Can You Tow a Trailer with a HONDA FIT??? (Fun April 1st video! Recorded in 2021.)

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#HondaFit #Towing #Trailer #Manual #Transmission
Thought this would be a fun April 1st video for you guys! It's more of a community video that I figured you guys might enjoy.
In this video we haul a 6x12 enclosed trailer using a 2008 Honda Fit Sport with a manual transmission. Tag along for the ride from Nebraska to Minnesota and I'll let you know my thoughts along the way!
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[@adamrock82]

For everyone crying about his vehicle not being able to tow that trailer please understand that the U.S. is well known for stating in car manuals that the vehicles are not recommended for towing and this is 100% based on car companies wanting to sell larger vehicles like SUVs or truck's versus more people buying smaller cars and actually saving money long term on fuel and other costs. I have personally witnessed this exact same situation on many different identical vehicles where in the U.S. manual it says towing is not recommended but in Europe the same car is rated for one ton or 2,000 pounds! I tow a Kendon motorcycle trailer with anything from two motorcycles to a hunting quad to a golf cart behind my 2016 VW Golf Sportwagen 5speed manual frequently and have zero issues! Like he said, just slow your speed down to 55 like you are supposed to when towing and take it easy. When I NEED to tow something heavier I use my F150 as I'm sure he uses his Superduty. The point of this video imo is that many small vehicle's CAN safely tow a trailer "when necessary" as he stated given the right conditions and under slower speeds! Great video, I will subscribe and might just be inspired to post a video on my channel of me towing with my Golf!

[@jae427]

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[@jimh.5286]

In 1979 we towed our new 2,500 lb. boat home, 400 miles, with our Datsun 510. 100 hp, 1600cc engine, manual transmission. Slow, but no disasters.

[@jae427]

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[@Paul-hl5ls]

I was always impressed by what I could get into the Fit including half sheets of plywood

[@jae427]

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[@jacksak]

Yes, I hopr you do more of these type videos. They are very enjoyable.

[@jae427]

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[@condor5635]

Great video and family Ben!

[@jae427]

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[@rickcross7888]

The Chibiden gas price.. LOL 😂😅.... I already subscribed to your channel because I'm in the process of wiring my cabin in Northern Minnesota... But that comment would have made me instantly subscribe....❤

[@jae427]

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[@BlackRedsPlaneSpottingChannel]

This is silly, but awesome!!!

[@travishall67]

Nice. I towed a Harbor Freight trailer with a 2002 Yamaha Warrior on it about 6 hours into the NC mountains (Tail Of The Dragon) using a 2000 Honda Civic with a 5-speed manual back around 20 years ago. The trailer was maybe 300 pounds and the bike was about 650. Maybe half the load you were pulling. I got a lot of stares over that. I'm sure you did, too. 👍🍻

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Haha exactly! Gotta get those "once I" stories somehow!

[@greylynnjr]

Good info bro. I own and love a honda fit aria 4wd. Also known as city in Thailand. Mine is cvt but I always wanted to put a towbar( southern hemisphere labeling) on my car.

[@carabela125]

I tow the same trailer with a 4 cylinder automatic. Make sure the trailer tires are at the max recommended psi. Going up hill, I turn on the heater and open the windows so it helps cool the radiator which also has the trans cooler in it. Gas in CA is over $5.

[@handstwister]

It’s the braking power and the handling at highway speeds that matter.

[@kthwkr]

@@handstwister Not burning up the motor and transmission is pretty important.

[@handstwister]

@@kthwkr most definitely I can’t even fathom crossing a mountain with that car pulling that trailer going up it in low gear and down it burning up the brakes, if it even lasted the climb with those RPM’s wrapping out. It being a manual transmission is the only reason he even had a chance. Wonder how long the trip took and what his average speed was?

[@Burlehmangus]

@@handstwisterthe automatic fit sports have a tiptronic paddle shift. Works fine for towing.

[@GeekFreeek]

@@Burlehmanguswhat does that mean exactly? I have a 2010 automatic sport and I really want to hope it can pull a small Coleman pop up camper in southern Colorado 😭 please tell me if I’m delusional with this idea

[@nicholasnarcowich9163]

I deliver for FedEx ground 4 days a week, & offer safety training another 2 days a week - I need at least one day to rest & reset from the week - but, when slow, I do, some Doordash with my wife. It has given her a grater respect for the challenges delivery people face in finding pickups & drops. Google does NOT have all the vectors, So finding places along the way can be a challenge, & with a trailer you guys are going up hill. Thank you for your videos :-)

[@jae427]

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[@JCWise-sf9ww]

Wow! You can even tow something with a Honda Fit. I would have bought a new Honda Fit, but the car dealership would not give us a fair trade price on the Ford van I had. Meantime we bought a Chev Impala then, now we own two Honda vehicles a CRV and an Accord.

[@lithiumike]

Gotta work with what you've got sometimes! Was a good day to post. I kept looking for anything indicating it was an April fool's joke. 😂

[@jae427]

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[@m.g.540]

You are good with a stick shift, it can be controlled better than a slushbox and wont overheat, taking your time will pay off, done a lot of towing with small vehicles and never had one fail, the bigger vehicles tend to lull drivers into complacency when towing by going over the rated speed for trailer tires and they overheat and then fail quickly, smaller vehicles tend to get closer attention when towing.

[@jae427]

Hit me up👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@RobertKohut]

Not sure but the title could've been "Safe towing, healthy meals".... LOL 🙂

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

That would be perfect.

[@nieldcreek2098]

Towing without mirrors ( that don’t stick out far enough) is illegal. But nice drive with the kids. - on a side note, I can’t believe how green it is there this time of year. Everything where we live is just barely starting to get green buds on it.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Was filmed in June. We've still got 3 feet of snow right now!

[@FPBC14]

Hey there! Much enjoyed your electrical videos. i see that you frequently mention that in a sub panel the ground and the neutral are seperate. I think both my panels were wired like i have two main panels. Having some electric issues and have used your resources to determine that my main breaker in the sub panel is only putting out 120 V only. Can't say when it was done but it most likely in the 1990's. How often have you seen the wiriering as i've explained and should i switch out the Main breaker in the sub panel?

[@jae427]

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[@TheLee1947]

Good video.......what happened to your brother Rubins videos. I enjoyed watching his videos too

[@jae427]

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[@smartwatchonpluto]

the reason the US fits don't tow is because of premature wear issues, it's not such a factor over seas because of the speeds but MAINLY the amount of driving done in the US vs overseas

[@youngmo77]

Considering we are talking about a well respected Japanese brand, known to miles, could you provide a manufacturer's written statement corroborating yours. Kindly. Miles are miles, weather in Europe or US 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@ShortArmStrongArm]

I’m still sold on my VW Golf. Neat car, tho.

[@ShortArmStrongArm]

CJAA diesel…

[@michaelserres3604]

Tesla M3 is not recommended for towing in NA but is in Europe. Wish they would let me put on a receiver so I could get a bike rack on it. 3:31

[@orangecookie3132]

In na they do that to force Americans to think they need a suv or a truck

[@ajjohn8729]

You can put a hitch on it. It's fairly easy with a kit

[@gain4allnews451]

Gas is 3.50 in western nc bro, I have a 08 fit sport and I have been wanting to put a hitch on it for a long time! Mine is auto with paddle shifters, so I should be fine I hope! Keep up The great work brother stay safe and strong with God!

[@FishFind3000]

Regular is $3.70 here and prem is $4.40

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

The Fit is seriously awesome! Haha

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Gas is $3.30 or so here in SWMN now.

[@Garth2011]

With an automatic transmission, you want to change the fluid every 30k and the filter. With automatics, you don't need to worry about draining the torque converter or flushing them as the new fluid will have a nice blend of friction modifiers with the old as to not "shock" the friction plates with 100% new fluid. Word is, do not flush them, simply pull the pan and replace filter and cork gasket then refill. But...its important to change the fluid more often than any service manual says to. Fluid is cheap...changing it more often is nothing compared to a transmission repair. Transmission coolers are also a good idea if there will be a tow vehicle now and then.

[@jae427]

Hit me up👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ajjohn8729]

You don't pull the pan on a Honda fit. that would require removal of the engine. Honda specifically states a drain and fill is what is required. There is a drain plug in the bottom that will get most metal flakes out.

[@Garth2011]

@@ajjohn8729That is what I said but if a vehicle has a drain plug, use it. 95% of pans do not have a drain plug, the pan has to come off.

[@DeansofNomadica]

Man O Man! Benjamin, your a smart guy on most things except for a couple I've seen you do. Ain't no way I'd tow anything especially that trailer with a Honda Fit.... and especially with kids in the car. Secondly, kids riding wild on Go-Karts WITHOUT HELMETS! If the manual in the USA sold Honda says, DO NOT TOW TRAILERS! Do you honestly think that your auto insurance company will cover your losses because of an accident whether it be your fault ot not? Warnings are posted in various places and in various ways because they are DANGEROUS, Dude Dad!

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Points well taken. 👍

[@markusantonio4866]

Is it bad on transaxles. Front wheel drive

[@DeansofNomadica]

@@markusantonio4866 Markus, it's not that it's bad on the Trans axles because that's the least of the worries. I have many years experience as a professional driver. And the things I know and things I've seen is too lengthy to discuss. The biggest factors for what Benjamin or anyone else attempting to tow with small cars, with small tires and with suspensions and with having the structural integrity to withstand the loads. The wind is unpredictable both from mother nature and the wind and drafts created by tractor trailers passing a small vehicle towing a loaded or unloaded trailer. It is very dangerous situation, VERY!

[@ottoroth9377]

Ben....the Honda suspension is nit heavy enough to tow that trailer!

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

I'm sure you're probably correct! Was a one-time thing that I won't be repeating. Haha

[@Negovan_]

Nice video ☺️🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@jae427]

Hit me up👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@carlosportilla7634]

OMG😅

[@Garth2011]

Gas in CA is $4.50/gallon April 1, 2023. It needs to go down to 50 cents a gallon and stay there.

[@surferdude642]

I'm in NorCal and $4.50 is a good price right now, I'm see alot of $5.00 and that's regular low octane gas.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

$3.30 around here currently.

[@larrytheplumber9851]

😂

[@Basard100]

my fit's radio did the same thing.... and the shifter knob also shed it's foreskin

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

😆

[@gregturney9591]

It's not the point that it could tow it or not, the biggest thing is stopping and swaying going down the highway or down a steep hill. It's his family's life he putting at risk.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Thankfully hills basically don't exist between Nebraska and Minnesota.

[@ShortArmStrongArm]

It’s same weigh as empty..

[@stans5270]

My wife tried to get me to ditch my Tundra, to buy a Tesla. I replied, how will we tow our boat to the lake? She asked if her Honda Civic would tow it. I laughed.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

I'm sure it could! At least a few times anyway...

[@philtheheaterguy951]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂

[@nieldcreek2098]

It could probably tow it to the bottom of the lake😉

[@busnorth]

The problems towing with a small vehicle is seeing behind your car and burning out the cluch. Towing in the hills is a joke. The trailer whats to steer the car. I pulled an 19 ft cabin boat, 3,800 from summer set Wisconsin to summer set south dakota with a f150 300 six 5 speed, towing not recommended by ford, that froze up like a popsicle adding more weight. I could see just fine other then the ice on the mirrors [now heated]. But wouldn't never again use that pickup for towing.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Yup.

[@gabakusa]

measure 0 to 60

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

0 to 60 = NEVER

[@Joshtheloserking]

So is this an April fools prank?

[@ajjohn8729]

Nope, perfectly legal and capable. Honda states the vehicle has a 2000lbs tow rating at a 200lb tongue weight. That's per Honda on their spec sheet. Their American manual says don't tow but their European manual says it can tow. Honda in the USA will also install a hitch kit which is dealer installed and they give you a new towing manual

[@frankpettinato2324]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@jae427]

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[@JenniferTomase-iy2vo]

I

[@dosiodosev740]

I hope that isn't April fool

[@jae427]

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[@ajjohn8729]

It's not. It's legal and fine

[@philtheheaterguy951]

That vehicle is not rated for that tow load. I’m sure the State Troopers will explain it to you.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Pretty sure it's not illegal. Do you know the specifics of why it wouldn't be?

[@busnorth]

@@BenjaminSahlstrom can't see around the trailer. Can't stop the trailer properly. Trailer swaying could've been a problem.

[@philtheheaterguy951]

@@BenjaminSahlstrom 😂😂😂😂😂

[@kevink4914]

2200 pounds is the tow rate with that vehicle

[@ajjohn8729]

It's not illegal to tow haha. Too many people want the government to boot the throat of anyone these days

[@warrengauthier4699]

Ridiculous. You can kiss the clutch goodbye. That car should tow NOTHING.

[@ajjohn8729]

That's not true. Im a Honda tech and 'm staring at the fit tow rating on our tech specs. It's 2000 lbs at 200lbs tongue weight with our Honda provided class 1 kit. It's a dealer install but you can buy a class 1 hitch from curt for like 200

[@warrengauthier4699]

@ajjohn8729 : Honda claims it can tow 2000lbs? I find this hard to believe considering 4cylinder engines are typically no towing at all or maybe 1000lbs at most.

[@ajjohn8729]

@@warrengauthier4699 I was literally staring at my tech information page on the 2007-2013 Honda Fit/Jazz factory specifications. It says 2,000 lbs and 200lbs tongue weight. And why wouldn't a 4, cyclinder be capable of towing 2k? Most humans can pull 2,000 lbs in a wheels. You're telling me 80s-2000s Tacoma's, S10, Sonomas, rangers, and Colorados can't tow because they have 4 bangers? A 1995 little Nissan hardbody truck can do 5,000 lbs with a 100hp 4 cyclinder haha

[@warrengauthier4699]

@ajjohn8729 : You forgot to mention the Fit is limited to 1000lbs with no trailer brakes and 2000lbs with trailer brakes. As for trucks, I was talking about 4cylinder cars but even the trucks are useless for towing. You should have a 6 or 8 cylinder.

[@DanielGoepp]

I subscribed to this channel to see how the content was in regards to what you know about. I watched 3 minutes into this, and the Biden gas price comment was gold. Unsubscribed. My honest advice, stick to what you know and leave politics out. Good luck.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

See ya! Thin skin? Pretty sure 99% of people can at least humor mild jokes like that...

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

I do agree that too much politics isn't good but I definitely subscribe to some people that I differ with. :)

[@DanielGoepp]

​@@BenjaminSahlstrom ha. Not at all. Not even slightly offended or thin skinned. Just lost respect for you.

[@DanielGoepp]

@@BenjaminSahlstrom and I too subscribe to people I don't agree with. To a point. Damn, I'm even friends with people I don't agree with, I love it! I get that you feel this was a joke. Unfortunately these days, it has become increasingly clear that what used to be funny is now very real. People are very misinformed, and using humor to deflect from truth deserves some critical comments. I know you don't care I unsubscribed, just like I don't care about your channel any more. I was just providing a little feedback. Do you only want to attract people that share your views?

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

True that the President doesn't fully control gas prices, but there's a lot of things they do that at least influence it. Not drilling for oil and canceling pipelines certainly doesn't help, but I digress. Thanks for your comment and for interacting. I appreciate hearing perspectives that are different from mine. 👍