (Read 5 times) previous topic - next topic
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CRV & DDT @ CW
Yahoo Message Number: 50359
I just returned from Camping World (Henderson, NV) where they prepared me for towing our CRV.
BTW, the Honda manual spells out the procedure for towing.
It's detailed and absolutely can NOT be overlooked, but, yes, the CRV can be towed four on the floor.

Got a Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain tow bar (there is currently a VERY GOOD sale price at CW for this), the appropriate Roadmaster baseplate config for '98 CRV, the kit that ties it all together.

But let me back up...

After clearing the Service Dept. counter, the fun began. The first "Installer Guy" looked at the rear bumper of the LD and adamantly proclaimed: "You can't hook a tow bar up to this thing!" And he proceeded to demonstrate how it would be impossible... even though I repeated told him that many, many LDs have toads.
Didn't do any good. "Can't be done" was repeated over and over.
He then wanted to drill holes in the steel plate!!!!!

I called Steve Newton who basically said "Do NOT drill any holes!!! Read your manual!" So I did, showed it to the same guy, who still maintained it couldn't be done.

Even though at that point the CRV was on the rack  getting prepped for the base plate, I went into the Service Desk to cancel the whole thing. At which point the Service Manager was called over. He looked at the LD Manual and said "No problem!" And so another Installer Guy was given the job, and he did a superb job... explaining everything to me as I stood by his side (even though my presence was against regulations in the shop).
There is one small adaptation that does have to be made: an extension of the safety chain. It is not a big deal.

Then... as I mentioned two days ago, my intent had been to have the UltraGuard installed as a flying stone dent protector.
First off, it requires an angled steel bar as an installation accessory, and this morning CW discovered that they didn't have any (contrary to what they had told me last night).
Then, yet again, Installer Guy #One says: "You can't put one of those on here. No place to mount the steel bar." Great, I'm thinking, here we go again. Let's just forget it.
He doesn't mention an alternative solution, but I notice a Guardian on the car next to me in the parking lot and ask, "What about something like that?" "Yeah. We can do that!" Doh....
 So I ended up getting the Guardian as my "DDT" (dinghy-dings-thingy).
It's actually a better solution anyway... albeit a much more expensive one.  I also got the rack that allows one to move the Guardian to the back of the LD when you take it off the toad when you unhook the two vehicles.
 Throughout all this, it was Linley (on cell phone) who was digitally "holding my hand" through it all... assuring me that, yes, this will work.

Now... I have to learn how to do & undo all this. Of course they showed me at CW, but as tired and as drained from the stress as I was, I don't think much of it registered. I towed the combo home, and tomorrow will assemble & disassemble repeatedly until I get it.
(Reminds me of M1 practice in Basic Training!)
 The last step in the process will be driving to ALB, NM in two weeks to have Sarah's friend, Mike Sylvester, install the U.S. Gear Unified tow brake system. In this case, I have high expections and don't envision any further problems.

- David