RE: Need Advice on Honda Odyssey Tow Pkg

[rscraig205]

 
Hello.  
 
 I m getting ready to return to pop-up towing after several years  break. Previously, I towed with large vehicles where I had little concern about weight limits, but now I plan to tow a medium-sized pop-up (yet unbought) with my 2001 Honda Odyssey. The specs say I can tow up to 3500lb if I get the Honda towing pkg. The towing pkg includes hitch, tranny cooler and a power steering cooler. I have several questions and any advice would be appreciated.
 
 (1) Honda dealers have quoted me prices of from $850 to $1200 to install the towing pkg. This seems exhorbitant to me. I can buy the Honda pkg myself from a web dealer for $430 plus shipping. Should I (a) bite the bullet and have the dealer do it? (b) Order the Honda pkg myself and have a local garage do it? (c) Piece together my own pkg from various reputable mfrs, install what I can myself, and let a local garage do the harder stuff (e.g., the tranny cooler)?
 
 (2) I understand the need for a tranny cooler, but why a power steering cooler? Is that really needed?
 
 (3) Should I purchase a hitch that can handle weight distribution in case I decide I need that later?
 
 (4) Should I purchase a brake controller? What does one do? Can it be added later if I need it?
 
 Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
 
 Steve
 

[mike4947]

 rscraig205
Seems we had a couple of folks last year ask about this and I to questioned the power steering cooler so I asked at my local dealer.
 Yes, you do need it. The fluids in these new front wheeled drives go places you wouldn t dream of and towing will put a major stain on heat into the steering.
 Also I wasn t able to find a cooler for the power steering except at the dealer. Unless it s a made for Honda, someone should have it, but I couldn t find it.
 As for getting the parts off the web and having a local garage install them I think about 2 things. 1) if it s still under warranty, what effect will having them installed " out of the system"  have on the warranty and 2) I d make really sure the local garage was really up to speed on Hondas.
 
 As for WD they can be mounted to any class III hitch. They attach with their own drawbar just like a regular drawbar would.
 
 
 Brake controllers can be added anytime. Inertial controllers are much better than time delay and the best (and IMHO the only choice) is the Prodigy Controller. Mounts in any position, allows for adjustment of not only braking force but also advanced braking for the PU brakes (boost) and can be transfered from vehicle to vehicle with a simple pocket mount in each.
 

[Tim5055]

 mike4947
I agree with everything Mike said except:
 
 

ORIGINAL:  mike4947
 As for WD they can be mounted to any class III hitch. They attach with their own drawbar just like a regular drawbar would.
 

 While yes, they can be inserted into any Class III receiver, some vehicle manufacturers specifically prohibit their use in some model cars/trucks.  I know Honda prohibits thier use in some vehicles due to the stress it puts on the unibody construction.  Check with the dealer before using a WD hitch on.
 
 With that said, yse buy a Class III hitch.  The difference in price between a Class II and a Class III is minimal, so go with the stronger of the two.
 
 You only need a brake controller if you buy a pop up with brakes.  It is the device that signals the pop up brakes to stop when the tow vehicle stops.  If you buy a pop up with brakes, buy the controller and use the brakes.  It will save your Hondas brakes in the long run.  So, thinking along those lines you may only want to consider pop up that have brakes, I know I would if I were in your position.
 
 Remember, your vehicle braking system is designed to stop the vehicle itself!  When towing you are adding a substantial weight (mass) to the rear of your vehicle which also must be stopped.  If your manufacturer has an option for brakes (electric or surge) if  at all possible they should be included in your camper purchase.
 
 Take a look at my [link=http://www.title-3.com/FAQ.htm]Frequently Asked Questions [/link] for more information.