sitesseeingusa wrote: Interesting. I'm going to read my Odyssey manual again. I don't recall them mentioning the tow package when referring to the 3,500. It did say to subtract from the 3,500 whenever a passenger is added (I think we're at 3,200 when counting passengers). I sure hope we can tow more than 2,000! :-)
here's what Honda's Odyssey website specs says, to tow the 3500 amount:
Requires surge-type or electric trailer brakes and available Honda accessory towing package and hitch ball. Premium unleaded fuel recommended when towing. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
Dan- Firefighter, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
just pulled Coleman Niagra approx 2600/2800 #'s w/ 2009 Odyssey w/factory installed towing pkg & class III hitch; fresh oil change, probably due for trans fluid change; pulled in GA/FL about 2500 miles round trip....did not have the electric brakes wired in (OEM on camper) so i drove accordingly. However i towed at 80 mph on highway w/absolutely no issue...yes it sagged under weight of camper, probably should have a higher ball height on hitch insert; trailer did not sway much...stopping was fine...trans felt great and shifted smoothly...in Drive 3 it was pulling 4-5k rpm...got 11.3 mpg... Only things i would do differently would be to hook up elec brakes, and stiffen up the rear suspension (any suggestions?) I will only use Honda to tow in the SE and not pull in mountains.
Honda manual lists 3500 towing, w/factory tow pkg...subtract tow item, passengers & luggage and see what you come up with. I had an '01 Caravan w/tow pkg and this Odyssey is so much better in every way, i have no qualms pulling this size trailer on flat land, but i certainly wouldn't want to pull something heavier or w/larger frontal area.
I'm a 25+ year experienced camper/trailer towing guy, have '04 GMC Sierra for real pulling.
Get the Reese 350 Mini weight distribution hitch made specifically for "Coleman" campers with their side mounted tongue jack. It will cut the sag and provide sway control.
Drove in 3 at 4000-5000 rpm? What on earth for?
25 years towing experience and you towed the critter with a minivan and no trailer brakes?! Don't skimp on the brake controller. Tekonsha Prodigy P2 or P3, not a cheap time delay controller.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland Our Photo pages
sayby1campers wrote: Towing @ 80 mph... with no trailer brakes on a 2600 lb camper!!
Hate saying it...but that's just plain stupid!!! Not to mention illegal.
Sorry.....
I agree! And even with brakes, trailer tires are only rated to 65 mph. Not good.
Jayco 17Z
Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab
Prodigy P2
Equal-i-zer Hitch US Navy Veteran
sayby1campers wrote: Towing @ 80 mph... with no trailer brakes on a 2600 lb camper!!
Hate saying it...but that's just plain stupid!!! Not to mention illegal.
Sorry.....
I tow a B19 with my '05 Odyssey and all I have to say is that it is doable if you tow @ around 55-60mph. I know, I hate people passing me, but otherwise, you are:
#1 Using more gas if you try to go faster.
#2 At least for me, I feel safer and feel that the Ody isn't straining (no automatic shifting up and down + no 4k rpms).
#3 Even with a break controller, I feel that at this speed, it will be easier to stop safely.
But this is my only experience after 1 year of towing my hybrid.
Online
, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur
, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever
, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
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/ 2004 k2500 Suburban LT 6.0, 3.73, g80 locker, center buckets, and sunroof.
