Honda CR-V/Pilot

[ploiselle]

I am investigating purchasing an older CR-V or possibly a Pilot. The car needs to be towable without much of a hassle.

Questions
Is there a way to program out the door locking system in the CR-V? I believe the passenger door stays locked until the car is in park.

I know that Draw-Tite makes a class 3 hitch for the CRV. Can the CRV handle a Thule tray 4 bicycle rack. The total weight would be approaching 200 pounds.

Does the Pilot have the same locking system and if so, can it be programmed out?

What is the real MPG for a Pilot?

Thank you for any help.
Paul

[GGoodsell]

I've had a 2010 CRV as main family car and toad behind motorhome for just over a year. Nice car, works very well as a toad and, according to P.86 in my owner's manual, the automatic door locks can be reprogrammed so they do not activate. There are five pages of instructions to reprogram the locks in a variety of ways.

[Robocop]

:S Had something to say but was on the wrong page!

[ploiselle]

Thanks Big Katuna.

[Big_Katuna]

You could have unlocked it with the manual button.
At any rate you can reprogram the CRV locks to behave the way you want

[ploiselle]

I was recently being dropped off in a borrowed CR-V and was unable to exit the vehicle. Neither of us knew that the vehicle had to be in park before the passenger door would unlock. .

I have no idea why anyone would want this feature as seems like it would be dangerous if the vehicle was in an accident and had to be in park before you could exit.

The ride did make me think that the CR-V would make a nice tow vehicle. I am still researching what vehicle would suit our needs. I have not driven either the CR-V or the Pilot, but hope to next week.

Thank you for the responses.
Paul

[Big_Katuna]

Turns out you can't reprogram the locks on my 2011 Element.
Spent 10 minutes out there tapping the brakes, etc
Oh well.

[ploiselle]

Again, thank you for the responses.

Paul

[Nomadac]

We have a 2004 Honda Pilot that we tow as a dinghy and a 2008 Pilot that we drive for pleasure. Our typical city mileage is 18 mpg and highway 24-26 mpg. Considering the curb wt. is 4400 lbs. and 4WD about average. Both of them ride fantastic. We liked our 2004 model so found a low mileage 2008 that was loaded and will last us forever. It takes me less than 10 min. to connect, to our MH. Our door locks are do not lock when towing, as the key is in the ignition trans in Neutral. I could lock the doors with another set of keys if I wanted but don't see the benefit. If I stop and not with the the MH, I lock the car if I am going to be away. Just follow all of Honda's procedures for towing and away you go. Simple and easy.

[Crazy_Ray]

AC on CR V is great.

[ploiselle]

Thank you.


Another question.

This vehicle will be in Southwest Florida for a good part of the year. How is the air-conditioning?

Paul

[Big_Katuna]

2005 was the last year Honda approved Pilot for towing. MPH is around 20, a little higher on trips. Nice ride.

Our 2007 CRV averaged 25 and would get 30 on the highway.

There are hitches with up to 350# rating, which is that generations max tongue weight.
I carried a 225 pound Vespa often no problems. Good car.

I traded it for a 2011 Element.

[F1bNorm]

Door locking is programmable. Owners manuals are online.

Norm