2017 Honda Odyssey w/a 2006 - 2619

[joeboh]

Hello all,

I'm the happy new owner of a 2006 2619. I'm towing with a 2017 Honda Odyssey. This forum has been incredibly helpful with the decision to buy and how to rig the Odyssey.

This has been covered elsewhere, but I wanted to pass along my configuration for others down the road:

2017 Honda Odyssey

1. Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" (5000lbs gross, 750lbs tongue)

2. Derale Series 8000 Plate-fin Trans Cooler Kit

3. Tekonsha Prodigy Rf Brake Controller - Proportional

4. Weight distribution hitch came with the camper (appears to be a RB3 Pro Series RB3 Weight Distribution System with Shank - Round Bar - 10,000 lbs GTW, 1,000 lbs TW)


I took two weighs at a CAT scale:

Using 3 plates:
STEER: 2500
DRIVE: 2600
TRAILER: 2760
GROSS: 7860


Using 2 plates (to get the trailer weight)
STEER: 4720
DRIVE: 3120
GROSS: 7840

I had two full propane tanks and a 60lb battery.

I'm still working on getting the weight distribution hitch set correctly. I'm not entirely sure the number of links to use or how high to put the ball. I moved the ball up a few holes in the last picture (IMG_20180318_121047.jpg ). I watched a video that suggested to fine tune it until the rear doesn't compress, but I'm not sure that's possible with such a heavy tongue weight.

Based on the weight and the vehicle specifications (attached), is the correct interpretation that I have ~700lbs of payload that can be added to the GCWR? I don't think I was standing on the scale when it was measured... I will pay attention to that next time! The odyssey has a 3500lb tow rating.

[joeboh]

We just got back from a 3 day, 2 night trip to Mammoth Cave. The TM did great on the 600 mile round trip from Columbus,OH to Cave City. We had heavy rains one night and no leaks.

I stopped at CAT SCALE on the trip and we were right at the GCWR for the van (8660lbs vs 8560lbs). This was with a full tank of gas, 2 adults and 3 small kids and our light packing. Probably the two heaviest items were my bin of tools and ceramic heaters (50lbs) and the folding table and benches we took (around 50lbs). We intentionally packed light -- clothes for each day (no spares) and a few towels and linens and pillows for the beds. Light food and a few water bottles.

In summary, with care, the Odyssey seems like a minimally viable tow vehicle for the 2619. We'll plan to upgrade our TV in the next 12 months, but in the meantime the Odyssey was a good way to test trailering. We likely would have gone with a smaller car instead of a truck in the next 12 months if camping wasn't in the equation.

[Larryjb]

Just so you are aware, I thought I had no leaks as well until I removed the interior window them and vent trims. Water can leak in and work it's way between the laminated layers then down the side without ever seeing a drop of water. It would be an easy and prudent step to remove the vent trim during a rainstorm to check for dampness.

On my trailer, the caulking head been redone just before bought it last year, and it looked good, but everything was leaking.

[joeboh]

Thanks Larryjb for the tips, when you say vent trim, do you mean the roof vent? I will check it out.