Anxiety by first time RVer

[FirstTimer329]

There are a lot of caveats to be aware of when towing with a Honda Odyssey. You don't have a Tow/Haul mode, so you'd have to use the paddle shifters and your 3,500 lb. capacity is predicated on keeping the payload in the van to a minimum. It likely has a tran. cooler, but in my opinion, dragging around 3,500 lbs with that vehicle is a transmission overhaul waiting to happen.

I plan to tow no more than 3200lbs which is 80% of max tow weight.

 

[Holdmybeer]

I plan to tow no more than 3200lbs which is 80% of max tow weight.

2800 lbs would be 80% of 3500. But 3200 would be better than 3500. Keep in mind as well your trailers tongue weight will count as payload. By keeping your trailer weight at 80% of capacity you'll more likely avoid the tail wagging the dog effect when towing at capacity and towing vehicle weight are as close as you'd be in the Odyssey.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

There are other factors.

HP determines speed, torque determines if it's even an option.


The frontal area is also something that needs attention.

The owners manual for a PTCruiser defines capacity including trailer frontal area.

Let me give you the reason this is important.

Your vehicle might haul a speed boat to the lake. Or maybe a flatbed trailer to get materials, but with all things equal, may only pull a travel trailer on sight due to wind resistance.

A molded trailer, because of well rounded corners,or an old airstream or the like, may pull well due to frontal area even if your gross weight was a little over spec.. Where a typical modern trailer it could not, even within spec.

This frontal area has nothing to do with how sleek the front surfaces are. It's about the amount of air being moved out of the way.

Back in the day (before I could legally drive, 1950's) many low HP, low torque vehicles pulled recreational trailers to favorite spots, many of those trailers were quite heavy. It worked because the drivers were not expecting to travel very fast. Interstates were few, and speed limits are not what set the pace, common sense did.

Suggestions for a lite travel trailer? I could not with a conscience offer a recommendation for any new RV. No matter the cost, quality just isn't there.

I Am in a cargo trailer. The build is My design, serving My needs. Cargo trailers are a commercial product. Even entry level (as mine is), are built to stand up in conditions that an RV won't. Even a rough build can make a modern RV look like trash.

Guess I do have a recommendation.

 

[RobertE]

I plan to tow no more than 3200lbs which is 80% of max tow weight.

You’re getting some good advice but if you plan to proceed with that vehicle this is way too much load. Please reconsider and also think about what was said about the transmission is 100% true.

We focus on towing weigh and tongue weight, but what Kevin said is something not often considered. Aerodynamics is huge. You’re pulling a sail down the road. Once you hook up and get out there then you find out the reality.

A tear drop trailer is a good match for your vehicle. But pulling a sail down the road is only going to add more strain to the transmission.

https://www.vistabule.com/teardrop-trailers/vistabule/

 

[Rosy]

I plan to tow no more than 3200lbs which is 80% of max tow weight.

Might want to double check your math there.

That would also be the weight of the trailer loaded, not its dry weight.

You’re getting some good advice but if you plan to proceed with that vehicle this is way too much load. Please reconsider and also think about what was said about the transmission is 100% true.

We focus on towing weigh and tongue weight, but what Kevin said is something not often considered. Aerodynamics is huge. You’re pulling a sail down the road. Once you hook up and get out there then you find out the reality.

A tear drop trailer is a good match for your vehicle. But pulling a sail down the road is only going to add more strain to the transmission.

https://www.vistabule.com/teardrop-trailers/vistabule/

I'd think a tent trailer would be a better fit.

 

[Porterhouse]

Got it. Thanks. Any recommendations on a lite travel trailer?

Thank you, Rosy, for that video. on another note. I'm preparing my tow vehicle. Besides the 7 pin electrical harness, I also realized that I needed a brake controller. It was separate from the 7 pin harness. I opted not for the hard wired one but the bluetooth Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller. The part was $100 less than the hard wired one and no labor cost to install it. So far, this endeavor has costed me about $1000. Besides the buying of a trailer, which I believe is my next step. Does anyone have an advice?

How many people will you be travelling with?

Have you looked at any pop-up campers? They are lightweight and very easy to tow, and you can get them with some very elaborate floor plans.