RE: Towing Question

[jjmom]

 
Our TV is starting to have serious, expensive problems and we are considering using my van, a  96 Honda Odyssey 4 cyl. as our new tow vehicle (we would have to add a hitch).  I have been trying to find out if this van can tow our camper (Coleman Sedona, no fridge, no air, no furnace and we pack light).  I have no owner s manual for the van, as I bought it used and it didn t have one. I tried the dealer, who was no help at all.  I know on the old forums someone had posted a website where you could get tow info for different cars. Would anyone happen to know the website?

[whitestar505]

 jjmom
I know the one you are talking about,but you really do not want to tow with a four cyl. You will have two autos with problems. I just got rid of a Sedona and my six cyl could just keep up with it. Not only could it cause problems but could be safety problem....[]

[SactoCampers]

 jjmom

ORIGINAL:  jjmom
 
 Our TV is starting to have serious, expensive problems and we are considering using my van, a  96 Honda Odyssey 4 cyl. as our new tow vehicle (we would have to add a hitch).  I have been trying to find out if this van can tow our camper (Coleman Sedona, no fridge, no air, no furnace and we pack light).  I have no owner s manual for the van, as I bought it used and it didn t have one. I tried the dealer, who was no help at all.  I know on the old forums someone had posted a website where you could get tow info for different cars. Would anyone happen to know the website?
 

 Here s the only link I could find with info regarding your Honda Odyssey (aka Isuzu Oasis) towing capacity:
 
 http://www.epinions.com/compare.html?submitted_form=side_by_side&Compare=Compare&prod343447278465=on&prod343447344001=on&previous_page=%2Fauto_Make-1997_Isuzu_Oasis%2Fdisplay_~full_specs
 
 It s a 1997, but it s the same car as a 1996.
 

[jjmom]

 jjmom
Thanks for the help.  It s not looking very promising to use the Odyssey as a Tow Vehicle is it?   Rats!  I d much rather be safe than sorry, so perhaps we ll have to get some prices to get the other TV repaired.

[mike4947]

 jjmom
Here s the site about tow ratings: http://www.trailerlife.com/
 unfortunately they only go back to 1999, but here s the listing for 1999 Honda s
 
 HONDA
 Vehicle Engine Tow Limit (lbs.)
 Odyssey V-6 24-valve 3,500a,b
 Passport 3.2 V-6 4,500
 Acura RL 3.5 2,000
 SL-X STD 5,000
 aWith transmission fluid cooler and two occupants. Deduct
 150 pounds per passenger up to seven passengers.
 bWithout transmission cooler: 2,000 pounds maximum with
 two occupants.
 pounds.
 
 
 Notice that the four cylinder Odyssey isn t listed. That means it s tow rating is LESS than 2000 pounds. Also notice you need to deduct 150 pounds per passenger from the tow rating so with 3-4 people in it and the four cyclinder you can tow about 600 pounds.

[SactoCampers]

 mike4947

 

Notice that the four cylinder Odyssey isn t listed. That means it s tow rating is LESS than 2000 pounds. Also notice you need to deduct 150 pounds per passenger from the tow rating so with 3-4 people in it and the four cyclinder you can tow about 600 pounds.
 

 It s not listed because it s a completely different vehicle. Pre 1999 Honda Odyssey s were clones to the now defunct Isuzu-Oasis. They had forward hinged doors and were more of a cross between a station wagon and minivan. A four-cylinder engine was the only engine available. In 1999 Honda designed their own minivan which is the one most of us are familiar with today: two sliding doors, 3.5 liter V6 (no four cylinder available), disappearing rear seat, etc.
 

[jjmom]

 jjmom
Wow Sacto, you are exactly right!   It have those doors, and it is like a big station wagon.  We ve given up the idea of it being a tow vehicle and are now looking towards a Chevy Astro or a pickup, or maybe even fixing the  Jeep (we are going to get a second opinion).  Thanks for all the help - it s wonderful that the folks are this board have so much knowledge and are so willing to help out.

[mrflinders]

 jjmom
ORIGINAL: jjmom
 
 

We ve given up the idea of it being a tow vehicle and are now looking towards a Chevy Astro or a pickup, or maybe even fixing the Jeep

 If you are considering an Astro - I have a 2000 I bought new and I can tell you a little about them.
 
 1. You will need a WD Hitch or at least a set of airbags to tow a PU with an Astro.  Chevy recommends a WDH for tounge weights over 200 lbs.
 
 2. The Astro tows my 3500lb (loaded) trailer easily.  It has plenty of power, towing capacity and cargo space.  Be sure to find one with the 3.73:1 rear end ratio - this will make a difference in towing performance.
 
 3. Be prepared for repairs.  Ours has been in the shop (covered by warranty) more than 10 times in 3 years.  Most repairs were for failed power window motors, power door locks, etc.  Once we lost a water pump and alternator while towing our PU home from a camping trip.  Not a very reliable car in my opinion.  And I follow the mainenance schedules religiously.  I have also heard from other owners that rear-end differential failures are common on these vans.  (I have not had mine fail).
 
 Hope this helps..........

[KeithS]

 whitestar505
there should be no problem towing a sedona with a four cylinder tow vehicle. i own a 2002 sedona and i pull it with subaru s smallest vehicle, an impreza outback sport. i live in the finger lakes region of ny, a locale full of hills. we ve taken the pop-up through the adirondack mountains of ny, over the green and white mountains of new hamphire and up and down the coast of maine.
 maybe subarus are unusual for cars, but all are certified to tow at least 2,000 lbs--and that s over and above being certified for a cargo load of about 850 lbs (the tongue weight of the sedona--170 lbs dry--would be added into the cargo load of course). the number of cylinders a vehicle has doesn t determine it s ability to tow. things like whether the vehicle has a ladder frame or monoque (unibody) construction, transmission type and transmission and rear end gearing all go into determining what is safe to tow.
 my little impreza outback sport has a 4 cylinder 165 bhp engine and, as the littlest subaru, it s only certified to tow 2,000 lbs. it does so with ease, even fully loaded. it has no problems maintaining 60-70 mph, uphill, with the sedona on the ball. of course, someone saddled with an automatic transmission has to realize that he/she will have to do some fancy footwork to keep the engine in the power  sweet spot , but my subie is a 5 speed, so going between 4th and 5th keeps the engine in the 3,000 rpm range just about all the time.