|
One thing I haven't seen mentioned.
While I expect there might be AWD versions of the Odyssey, chances are that this is a FWD vehicle. Front wheel drive is at a significant disadvantage when towing uphill...even with a good, well setup weight distribution hitch. (And let's not forget that a good WDH will add 60 to 70 pounds of ground hugging weight to the tongue weight...over and above the roughly 500 to 600# the E-Pro will apply.)
Camping suggests more primitive roads...often gravel roads...into the camping area. When climbing hills, FWD suffers from a significant traction deficit when climbing on loose gravel surfaces. Towing at or near max GVWR on the tow vehicle, and at or near max rated tow capacity for the Honda means that climbing a hill on a gravel road will be a challenge at best. At worst, you might not make it...period.
A couple years ago, a guy next to me recounted a harrowing story of towing his two-bed hybrid, perhaps 4500 pounds loaded, with his Dodge ProMaster FWD work van...same general idea as a Mercedes Sprinter. The road into the lakeside campground is 11 miles of washboard gravel. There are two long, steep uphills on the way in. He recounted having to back down the larger of the two and take a dangerously fast run at the hill for his second attempt...and barely making it. For reference, RWD pickups struggle on this hill because of the washboarding...if they are not loaded...due to axle tramp. When towing, I always selected 4WD-Auto, to engage 4WD when my rear tires would spin a bit.
This kind of challenging road into a camping area is not uncommon, especially out west. And the same would hold true if any road was wet or slick in any way, and you are climbing while towing.
So, before you buy, decide what type of camping you plan to do. If you have visions of boondocking (dispersed camping with no hookups), MANY such places can be miles down unmaintained or poorly maintained dirt roads. And the last bit getting into your favorite spot might be little more than an ATV trail...a "two-track" that's nothing more than a beaten path. If your Honda has the ground clearance to make the journey, you don't want a too-heavy trailer to stop you.
My son has a 2004 Honda Pilot...little more than an Odyssey that's jacked up a bit and includes AWD. Honda has a very nice transmission in this vehicle, so learn to shift manually, and downshift and hold lower gears both for climbing and descending. When climbing, selecting a low gear at "high" RPM keeps the power on tap and prevents the transmission from hunting and making numerous, difficult full-throttle downshifts. If you have a tachometer, use it to manage engine speed. You can cruise all day at 80% of redline...Honda engines are some of the best at high revs. On the downhills, preserve your brakes for emergencies by dropping down to the gear that also maintains about 80% of redline for engine braking. I do this in my Ram 1500 all through the Rockies. Many of the mountain passes are speed-limited to 35 MPH. My Ram will go all day in first gear at 35 MPH...redline is at 45 MPH in first. I save my brakes for emergencies.
I don't recall you saying where you are in the world, but camping is camping. Even in the East, you often find yourself climbing narrow two lanes through the woods to get "there." FWD is the worst option for towing, so adjust your expectations on your choice of camper to accommodate your expectations on WHERE you intend to camp. RV parks...well, OK, but why with something like a PUP? Boonies? You should go lighter and smaller so you can actually get there.
This is our idea of camping.
__________________
Jim Moore
SW Colorado - 4-Corners Area
2020 Jayco X213 Rear Slide, 2006 RAM 1500 with Firestone Airbags No WDH
400 watts of solar on the roof & 200 watts of suitcase & 2 x GC2 batteries
Starlink Gen-3 running from a 500 watt pure sinewave inverter
Boondock almost exclusively on the shores of Lake Vallecito
|
Linear Mode
