Honda CR-V 1998 Reference Owner's Manual page 168

Improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can seriously affect
its steering and braking
performance, causing a crash
in which you can be seriously
injured.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
before starting to drive.
The best way to confirm that your
total towing package is within these
specifications is to get it weighed.
Load the vehicle and trailer as you
normally would while towing, and
take them to a public scale. Have
them check the total weight and the
weight at each axle, then compare
the weights to the specifications.
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Hitches
Your Honda dealer, or the Honda
Customer Relations Zone Office, can
give you advice on the proper hitch
for your vehicle. Never use a hitch
that mounts only to the rear bumper.
The bumper is not designed to
handle that type of load. The hitch
should bolt to the underbody of the
vehicle and distribute the load over a
wide area. Always have a trailer
hitch installed by a qualified
technician.
NOTICE
A trailer hitch that is not adequate for
the size of the trailer, or a hitch that is
improperly installed, can cause damage
to the underside of your vehicle.
Driving