Towing Report - Honda Element/16 Angler

[Da Nag]

I just towed a 16 Angler from San Diego to the SF Bay Area with my Honda Element - 2010 AWD w/auto. My personal opinion - the car is easily up to the task, but if doing it regularly I'd invest in surge brakes.



First off, a disclaimer - in the US, the Honda Element is rated at 1500 lbs. max, with a 150 lb. tongue weight max. This load is likely slightly over that - I've estimated by 100-200 pounds, in my case. Yes, I'm well aware of all the arguments...warranty, liability, etc. So, if this is enough to stop you from considering this, just stop reading now. Otherwise...read on for my rationalization.

At the risk of stating the obvious...each 16 is going to be different, depending on many factors - so don't take my weight estimate as anything other than a single data point. Basically, I used the factory published weight ratings for the hull, engine and trailer, 50 lbs. for the battery, and another 80 lbs. for fuel. No gear on board the boat.

RE the max Honda tow rating of 1500 pounds - it's interesting to note, that this is only in the US. When sold elsewhere, the identical vehicle is dual rated - depending on trailer brakes. 1500 without, 3500 with.

The leading theory for this different rating for identical vehicles - trailer brake laws in non-US countries don't vary as they do in the US, where different state laws apply. For safety's sake, Honda has likely determined that towing over 1500 lbs. necessitates trailer brakes - something that is enforced by law in countries with the higher ratings.

Regardless, it's obvious after towing the boat there is no power or stability concern - and with trailer brakes, it could tow even more. Suspension is certainly up to the task, with ride being near normal - and as can be seen above, there is minimal sag from the tongue weight. Perhaps 1-2 inches.

I had zero problem holding freeway speeds. Even heading up the Grapevine from LA, the car easily held 55MPH at roughly half throttle. Brief acceleration to 70 when passing slow trucks on I-5, was brisk and uneventful. Some excessive hunting of gears in the transmission occurred when heading through hilly areas, but that was easily resolved by disengaging the overdrive. Mileage certainly took a hit, but not terribly so. Typical for me on this vehicle is 24-25MPG. With the cruise set at 62MPH, I was getting over 18MPG on relatively flat terrain.

RE the brakes - with this load slightly over maximum, you could certainly tell the boat was back there. Still, I tried a couple heavy stops under controlled conditions, and didn't notice any signs of the boat pushing the vehicle around. Everything was easily controllable, it just took slightly longer than is typical unloaded. Still, were I planning on using this towing combination routinely, surge brakes would certainly provide some additional peace of mind.

[Aurelia]

Thanks for the info. I love it when folks have the courage to do some towing without resorting to overkill trucks. I currently do some towing with a small Hyundai wagon and it does a great job with a light trailer. I have watched the towing ratings inside and outside our country for many years and always noted the much higher rating as soon as you cross political boundaries. Many vehicles such as my Suzuki SX4 are not even rated to tow anything in the US, but the same car in another country will tow a small travel trailer with no issues. The best excuses I have been able to collect over the years relate mainly to liability worries and the braking requirements you mentioned but mostly warranty coverage. US warranties are very long compared to most and lowering or eliminating towing ratings is an easy way to lessen the wear on a vehicle and potentially save money in claims. What man would tow anything without a V8?

This one.

You have the element, Have you seen this option?

http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/camper.htm

[dotnmarty]

[Da Nag]

Marty beat me to the punch...I'm familiar with the conversion, but unlike Marty haven't seen one in person. I've heard nothing but good from those who have had it done.

It's an intriguing option, but for us - probably wouldn't work. When road trips are the plan, we've typically got our three dogs with us - which takes up almost the entire back area of the Element, with the rear seats removed. As such, that leaves only one place for all of our travel stuff - in a large cargo box, attached to the roof rack. Technically, you can still use a cargo box on top of the eCamper - but we'd have to remove/unload the cargo box contents prior to raising it.

And lastly - height issues. With just the conversion, the added height isn't a whole bunch - around 4-5" as I recall, which wouldn't affect most people. However, I had a beefy custom roof rack built that gets used routinely - and it's permanently installed, adding another 5" or so. The lighter weight/removable Thule racks are not an option for me; they have insufficient load capacities for my needs. If I added the custom rack to the conversion, the vehicle would no longer fit in my garage, and it would be very close to the height limit in some public parking garages.

For those who have room to store their stuff in the "dog area" of the Element and/or can live without a permanent roof rack, the ECamper makes a lot of sense.

[thataway]

By Calif. law, if the trailer and load are over 1500 lbs you must have trailer brakes. You admit that the load is over 1500 lbs. Do not take a chance! It may "seem" as if you have adequate braking--but you do not with that combination.

[Da Nag]

[westward]

Thanks for the report, Bill. Interestingly enough our return to C-Dory ownership will most likely be in a used 16 Angler, and I've been wondering if our Honda CRV (mechanically identical to the Element) could pull it occasionally. I now have my answer! Honda's 2.4 I VTEC is a gem of an engine, so my main concern would be the tranny. Tons of quality used 16 Anglers are appearing and now this...are the stars aligning? Regards, Mike.

[16Pounder]

When I bought my used 16' Angler it came with a trailer with no brakes. I planned to pull it with a Ford Ranger that was rated at about 3,000 pounds and being conservative when it comes to towing, I bought a new trailer with brakes for it. It wasn't required by Washington State law but I liked the factor of safety when towing on longer trips especially when I had the truck loaded with camping gear.
On my third fishing trip to Vancouver Island with the truck loaded and my little (300#) brother sitting next to me every thing was looking great. On a two lane stretch of highway I came around a curve and started down a hill that bottomed out and then went back up hill. Going a little less than the speed limit, about 55-60mph. Immediately after starting down the slope we realized that an empty logging truck was passing another car and a semi and he was barreling down the hill on the far side of the dip in the road, in my lane. He attempted to brake but his back tires started smoking and his empty trailer began to jackknife. This is with a car and another semi coming at me in the opposite lane as well. Most of the shoulder was a very large ditch but there was one small wide spot. Laying on the brakes I was able to pull over as the logging truck went flying by inches from me. If I had been pulling a trailer without brakes, I doubt if I would be writing this. That was the only time I really needed the brakes but it was enough. So my recommendation is get the brakes. If not for yourself, then for the person riding with you.

Al

[dotnmarty]

[Chester]

[Kent Richmond]

We had an Element and liked it, but wanted a little more towability, while not wanting the monster truck, Bought a Honda Ridgeline, and absolutely love it. It's rated for 5,000 pounds. We tow our 19' travel trailer (3500-4000 lbs), my power boat, and my wife's small sailboat with it. I haven't had anything that worked so well for us in so many different configurations.
Kent

[lloyds]

I used to tow my 16' cruiser with a small toyota 4-wheel drive 4 cylinder. A little sluggish on the long, slow hills like over a pass, but acceptable. Where it had a slight problem was with hitting the brakes in a panic situation coming down the same pass on a corner. Straights were no problem, but on a corner with a light vehicle coming down a steep hill was a little troubling.

[Anita Marie]

Bill, I guess the Ford wasn't up to the task, what's next, a Ridgeline?

[jennykatz]

The 16 angler weighs 875lb eng about 250 batteries and stuff100lb and trailer 500lb all estimates so maybe your boat weighs 1700lb but I would weigh the boat just to see then add disc brakes and be legal and safe .

I think the 2.4 honda motor and transmission are up to the task I would put a tranny cooler on for sure and maybe switch to synthetic oil for your engine .2.4

[16Pounder]

One thing most people don't realize is that tow ratings are limited by the gross combined vehicle weight limit which is usually posted on the door of the vehicle. Putting weight (people, gear, etc.) in the vehicle generally reduces the legal weight of the towed vehicle by an equivalent amount. I believe these ratings are based on safety in stopping, not how fast you can accelerate. Manufacturers like to advertise the maximum towing rate possible under ideal conditions with little or no additional weight in the vehicle other than the driver. If you are towing at the limit or more than the rated weight it would be advisable to pay attention to the amount of stopping room in front of you and not follow the vehicle in front of you to closely.

Al