What weight can a Honda Accord tow?
The Honda Accord can tow roughly 1,000 pounds, with some configurations capable of up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped.
For anyone considering towing with an Accord, the exact limit depends on the model year, engine and transmission, and whether the vehicle has a factory towing setup (such as a trailer hitch and wiring). The owner’s manual and your dealer can confirm the precise rating for your VIN and advise on safety requirements before you tow.
Understanding the towing rating
The figures represent the maximum weight of a trailer the car can pull safely, given the car’s own weight, payload, and braking capabilities. Key constraints include the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) and GCWR (gross combined weight rating), which cap the total weight of the vehicle plus trailer. Tongue weight—the downward force the trailer exerts on the hitch—also affects stability and handling.
Key terms to know
These definitions help you interpret the specifications you’ll see in manuals and rating stickers: towing capacity (the maximum trailer weight), tongue weight (the downward load on the hitch), GVWR (the maximum weight of the vehicle when fully loaded), and GCWR (the maximum combined weight of vehicle, trailer, and cargo). Some trailers also have braking requirements that can influence regulatory compliance and safe operation.
Current guidance for the Honda Accord
For recent model years, Honda generally lists a towing capacity around 1,000 pounds for standard configurations. A smaller subset of models, typically with the appropriate towing package or engine/transmission combination, may be rated up to 1,500 pounds. Always verify the exact figure for your year, engine, transmission, and VIN via the owner’s manual and dealership documentation.
Several factors determine the maximum weight your Accord can tow. The following items are key influencers:
- Engine and transmission choice (e.g., 1.5L turbo with CVT vs 2.0L turbo with a different setup) affect torque, payload, and braking requirements.
- Towing package availability, including a compatible hitch, wiring harness, and any trailer mode or brake control settings.
- Vehicle weight, payload capacity, and the GVWR, which cap how much cargo you can carry in addition to passengers and the tow weight.
- Trailer braking requirements and whether the trailer has its own braking system, which can influence legal and safe towing practices.
- Tongue weight and weight distribution between trailer and tow vehicle to maintain stability and steering control.
- Gross combined weight rating (GCWR), which limits the total mass of vehicle, trailer, and cargo combined.
Understanding these factors helps you avoid exceeding the vehicle’s limits and ensures safe towing within the rated capacity.
Steps you should take to prepare your Accord for towing a trailer:
- Check your owner’s manual and the door-stamp label for the exact towing capacity for your vehicle’s VIN and confirm whether your trim supports towing.
- Install or verify a properly rated hitch and wiring harness, and ensure any towing electronics are configured correctly.
- Inspect the trailer’s braking system (if required by weight), lights, safety chains, and overall condition; confirm the trailer’s weight is within the vehicle’s rating.
- Plan load distribution so the tongue weight is typically about 10%–15% of the trailer’s gross weight to maintain stability.
- Test the vehicle and trailer in a safe area before long trips, checking braking, steering response, and lighting compatibility.
Following these steps helps ensure your Accord tows within its limits and maintains safe handling on the road.
Summary
The Honda Accord’s towing capability is designed for light-duty use. Most recent models are rated around 1,000 pounds, with a select few configurations capable of up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. Always verify the exact rating for your year, engine, and VIN, and adhere to safety guidelines for weight, load distribution, hitch installation, and trailer braking to tow safely.
