Towing with a Honda Odyssey

[jskbe]

Does anyone know how well A 05 Odyssey will pull a PU? What size would be too big? Any suggestions on what to get. We have a family of 5 our maine concers are AC and over all function.

Thanks to who ever has imput.

[wynot]

Does anyone know how well A 05 Odyssey will pull a PU? What size would be too big? Any suggestions on what to get. We have a family of 5 our maine concers are AC and over all function.
 
Thanks to who ever has imput.

With a family of 5 your bigger challenge is weight and cargo.  You may want to look in the archives, there have been a lot of discussions about minivans, Odysseys, etc.

[edwardr132]

I have a family of six (includes 2 five year old twins!) and tow with a Honda Odyssey Minivan.  I believe it all depends on which popup you buy and how you load the popup.

#1)  Only get the tow package installed from your Honda Dealer, otherwise Honda will not warranty your trans

#2)  Only tow with a WDH if over 1,800lbs.  Most popups are....  Check out Reese 350 as an example.  Do a google search for examples of one.  Mine is the one especially designed for popups

#3)  Honda wants brakes on the popup if towing over 1,000lbs.  

All this is in your owners manual.  A GREAT Honda Odyssey Owner's website is odyclub.com in the forums.  There is a lot of talk about towing with a Honda Odyssey.

When calculating tow capacity, start with #3,500lbs provided you got the tow package from a Honda dealer, and then subtract everyone in your car and what you plan on carrying in your car;  then subtract the popup weight.  This only applies on a level surface, when towing in the mountains, I believe you need to subtract about 20% to that figure.

Personally, I own a 2000 Seapine which has a lightweight of 1,760lbs and probably 2,000 fully loaded.

I figure that my family weighs a total around 615lbs, the coolers (2 usually) and the popup and all the accessories like clothes, and screen room etc, I bring weigh around say 2,300lbs.

Therefore,  3,500lbs - 615lbs - 2,300lbs = 585lbs of (comfort capacity with me concerned).

As far as towing what I am towing, the Honda handles admirably.  I am really, really happy with the towing performance of my Honda!  Honda makes Great Vans!  I couldn't say the same with my prior 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager 3.3ltr engine.  I hated towing with it.

Tips of advice; get a locking pin that avoids the "clunking" factor between your TV and the popup.  Makes all the difference in the world.  I couldn't take it anymore and upgraded my pin.

[wynot]

Tips of advice; get a locking pin that avoids the "clunking" factor between your TV and the popup. Makes all the difference in the world. I couldn't take it anymore and upgraded my pin.

What is a locking pin, I have never heard a clunk in my hitch in any of my tow vehicles and different trailers?

[edwardr132]

What is a locking pin, I have never heard a clunk in my hitch in any of my tow vehicles and different trailers?

A locking pin is one that "clamps" the pin to the hitch.  It uses two holes to lock the pin in place and keep it from "moving around".  When towing using a typical inexpensive "clip" pin, I would always feel whenever accelerating or braking that the popup was either being "dragged" or "bumping" the TV slightly.  When purchasing the WDH, I complained about this as one of my gripes of towing.  Then he explained to me that he himself doesn't use one of those typical pins, but rather this one.  I couldn't believe the difference.  To me it is as though I am driving one vehicle, not two.


Another name for it is....
SILENT HITCH PIN AND LOCK SYSTEM.  I have trouble finding the exact one that my trailer dealer put on my hitch.  Mine is a locking pin that goes through the main hole and turns and locks into a second hole and then is locked into place with a wrench system.  I believe the cost is around $30/so compared to around $2 for your typical pin with a clip.

[edwardr132]

I found it...

Draw-Tite J-Pin Stabilizing Pin with Square Lock for 2" Trailer Hitch Receivers
7651

More Information
Feel Secure with Theft-Preventing Lock & Rattle Free Noise
Ideal for Bike Carriers & Hitch Mounted Cargo Carriers
Draw-Tite J-PinTM Compatible Hitch Required (See Below)
Simple Snap On Lock Design
Packaged complete with J-Pin, Lock & Key, Wrench (Pictured Below), and Cap
Works with Hollow or Solid Shank Ballmounts and Hitch Accessories
Draw-Tite's Exclusive J-PinTM Ready Receiver Design Allows for the most Confident and Secure Hookup in Today's Towing Market by Compressing the Hitch Mounted Accessory against the Inner Side Wall of the Hitch Receiver Tube. Once attached, the Hitch and Towing Components seem virtually Welded together.


Draw-Tite's J-PinTM Quickly and Confidently Secures Ball Mounts and other Hitch Mounted Accessories, eliminating the Sway and Rattle caused by necessary part clearance issues.

Hopefully this website link works....

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=7651

To use it, another hole must be drilled into one side of the 2" hitch to secure it in place.  I had the dealer do it for me....

[abbear]

I've got to be honest.  I cringe every time someone posts a "I have such-and-such for a tv.  What can I tow with it?"  It's like going into a sports bar and asking who the greatest  baseball player is - everyone has an opinion.  But in this case edwardr132 has hit the nail on the head.  You need to read his post carefully and follow his advice - he has real world experience with the same tv as you have.  And go check out the online group and really learn what other odyssey owners say about towing.  Then come back here and let us help you out with your popup!