What size camper for my van?

[lam1317]

i want a niagra too heavy i figure i can safely tow around 2000 lbs
with my honda odyssey does anyone have a honda van that tows
a pop up camper which models can i tow around that weight. i have been  looking thinking about a new one.

just got back from foral city fl picking up kids from camp looked at few colemans
from craigslist cant wait to buy one. on the way home went through
ft wilderness at disney world this has to be the best camp site in america.
my wife cant wait to go camping there neither can i.

thanks in advance to all who respond.

[campaholic]

Hi There!

I don't want to start anything, because I know that this topic is very controversial, but I just wanted to let you know that we tow a Starcraft 17FK (hybrid) with our Honda Odyssey with absolutely no trouble.  Now, we don't travel up mountains in 100+ heat, we try to pack light, and we take our time.  We also have had work done on the van to ensure the best possible outcome (transmission and power steering coolers, air bags in the rear to help keep the van's butt off the ground, and we have an Equalizer brand hitch).  I was so concened that I called Honda and asked many questions.  Their response was that some mini vans are meant for towing, and some are not.  The Odyssey is designed to tow up to 3500 lbs.  I'm no expert, and there are many, many people who think that anyone who would tow anything with a mini van is crazy.  I can only say, that speaking from personal experience, it is a very doable combination.  If we had money to burn, we'd buy a more powerful vehicle, but since we don't, and we take only 4-5 trips a year, we are very, very happy with what we have.

-Melanie

[Dray]

I have a 2004 Odyssey and pull a 2006 Fleetwood Timberlake with it.  My Pu dry is 2200 lbs and loaded around 3000.  Tongue weight is about 300.  I haven't added anything to the van like the coolers or the weight distribution hitch to the PU like Melanie in the previous post.  I haven't done those things cause I plan to buy a different tow vehicle.  The reason I plan to change is cause it doesn't do well towing up the mountains.  I want something stronger that I don't have to worry so much about.  I hate having to pull over in the turnouts to let people pass.  In my opinion the van is just too wimpy to pull the PU I have and to go where I want to go with it.

[dirtracin]

We have an 2004 Odyssey and I have not put a hitch on it, I haven't heard very good things about the transmissions in them, if you want check out the message board at http://www.odyclub.com/forums/

[Dray]

We have an 2004 Odyssey and I have not put a hitch on it, I haven't heard very good things about the transmissions in them, if you want check out the message board at http://www.odyclub.com/forums/

The above is another reason I don't want to tow with my Odyssey.  I've always been worried about the transmission and now that I've read about the history on the odyclub.com website I especially don't want to use it as my TV.

[justus]

lam1317 ,
Did you get the "Towing Package" when you bought your van?

If I recall from my research of mini vans you had to get an "tow package" (Heavy Duty Alternator, and Transmission Cooler) for the Honda to meet their specifications of 3500 lbs towing capacity.