Anxiety by first time RVer

[FirstTimer329]

Hello. I am very anxious about buying a Lite weight Travel trailer. I would like to know if is safe to tow a travel trailer with a 2023 Honda Odyssey? I plan to buy a trailer that is below the max towing capacity of 3500 Lbs. I plan to travel to the west coast and back. Boondocking most of my stops. My other cause of my anxiety is, which trailer do you recommend? Keep in mind a budget.

 

[Rosy]

In addition to the towing capacity of your van, you need to consider the payload capacity. Everything you put in and on the vehicle, including people, gear and the tongue weight of the trailer will count against that number.

Let's say for example your payload capacity is 800 lbs (I have no idea what it is, this is just an example). If you put 5 people who each weigh 165 lbs in the van, you'll be over your payload capacity without anything else in the vehicle, never mind hitching up a trailer.

The tongue weights that trailer manufacturers list in their literature are "dry" numbers, meaning they don't include propane, water, spare tire or any of the thousands of pounds of stuff you're going to need in the trailer for a camping trip, all of which will have a variable effect on the tongue weight, depending on where in the trailer it's loaded.

 

[FirstTimer329]

In addition to the towing capacity of your van, you need to consider the payload capacity. Everything you put in and on the vehicle, including people, gear and the tongue weight of the trailer will count against that number.

Let's say for example your payload capacity is 800 lbs (I have no idea what it is, this is just an example). If you put 5 people who each weigh 165 lbs in the van, you'll be over your payload capacity without anything else in the vehicle, never mind hitching up a trailer.

The tongue weights that trailer manufacturers list in their literature are "dry" numbers, meaning they don't include propane, water, spare tire or any of the thousands of pounds of stuff you're going to need in the trailer for a camping trip, all of which will have a variable effect on the tongue weight, depending on where in the trailer it's loaded.

Thank you for your response. It will be taken under consideration.

 

[Porterhouse]

Hello. I am very anxious about buying a Lite weight Travel trailer. I would like to know if is safe to tow a travel trailer with a 2023 Honda Odyssey? I plan to buy a trailer that is below the max towing capacity of 3500 Lbs. I plan to travel to the west coast and back. Boondocking most of my stops. My other cause of my anxiety is, which trailer do you recommend? Keep in mind a budget.

With conventional travel trailer towing, the weight of the tow vehicle in relation to the weight of the trailer is important for towing stability. Your Honda weighs about 4500 lbs. and that compares well with your 3500 lb. (or less) trailer. You won't have any problem. Just make sure your trailer tongue weight is 10% or more of it's fully loaded weight, otherwise it may tend sway a little.