Towing is a convenient way of increasing the transport capacity of your vehicle. Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight your car can safely tow when pulling a trailer.
Vehicle manufacturers will usually state their cars’ towing capacities in the owner’s manual, and you should always follow suit. So, what is the Honda Fit towing capacity, if at all? And is there a way to increase this capacity? Let’s find out.
What’s the Honda Fit’s Towing Capacity?
According to the owner’s manual, the Honda Fit isn’t designed to tow anything. You can breach your warranty if you tow a trailer to your Honda Fit in the US.
However, the owner’s manual does mention that the maximum load capacity of the Fit is 850 lbs (385 kg). They specifically mention that this includes the weight of everything inside the car in addition to anything you’re towing in case you decide to do so.
Therefore, if your car is out of warranty anyway, or if you’re willing to take the risk, make sure what you tow is below 670 lbs (300 kg) if you’re driving alone with no cargo inside the car. Subtract an extra 175 lbs with each additional passenger and roughly 15 lbs for each piece of cargo.
Tips for Extra Safety When Towing
Since your Fit isn’t designed for towing, there are a few recommended tips you can follow to make sure your car stays in good condition and to ensure your safety.
1. Brakes
Your brakes are of prime importance when towing. Make sure your brake lights are functional on both your car and your trailer.
Also, have your brake pads and fluid checked by a professional. You need more stopping distance when towing, so make sure you drive slowly and have a solid braking system.
Additionally, we recommend that you use trailers that come with their braking systems. It may be tricky to synchronize both your car’s and the trailer’s brakes, but it’ll mean less stress on your vehicle’s braking system.
2. Cooling System Check
Your car will heat up as it generates the extra torque needed to pull all the weight. This means that your cooling system needs to be healthy.
Check the following before your trip:
- Radiator, its hoses, and cooling fluid
- Thermostat and its housing
- Cooling fan and its switch
- The water pump
3. Hitching Device and Safety Chains
You need to check your hitch ball, coupler, chains, and all related equipment before you start your trip. You also need to make sure your safety chains are properly crisscrossed and have enough slack to allow smooth turning.
Additionally, make sure each piece of equipment you use for towing is capable of pulling the load. Make sure your trailer’s weight is less than the lowest-rated device.
4. Tires
With your trailer, you now have 6 tires instead of 4. They all need to be checked for wear and tire bumps. Also, make sure they’re inflated to the correct air pressure.
This is usually 32 PSI for both the front and rear tires of your vehicle, and 60 PSI for the spare tire. As for the trailer tires and spare, check the trailer’s loading and tire pressure stickers.
5. Mirrors
Your mirrors are as important as your eyes when driving, and since you’re towing, your rearview may be blocked. We recommend you use mirror extensions when towing.
6. Fluids
You should follow the severe maintenance plan in the owner’s manual if you’re a regular tow-er. This means changing your engine oil and filter every 7500 miles or less. Also, get your transmission fluid checked regularly and replace it if necessary.
What Determines a Car’s Towing Capacity?
Your car’s towing capacity will depend on the following
1. Maximum Torque Output From Your Engine
The energy your car produces by burning fuel is translated into a mix of torque and speed. Torque is the force needed for your car to move and anything trailing behind it.
Torque and speed are opposites, so if you need more torque to climb a steep rod, for example, you should switch to a lower gear.
2. Traction Between Your Tires and the Ground
For successful towing, the torque that’s produced by your tires needs good traction with the road to pull your car forward.
This is why using good quality tires is important. Additionally, a 4-wheel-drive vehicle will tow much better than a 2-wheel-drive vehicle for the same reason.
3. The Structural Capability of Your Vehicle
Your car’s links, nuts, bolts, and other structural elements are all designed using specific materials and dimensions. They have a particular loading capacity and will break down if overloaded. The stronger these elements are, the more load they can handle.
Dangers of Improper Loading and Hitching
Loading your trailer improperly can result in several issues that will compromise your safety and the structural integrity of your vehicle. Below are the main dangers you should be wary of.
1. Overloading
If you go above the load limit, you put yourself and your vehicle in danger. You also will have an unpleasant driving experience. Overloading will mean more stress on your engine, brakes, and structural elements.
Additionally, you will need more time to accelerate, brake, and steer. This won’t be convenient in hazardous situations.
2. Sway
Sway is when your trailer swings to the sides after a change in lanes. It happens when you put most of the load on your trailer in its rear half. This can lead to whipping and cause accidents.
Avoid sway by loading at least 60% of your cargo in the front half of the trailer. Or look into using a trailer sway bar.
3. Trailer Separation
Your hitch may disintegrate at any point during the trip due to aging or an unexpected speed bump. This is why you need your safety chains to be properly attached and crisscrossed at all times.
Conclusion
Your Honda Fit may be able to safely tow small trailers, however, it isn’t recommended by the manufacturer and will breach your warranty.
If you do decide to tow a trailer to your fit, make sure you check your brakes, cooling system, hitching equipment, tires, mirrors, and fluids. This will ensure a safer trip and your car will stay healthier in the long run. You should avoid improperly loading your trailer at all costs.