towing with a 2004 Honda Odyssey

[cbird]

I am considering purchasing a Fleetwood seapine. My Honda Odyssey is presently equipped with a hitch for 5000LBS, but only has a 1 and 1/4 inch receiver. No lights or coolers because for the past two years our only concern has been hauling bicycles. I understand that to haul the seapine pop up the hitch will need to have the wiring added and I will need a cooler for the transmission. Honda also recommends a power steering cooler and hitch weight distributer. Any opinions out there on whether these last two items are really neccessary for a trailer rated at 1750 lbs unloaded? If so is it possible to get a hitch weight distributer that fits a 1 1/4 inch receiver. How about a sway controler, neccessary and possible for my present hitch?

Thanks all insights appreciated.

[NIAGARA05]

Hi.  Just to help you out the honda odyssey can only tow a mx of 3500 lbs which includes peopl and cargo.  Double check you hitch because most classIII hitches usually com with a 2" reciver.  A class II hitch usually comes with the smaller reciever hole and has a max of 3500lbs.  This is due to the fact that it is front wheel drive and most front wheel drives are not full frames which takes away from towing.

here is a link for it is off of a 2005 odyssey but i believe they are the same.

http://www.theautochannel.com/newcardb/trim.html?asbodystyle=Minivan&trimid=14073

mark

ps. this is on all honda odyssey models and trim types.

[cbird]

Hi.  Just to help you out the honda odyssey can only tow a mx of 3500 lbs which includes peopl and cargo.  Double check you hitch because most classIII hitches usually com with a 2" reciver.  A class II hitch usually comes with the smaller reciever hole and has a max of 3500lbs.  This is due to the fact that it is front wheel drive and most front wheel drives are not full frames which takes away from towing.

here is a link for it is off of a 2005 odyssey but i believe they are the same.

http://www.theautochannel.com/newcardb/trim.html?asbodystyle=Minivan&trimid=14073

mark

ps. this is on all honda odyssey models and trim types.

Thanks Mark, you are right! My hitch is a class II rated to 3500lbs (that will teach me to read without my glasses). But this is the problem...with a trailer weight at 1750lbs and Honda suggesting a weight distribuiting hitch at 1850lbs I figure I am right on the edge and not sure if it is worth a new hitch to get the device, or if I can get it for my current hitch with plenty of capacity for the trailer but only a 1 1/4 inch receiver.

[wavery]

Thanks Mark, you are right! My hitch is a class II rated to 3500lbs (that will teach me to read without my glasses). But this is the problem...with a trailer weight at 1750lbs and Honda suggesting a weight distribuiting hitch at 1850lbs I figure I am right on the edge and not sure if it is worth a new hitch to get the device, or if I can get it for my current hitch with plenty of capacity for the trailer but only a 1 1/4 inch receiver.

If it were me, I would try it without the WDH and see how it goes. If the vehicle can't handle the weight, you will soon know it. Typically, your headlights will point too high, if the rear is too low. You may even experience "bottoming-out" but I doubt it.

If it doesn't work, you can always add the WDH later.

[StepChld]

I am considering purchasing a Fleetwood seapine. My Honda Odyssey is presently equipped with a hitch for 5000LBS, but only has a 1 and 1/4 inch receiver. No lights or coolers because for the past two years our only concern has been hauling bicycles. I understand that to haul the seapine pop up the hitch will need to have the wiring added and I will need a cooler for the transmission. Honda also recommends a power steering cooler and hitch weight distributer. Any opinions out there on whether these last two items are really neccessary for a trailer rated at 1750 lbs unloaded? If so is it possible to get a hitch weight distributer that fits a 1 1/4 inch receiver. How about a sway controler, neccessary and possible for my present hitch?

Thanks all insights appreciated.

I have an '05 Ody and you should have no problem towing without the WD Hitch. But, inorder to not void your warranty on the Ody, you must install both the ATF and PS coolers as well as the air duct that goes underneath. And the Honda wiring harness is a breeze to install, but expensive. If you look up //www.OdyClub.com and do a search on my username (the same as here), you'll see all the info you need to install the whole shebang yourself!
I tow a 1750 PU myself and have had no problems with it, very steady and pulls like a bull.
Oh , I forgot one more thing you'll want to add...Air Lift air bags...picks up the rear end of the Ody very nicely and well worth the cost (less than $200)

[tlhdoc]

I have an '05 Ody and you should have no problem towing without the WD Hitch...Oh , I forgot one more thing you'll want to add...Air Lift air bags...picks up the rear end of the Ody very nicely and well worth the cost (less than $200)

Welcome to PUT StepChld.  If you need to add air bags then a weight distributing hitch might be in order, especially if Honda wants you to use one.

[StepChld]

Welcome to PUT StepChld.  If you need to add air bags then a weight distributing hitch might be in order, especially if Honda wants you to use one.

Honda never made any reference to a WDH to me and I had them call Honda Service for me to double check. The Ody tows the PU easily but it levels it out and gives more ground clearance. All that was suggested by Honda was Air Bags. But who knows...I'm not having any trouble so perhaps I'm just lucky.

[daxton]

Hey there... I tow a 05 Fleetwood Resolute (with Front Storage Trunk) with an 04 Ody... May I suggest the Reese 350 mini WDH.  Because of the Box frame on the Fleetwoods, this allows for the use of the WDH.  Without the mini 350, the ody does sag a bit, but as soon as i hook up the Tension bars, the back end lifts right up.  As for the PS and AT coolers, I purchased the whole towing package from a local Honda Dealership.  You can save money going the aftermarket way.. but i'm always weary on voiding warranty... so for the extra couple hundred, i know i'm safe...


hope this helps out...