bfraley
Active Member
With fuel prices increasing the Civic has become even more popular. A lot of people are getting rid of big trucks/SUVs in favor of the more economical Civic, however there is still a need to haul] stuff around. I am starting this thread because I'm one of those people. I have a 97 Civic hatch that I use as a commuter car. I drive 120 miles a day for my work commute. I also have a teardrop camper and a Thule 4x7 trailer. The question is not whether I can tow. I've been doing it for four years and it is very safe with my setup. Here is some data I pulled from an online source:
"I have been looking at Honda web sites in New Zealand, Germany, United Kingdom and Italy. All rate the tow capacity for the Honda civic at around 1200 kg, that is about 2500 lbs. UK caravan clubs(campers) say it's a great tow car. Only in the United States the civic is not rated for towing. Same car, same frame, same construction. Also, U-haul rates it for 2000 lbs with a class one hitch." Here is data to back up the claim:
Note: specs listed below are in Kilograms, multiply by 2.2 to get pounds.
Germany
Honda | Automobile | Home
Anhängelast gebremst, kg 1.200
United Kingdom
Honda Civic Type S | Book Test Drive | Specification, Finance & Information
Maximum towing weight with brakes (kg) 1200
Maximum towing weight without brakes (kg) 500
Italy
http://www.honda.it/car/media/pdf/In...ypeS_TypeR.pdf
Massa a secco/ Massa in ordine di marcia (kg) 1227/1317 1272/1366
New Zealand
Welcome to Honda New Zealand
Maximum warrantable towing weight (kg) 1200 (Man)
1000 (Auto)
And if you are worried about your brakes, think of this, at 65 mph it takes the same force to stop your civic as it does at 50 MPH with a 2000 lb trailer. Simple physics Force = 1/2Mass x Velocity squared.
"Just use common sense, secure your trailer properly, drive safely and give yourself plenty of room."
Four years ago I swapped a JDM B18b drivetrain into my Civic so I could tow my trailers and still have good fueleconomy and reliability. I put 140,000 miles on my swap in 4 years and have been towing the teardrop(1500/230) and Thule 4x7 trailer (1300/150 max load) as needed. I'm getting ready to drop in another JDM B18b motor and I would like to freshen the suspension as well. I currently have H&R OE springs and KYB GR2 shocks installed. I noticed the last year of towing was taking a toll on the rear springs. Everything is good with no load, but when the teardrop is hooked up the rear sits a bit lower than I would like. I am looking to install Airlift airsprings on the rear only and Bilstien HD struts on the front. I would like to get heavier springs to keep the rear level with a load but haven't been able to find any that do not lower the car. Lowering is not an option when towing. So, throwing this info out there to see if anyone has any input. I see more and more Civics with tow hitches on the road so I know others are doing it as well. If you tow with your Civic, please post your setups and details. Thanks!
"I have been looking at Honda web sites in New Zealand, Germany, United Kingdom and Italy. All rate the tow capacity for the Honda civic at around 1200 kg, that is about 2500 lbs. UK caravan clubs(campers) say it's a great tow car. Only in the United States the civic is not rated for towing. Same car, same frame, same construction. Also, U-haul rates it for 2000 lbs with a class one hitch." Here is data to back up the claim:
Note: specs listed below are in Kilograms, multiply by 2.2 to get pounds.
Germany
Honda | Automobile | Home
Anhängelast gebremst, kg 1.200
United Kingdom
Honda Civic Type S | Book Test Drive | Specification, Finance & Information
Maximum towing weight with brakes (kg) 1200
Maximum towing weight without brakes (kg) 500
Italy
http://www.honda.it/car/media/pdf/In...ypeS_TypeR.pdf
Massa a secco/ Massa in ordine di marcia (kg) 1227/1317 1272/1366
New Zealand
Welcome to Honda New Zealand
Maximum warrantable towing weight (kg) 1200 (Man)
1000 (Auto)
And if you are worried about your brakes, think of this, at 65 mph it takes the same force to stop your civic as it does at 50 MPH with a 2000 lb trailer. Simple physics Force = 1/2Mass x Velocity squared.
"Just use common sense, secure your trailer properly, drive safely and give yourself plenty of room."
Four years ago I swapped a JDM B18b drivetrain into my Civic so I could tow my trailers and still have good fueleconomy and reliability. I put 140,000 miles on my swap in 4 years and have been towing the teardrop(1500/230) and Thule 4x7 trailer (1300/150 max load) as needed. I'm getting ready to drop in another JDM B18b motor and I would like to freshen the suspension as well. I currently have H&R OE springs and KYB GR2 shocks installed. I noticed the last year of towing was taking a toll on the rear springs. Everything is good with no load, but when the teardrop is hooked up the rear sits a bit lower than I would like. I am looking to install Airlift airsprings on the rear only and Bilstien HD struts on the front. I would like to get heavier springs to keep the rear level with a load but haven't been able to find any that do not lower the car. Lowering is not an option when towing. So, throwing this info out there to see if anyone has any input. I see more and more Civics with tow hitches on the road so I know others are doing it as well. If you tow with your Civic, please post your setups and details. Thanks!
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