Last Updated on May 3, 2023 by Will Sabel
A trailer hitch is a device connecting your vehicle with the vehicle you tow. These are things you generally see behind RVs and Trucks. I’ve even seen people pairing them up with cars. Expensive ones at that. Take Honda CRV, for example.
Of course, you’d need to match the class, size, and hitch drop with your car’s receiver first. It’ll take you hours of research. Hence, finding the ideal product for your vehicle is understandably a hectic task at hand.
Don’t get me wrong! It’s not like you have subpar products or not enough alternatives. In fact, it’s the opposite! With so many options in the market, people tend to get confused.
Lack of knowledge about a hitch and its inner works worsens it. Finally, it requires a lot of time and research to even get close to your match made by the marketing gods.
Feeling the pain yet?
I am here to ease your suffering a bit. With my previous research and experience, I will share my picks on the best trailer hitch for Honda CR-V with you.
Now, I am not claiming that these are the “best of the best,” for that matter. All I am saying is that all selected products are qualified enough to fit your needs.
That’s not all! I’ll be spilling the beans on how I got my hands on these things. Take a look at my quote-unquote buying guide for a bit. Add to that, there’s a small but ever-growing FAQ section that satiates you with all the answers to nagging problems and issues. Let’s get to it then!
What Kind of Trailer Hitches do I need for My Honda CR-V?
Take my advice, look at the towing capacity of these things before selecting one for your beloved SUV. If your ride can only manage 1000 LBs of towing weight, you don’t need a trailer hitch that can pull up to 5000 pounds.
Secondly, you need to know why you need a trailer hitch exactly. For example, if your purpose is to tow a hitch-mounted bike carrier, you won’t need one that can pull a full-size boat for you.
Last but not least, look at the weight-carrying capacity of the product you choose. Based on the towing capacity, there are different trailer hitches on the market.
Generally, trailer or receiver hitches are divided into five classes: Class I to Class V. Where Class-I can pull the least and Class-V the highest weight.
Now, let’s get back to the question. Which kind of trailer hitches do you need for your Honda CR-V?
Class-I and Class-II trailer hitches are for smaller cars, crossover vehicles, and minivans. Because they have a lower towing capacity and do not fill the void of mid-heavy or heavy towing.
On the other hand, Class-IV and Class-V hitches are for pulling over 10,000 to 17,000 pounds. Mostly, full-size and commercial trucks use these two for towing heavy items.
Hence, the optimal solution will be to use Class-III trailer hitches for Honda CRV. Class-III hitches are perfect for your compact SUV. It can pull up to 3500 LBs – 8000 LBs, and our SUV can handle up to 1500 lbs of weight.
In terms of safety, this makes perfect sense. I will definitely choose a hitch with my vehicle’s maximum towing capacity three times. Some may tell you to go for a Class-II hitch considering Class-III is a bit overkill for the CRV.
But, let me tell you, choosing a lower “Class” hitch will surely disappoint you in the future. One of the reasons is that hitch accessories such as cargo carriers and bike racks are made for Class-III hitch. Therefore, they mostly fit perfectly on Class-III to upper-class hitches.
Looking at all the facts, it is clear that you need a Class-III trailer hitch for your Honda CR-V. So, let’s look at some of the best Class-III hitches on the market that will perfectly suit your cool SUV.
Top-Rated Trailer Hitches for Honda CRV – My Reviews
As I said earlier, you need a hitch according to your vehicle’s towing limit, your purpose, and the trailer hitch pull capacity.
Keeping these things in mind, I’ve chosen 5 trailer hitches to go with our vehicle of choice. All of them are Class-III hitches (since, you know… Class-III hitches are perfect for Honda CR-V). Let’s get into the reviews, shall we?
1. CURT Manufacturing 13119 Class 3 Trailer Hitch
Best Features:
- 2-inch Receiver
- Compatible with 5 Honda CR-V models
- J684 tested to ensure safety
- Gloss Black Powder coating to provide rust, chip, and UV resistance
CURT is a big player in the world of towing and hauling. The American manufacturer started its journey back in 1993 as a trailer ball distribution company. The trailer hitches we see now are the results of brilliant innovation and continuous limit testing of the company.
This little product will perfectly fit your memo. The 13119 Class 3 hitch fits perfectly with all the Honda CR-V models from 2012 to 2016.
The CURT 13119 is not as strong as some Draw-Tite models (more on them later). Still, this one packs a Gross Trailer Weight of 3500 lbs and a Tongue Weight of 350 lbs, which is pretty low but capable of pulling heavy items.
However, despite lacking tongue weight and gross trailer weight, the hitch provides adequate support to pull your cargo or attach your bike rack with your SUV.
Since this towing device is a Class 3 product, it comes with a 2-inch receiver.
As a result, you don’t have to worry about towing/hauling hitch-mounted accessories either. In other words, less tongue weight should not be a big deal when going out on day-to-day adventures. Finding “Kicks” in small things IS important, after all.
Now let’s look at the build. The Curt manufacturing hitch is made with carbon steel to ensure sufficient strength and safety.
The gloss black powder-coated exterior is enough to protect it from outside moisture, rust, and other harmful elements. In short, it is safe enough to say that the build quality is strong enough to pull your trailers.
Like any other product on my list, this one also comes with an easy installation system. According to its manufacturer, you don’t need extra tools to install this product. Simple home kits are enough.
The installation hardware and manual will be provided with the box. So, you can easily install it by yourself with the help of the manual. It should take an average of 90 minutes to put it in place properly.
Every Curt custom hitch is thoroughly tested by the manufacturer. 13119 is also a lab-tested product, and it’s SAE J684 rated as per safety guidelines.
For Laymen: SAE J684 is a safety standard for trailer hitches that ensures the product is safe enough to use in conjunction with all types of vehicles whose Gross Vehicle Weight Rating does not cross 10,000 LBs.
To sum it all up, yes, the Curt 13119 Class 3 trailer hitch isn’t “That” powerful or strong compared to other models on the market.
However, it’s strong and durable enough to be one of the best trailer hitches for the Honda CR-V within $200. It can be your towing device on your adventures, such as fishing, hunting, camping, etc.
2. Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Class III 76128
Best Features:
- Fits perfectly without any drilling or modifications
- Welded Steel Construction ensures top durability and strength
- Takes minimal time to install
- All necessary installation parts come with the box
Established in 1946, Draw-Tite is a renowned brand for custom-made trailer hitches. For five to six years, the Draw-Tite 76128 Class-III hitch has been a popular name among Honda CR-V owners.
Extreme durability, easy installation, and impressive strength are some of the interesting qualities. So I can understand why this thing is the “Go-To” product for Honda CR-V owners.
However, some people find it hard to install. Erm… People, you have manuals given to you by the manufacturers. Read them.
Now, let’s do an in-depth analysis to see why it is the perfect trailer hitch for Honda CR-V.
This little towing device weighs only 30 pounds. You won’t require any additional help to install it on the back of your SUV. Just get a portable car lifter. Trust me, it makes life a lot easier AND more convenient.
The hitch can pull up to 4500 LBs (Gross Trailer Weight), and the maximum tongue capacity is 675 lbs. As a result, you can easily pull your cargo carrier, bike rack, or other accessories with your vehicle.
Getting back to installation, you don’t need any modifications or drilling to set it up. The product fits perfectly, and the 2-inch receiver also ensures correct fitting with the towing items.
Furthermore, you will get all the hardware kits along with the product. And, of course… the manual we spoke of earlier. Great, isn’t it?
About the design, Draw-Tite uses gloss black coating and A-coat-based finishing on the hitch. This makes it look cool and funky from the outside and durable on the inside. Also, the black coating empowers the product to fight extreme weather conditions.
I’m not done yet!
The A-coat base exterior protects the hitch from rust, scratch, debris, and other hitch-quality threatening elements. This gives you the freedom to take your vehicle on the wildest adventures you have been planning for so long.
Speaking of adventures, the higher Tongue Weight of the tool lets you carry your bike racks, cargo carriers, etc., with you. In addition, the towing device is specially made to support hitch-mounted accessories according to its manufacturers.
As far as safety is concerned, Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Class III 76128 uses fully-welded steel in the making. As a result, it passed the fatigue stress test to guarantee the highest durability and strength.
Hook this baby up with your SUV, and you don’t have to worry about adding extra accessories for security.
Just a reminder: this specific hitch model fits perfectly only with Honda CR-V 2017 to 2020. If you have a hybrid-modeled vehicle such as CR-V EL-X, this hitch will not work.
The Draw-Tite 76128 is a strong, durable, and perfect towing device for your Honda CR-V. It’s lightweight, convenient, easy to use, and weatherproof as well. Did I mention affordable? Well, now you know!
3. Curt 13397 2″ Class 3 Trailer Hitch
Best Features:
- Compatible with modern CR-V models
- One of the best hitches at a reasonable price
- Powder Black Coating with J684-rated safety
- Easy installation
Curt 13397 is another Class-III trailer hitch with immense versatility and strength.
This thing belongs to the $200 club. It has a 4.6 rating (Out of 5) on Amazon and a 4.8 rating (out of 5) on Etrailer. Just imagine the popularity of this towing device among Honda CRV owners.
The tool is compatible with all the CR-V models from 2017 to 2022.
However, it’s not compatible with any Hybrid or Touring models. If you own basic CRV models (2017 to 2022) and you want a budget-friendly towing solution, this should be the ideal product to hunt down.
Moving forward, the trailer hitch has a similar Gross Trailer Weight identical to the 13119 model. That is 3500 lbs.
In terms of Tongue Weight, CURT 13397 is more impressive. It has a tongue weight of 525 lbs. It is higher than CURT 13119 or any other competitor in the price range.
Greater tongue weight capacity gives your hitch more pulling strength and safety. Since it is a Class 3 hitch, it has a 2-inch receiver that accepts any hitch accessory with a 2” x 2 shank. Cargo carriers, bike racks, or ATVs can be towed with this tool.
The build of 13397 is quite similar to the previous CURT hitch, 13119. Like the previous model, it is also constructed with carbon steel and finished with a Gloss Black Powder coating.
The coating offers ample protection from UV rays, rust, or chips. On the other hand, the super-strong carbon steel build ensures safety, strength, and durability.
The hitch comes with an easy installation system. The manufacturers claim that you can install it within 30 minutes by yourself. In addition, you can read the on-box installation booklet if you’re installing a trailer hitch for the first time.
However, I prefer to watch videos before installing a trailer hitch. For me, written manuals are not that helpful. So, if you are just like me, throw the manual away and watch YouTube videos for a breezy assembling session of 10 to 15 minutes.
This little product is fully lab-tested and ensures J684-rated safety for your towing and hauling. This is a ready-to-go towing hitch that you can completely trust. Looking at its reasonability, durability, strength, and design, it sure deserves mention for hitches for Honda CR-V.
4. CURT 13314 Class III Receiver
Best Features:
- Compatible with the older Honda CR-V models
- J684 rated safety
- Tough build with utmost durability
The CURT 13314 Class III receiver is the only trailer hitch on my list that is compatible with older Honda CR-V models. So, if you own a Honda CR-V model from 1997 to 2001, this hitch will be the best choice of product for you.
It is perfect for towing popup campers, small fishing boats, ATVs, utility trailers, etc. If you are a biker and you want to take your bikes with you, feel free to attach your vehicle to a bike rack with the help of this device.
Since it has a 2-inch receiver, most of the hitch gears will be a perfect fit.
Like any other CURT Class III trailer hitches, CURT 13314 is also engineered for specific Honda CRVs. This way, the tool offers the best possible performance.
Most importantly, it becomes easy to install. Thus, it is hard to find a single review on Amazon trashing the assembly process of this thing.
The tool features 350 LBs of tongue weight capacity and 3500 LBs of Gross Trailer Weight. The numbers might not look that impressive, but when you attach it to your Honda CR-V 1999, it performs like a bad boy who was asleep for no reason.
Aside from the GTW and TW capacity, CURT 13314 has too many similarities with the 13119. Both the two hitches are constructed with strong Carbon Steel. This thing provides enough protection and strength to the tool.
Both products are also coated with Gloss Black Powder and finished with an A-coat base on the interior and exterior. The black powder coating guarantees zero rust and IV ray protection.
I found some differences as well. For instance, the CURT 13119 has a “Slightly Rounded” frame. On the other hand, CURT 13314’s frame is straight as an arrow.
The other differentiator between the two models is that the first one is compatible with Honda CR-V from 2012 to 2016. Whereas this model is compatible with older models from 1997 to 2001.
Like all other CURT Class III trailer hitches, this one is also lab-tested and J684-rated. This means you can totally trust this towing device to trail something without hesitation. Furthermore, the product carries one year of warranty.
CURT 13314 comes at around 210 – 250 USDs which is higher than the other CURT models on my list. But the bright side is that this specific model gives you easy installation on older Honda CR-V vehicles. So, if you own an older CR-V, this is the best and right trailer hitch for you.
5. Draw-Tite 75742 Class 3 Trailer Hitch
Best Features:
- Class III hitch with a 2-inch receiver to tow cargo carriers, bike racks, etc.
- Weighs only 28 pounds
- Plenty tow capacity and tongue weight capacity
- Exceed V-5 and SAE J684 standard safety
- Rigid build with gloss black finish for attractive look
The last trailer hitch on my list is the Draw-Tite 75742 Class III. It is the second hitch that is from the Draw-Tite franchise. Like the other Draw-Tite hitch, this one also has the qualities to be the best Honda CR-V Hitch.
First, let’s talk about its strength and build quality. The Class III Draw-Tite hitch has a capacity of 4500 LBS in Gross Trailer Weight and 675 lbs of Tongue Weight capacity. These numbers refer to one thing, it has enough power to tow your trailer easily.
Furthermore, all the Class-III Draw-Tite trailer hitches are officially lab-tested. They exceed V-5 and SAE J684 standards. The 75742 Class III trailer hitch stands out in terms of security and durability.
The 2-inch receiver provides eminent fitting with every cargo carrier and accessory. Yes… you won’t get a ball mount or pin in the go-to box. However, you’ll have all the necessary installation hardware.
The custom-made trailer hitch packs a solid all-welded attractive construction. Also, it has an A-coat base with a black gloss finish. Steel construction contributes to the safety and durability of this device. On the other hand, the gloss finish insulates from rust, UV rays, and rough weather conditions.
The other Draw-Tite model on my list is compatible with CR-Vs from 2017 to 2020. On the contrary, this hitch is compatible with relatively older CR-Vs from 2012 to 2016.
The installation of this trailer hitch is easier than ever. Like all previous models, you don’t need any drilling or welding to attach it to your Honda CR-V. However, since this tow hitch fits your vehicle frame perfectly, it needs a few hours of your time for perfect installation.
If you’re new to installing hitches, you should remember not to fall for the “30/40-minute installation” claims from the manufacturers. It is nearly impossible for a rook to install a 30-Pound hitch in just 30 minutes. But the installation is indeed simple, and you can set it up by yourself.
Lastly, the Draw-Tite 75742 is backed by the company with a limited lifetime warranty and support. As a result, if something goes wrong after ordering the product, you can look up the manufacturer for help or a refund.
In conclusion, looking at all the features, the Draw-Tite 75742 hitch brings strength, durability, and style to your Honda CR-V. So, if you own a Honda CR-V and looking for a hitch to tow your trailer, you can give this Class III trailer hitch a shot.
Phew, it was a long talk, wasn’t it? This is the list of the 5 best trailer hitches for Honda CR-V, in my opinion. If you are a proud owner of the vehicle, you must give one of these a chance. You’ll be amazed, relieved, and pleased but not disappointed.
Now, let’s suppose you didn’t like any of the hitches from my list and still you want to buy one for your Honda CR-V. What to do? To help you buy a hitch, I am gonna give you some ideas. Formally, I will introduce you to factors that you or anyone must consider before purchasing a trailer hitch for their precious Honda CR-V.
An Important Accessory to Round Things Up!
You can’t tow a vehicle or hitch-mounted accessories with only a trailer hitch. Ball Mount, Wiring Harness, Hitch Lock, etc. are things you need to buy to smoothly tow your trailer. However, the most important item of all must be the wiring harness.
Simply speaking, a wiring harness allows your Honda CR-V to link with the electrical systems of your trailer. This way, you can use brake lights, taillight, and indicators from your vehicle. In terms of safety, a wiring harness is a must-buy. As it happens, I have just the thing for you!
CURT 56370 Vehicle-Side Custom 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness
You don’t need extra cutting and splicing to install the CURT 56370 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness. It is very much easy to install. You will have your own installation guides and the go-to box for help.
As the name suggests, it is a 4-way wiring harness to connect your vehicle with the trailer. I’ve been using this product for quite some time. I didn’t find any heating or quality issues. Additionally, it gives me a solid and consistent performance every time.
The CURT wiring harness is a vehicle-specific product. This means it is only compatible with selected Honda CR-V models. However, if you own a CR-V from 2017 to 2021, you will be able to use this hitch accessory.
There is a rubber dust cover that comes with the wiring too. It works as a protector between the wiring joints. So, all in all, spending another $45 on this product is worth every penny.
How Do You Choose Hitches for Honda CRV?
Let me be honest here. I am not going to make things difficult or complex just to sound like a know-it-all guy. However, selecting the perfect trailer hitch for your Honda CR-V is easy.
Though you have to consider some of the factors, it isn’t rocket science. I will give you the exact tips that I trace to this list.
Know Your Purpose
Why do I need a trailer hitch?
Which kind of trailer will I pull?
Do I need a hitch on a regular basis?
These are some of the most generic questions you need to ask yourself before buying a receiver hitch. Your hitch should be the one fulfilling your necessity.
For instance, you will need a low-end towing device if you want to tow compact trailers. On the other hand, if you’re going to test the maximum potential of your vehicle, you’ll need a high-end hitch with maximum towing capacity and receiver size.
It is always better to buy a receiver hitch with three times the towing capacity than your vehicle. So, I will always recommend you to buy a hitch with a maximum GTW of 4500 lbs.
Be a Hitch-cyclopedia
No, no, don’t get me wrong. I am not telling you to know about each and every hitch trailer out there. Just know about different hitch terms. Some of the necessary-to-know hitch terms are:
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): This is the maximum weight that the hitch can pull. The more GTW a hitch has, the more it can tow.
Tongue Weight (TW): Tongue Weight represents the maximum force the tongue can bear while towing a trailer.
Ball Mount: This part of the trailer hitch connects the vehicle you drive with your trailer. The ball mount is basically lowered onto the ball of the trailer.
Vehicle Tow Capacity: Vehicle Tow capacity represents the maximum weight your vehicle can pull. It is 1500 LBs for a Honda CR-V.
Types of Hitches: There are different types of hitches on the market. Ball hitch, Gooseneck hitch, bumper hitch, etc.
Receiver Size: The receiver is mainly a tube to attach the ball mount of the trailer or any other hitch accessories. The size of the receiver varies from hitch to hitch (mostly depending on Class).
Pin Size: Hitch pin locks your vehicle with the trailer for additional safety. Like the receiver, it comes in different sizes. So, you need to know the perfect pin size for your receiver hitch.
Proper Knowledge About Different Classes
| Hitch Class | Receiver Size | Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) | Tongue Weight (TW) |
| Class I | 1.25-inch | 2000 LBs | 200 LBs |
| Class II | 1.25-inch | 3500 LBs | 350 LBs |
| Class III | 2-inch | 8000 – 10000 LBs | 800 LBs |
| Class IV | 2-inch | 10000 – 12000 LBs | 1000 LBs |
| Class V | 2-inch | 12000 – 17000 LBs | 2400 LBs |
As you can see from the above table, Class I and Class II trailer hitches are compatible with 1.25-inch ball mounts. On the other hand, Class III, IV & V have 2-inch receivers.
When buying a hitch for my CRV, I asked myself, “Why do I need it?” The answer was pretty simple. I needed it to tow certain things. Bike racks in particular. After that, I started surfing the internet. My research taught me that most hitch accessories come with a 2-inch shank.
As you can imagine, I cut off any ties with Class-I and Class-II hitches.
Class-IV and Class-V hitches have the perfect receiver size of 2 inches. But, there was a problem. Both two types are made for pulling huge weights. My CR-V has a towing capacity of 1500 lbs. So, buying a hitch with 17,000 lbs of towing capacity doesn’t make sense.
Hence, I decided to go for a Class-III hitch. I won big on towing capacity! The capacity for these babies lies from 4500 lbs to 8000 lbs.
Having a good knowledge of “Hitch Class” can help you understand what you want and what you require. However, there’s a fine balance that you need to strike.
Find the One with Right Compatibility
Trailer hitches are made for “Chosen” models only. You simply can’t attach a random hitch to a random vehicle. Often, a single hitch does not fit two releases of the same model. Hence, no matter how great your receiver is; or what weight it can pull… if it doesn’t work, nothing really matters.
Since 1997, Honda has put out new CRVs every year. Therefore, if you buy a hitch compatible with 2012-2016 CR-V models, it will not fit other models. For this reason, it is important to find the exact trailer hitch that fits your vehicle.
If you own a Honda CR-V hybrid, you must consult with someone before installing a hitch. Generally, hybrid models are not for towing, but you can attach bike racks behind them.
Once you consider all the points above, I believe now you know what you want for your Honda CR-V. Of course, if you wish, you can also rent trailer hitches. But buying one is a cost-effective solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s natural to have questions picking your brains apart if you’re using trailer hitches for the first time. Especially with a Honda CRV. The following section is my humble attempt at answering some of your questions. I’ll update it if and when new problems present themselves.
Can I tow a small boat with my honda CR-V?
Yes, of course. Small fishing boats generally weigh around 400 – 500 lbs. The towing capacity of a Honda CR-V is 1500 lbs. You can easily tow a small boat with your Honda CR-V. It’s obvious.
Can I attach a bike rack on my Honda CR-V?
Yes, you can attach a bike rack to your Honda CR-V. All you need is a trailer hitch with a 2-inch receiver. Most of the bike racks have 2” x 2 shanks. So, to attach a bike rack to your vehicle, your trailer hitch must have a 2-inch receiver. Class-III, Class-IV, and Class-V hitches have 2-inch receivers.
Is it hard to install a trailer hitch on a Honda CR-V?
It is relatively easy to install these things on a Honda CR-V. There is an installation guide on the box for your help.
But if you don’t like to read, you can look it up on youtube. There are a lot of videos regarding installation and stuff. With the help of videos and guides, you can easily install a trailer hitch by yourself.
Why do I need to buy a wiring harness along with a trailer hitch?
You need to buy a wiring harness to connect your vehicle’s electrical system with the trailer. This accessory allows you to control your trailer’s lights and indicators without fuss. For absolute safety, you need to buy a wiring harness and a trailer hitch.
Can my Honda CR-V be flat towed?
Depending on your car’s model, it CAN be towed. You can flat-tow all the models from 1997 to 2014. But the new models from 2015 can’t be flat towed.
Wrapping it up
Having a trailer hitch is important (if not a must) for an SUV owner. From taking your bikes on a picnic to going mountain hiking, you’ll need a bike hitch for the job.
Making mistakes while choosing a hitch is only natural. I know! Often, people buy Class-II hitches for SUVs, then complain about it.
Finding the best trailer hitch for Honda CR-V is never an easy job. For the untrained, that is. That’s why I gave you a list of the best trailer hitches for Honda CRV.
All the products on my list are fully compatible with the CR-V. That’s not all! The hitches stand out in terms of quality, durability, and strength. Let me know which one you will pick for your CR-V.
