hertfordnc
Hertford, NC
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Planning a big trip with my daughters family this summer. We tow a hybrid with an excursion.
She is looking at renting a pop-up to pull with her 2008 Honda Odyssey.
Probably picking up the trailer around Denver and using it throughout Colorado for two weeks.
The towing guide offers no details on the Odyssey- it just says "3500 lb" for all models and trim levels.
I know my way around towing and tow vehicles but this is new territory.
Is it likely to have wiring for a brake controller?
Does it tolerate operating at its limits?
Thanks
Dave & Ellen Silva
Hertford, North Carolina
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agesilaus
North Florida
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I don't know anything about towing with an Odyssey but are you seriously thinking about using a popup, in Colorado, in December??
I doubt that vehicle comes with brake controller wiring why not call the local dealership service manager. I don't know if you towed popups before but those tiny tires blow out frequently, do not run them too fast. Also it can be tough to find one of those small tires too.
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hertfordnc
Hertford, NC
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Sorry. No. This is a summer trip -
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frankwp
Calgary, AB, Canada
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I towed a large pop up with a Windstar (definitely a less capable vehicle than an Oddessy) and it pulled like a champ. It had a 3500 lb tow rating & the trailer weight very close to that. Power & stability were not an issue. But I would not do it without a weight distributing hitch.
The trailer had electric brakes, something I would not want to be without in all but the smallest utility trailers.
* This post was
edited 12/06/21 08:34am by frankwp *
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Wireless brake controller is your easy solution for brakes. Can't comment on the suitability of the vehicle, but being the better part of 15 years old, the miles/condition of it are as important as the as-designed vehicle capabilities.
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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This might be of help; Honda Odyssey Towing Capacities From 2000-2020 Good resource - 2008-2010 Models
You can find the Owners Manual here.
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wowens79
Georgia
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We towed a popup with a Pilot, which is the same engine and trans as an odyssey, but I think it does have a stiffer suspension.
It did do pretty good with it, but it did lighten the front end some. Our Pilot was all wheel drive, and when starting going uphill in the rain, you could feel the front tires start to spin, and then the rear drive would kick in, so not sure how much spinning the odyssey would do.
It does not have wiring for a brake controller, but you can wire one in. I did that on our Pilot, it is not to bad, but you have to run wires the length of the car underneath it, so that is a bit of a pain.
Etrailer.com had a kit for it with all the wiring you need, and even had a video on how to install it.
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Sjm9911
New Jersey
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You would need a break controller and most have upgraded cooling systems added. Addtionally, bump stops or air bags to correct the sag. And ot depends on the weight of the pop up. Go lighter and not with the 3500 lb ones. Lots tow with them, but with the added mods listed.
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agesilaus
North Florida
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Quote:Etrailer.com had a kit for it with all the wiring you need, and even had a video on how to install it.
If you do not want to install it yourself, UHaulit stores will usually install one for a price of course.
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Please understand the vast majority of participants here, myself included, tow almost exclusively with heavy duty pickup trucks. Their opinions of smaller vehicle tow capabilities are tempered by what they currently use to tow. They will tell you WHAT THEY WOULD NOT DO, not necessarily what can/should not be done.
Does this Odyssey have the tow package on it now? Does it have a receiver hitch? If it doesn't have a receiver hitch it probably has nothing else for towing. Then you have to factor in the cost of adding all that equipment for just one trip.
If the documentation states the vehicle can tow 3500lbs, it can tow 3500lbs. In the passenger classes of vehicles they usually allow for adequate payload capacity to tow the rated amount, AND have the vehicle reasonably loaded with people and stuff. That is also probably with whatever towing equipment option package the manufacturer provides, but you can emulate that with aftermarket equipment.
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