Registered: May 2006
Location: canada
Posts: 3

I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm looking at purchasing an older, smaller tent trailer that weighs 1140 lbs. My Honda dealer tells me that I need to purchase the towing package with coolers for the engine? that costs $1400. Everyone else I know says I dont need that to pull something that weighs 1140 lbs. Do I need this whole tow package to pull this tent trailer or is it light enough to get away with just a good hitch Honda installed? Thanks.

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Registered: Apr 2006
Location: Bath, Maine
Posts: 49

Do a search. There are many posts that address this issue & more about towing etc..

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Registered: May 2006
Location: canada
Posts: 3

I did a search and can't seem to find the answer I'm looking for. Can anyone answer my question?

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Dancing with Lord Stanley in Central Ohio
Posts: 3247

I would certainly go with what you are being told by Honda, not by "everyone else I know".... unless, of course, everyone else you know is going to put up the cash in the event a problem arises in the future.

With the historically weak trannys on Hondas, I wouldn't tow anything without going for the full bore package (hitch, coolers, etc....) Just my 2 cents.

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2009 Odyssey EXL-RES Bali Blue
2008 Pilot EXL-RES Formal Black
2003 Odyssey EXL-RES Redrock Pearl <----- Gone

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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 170

I just added the "full bore" OEM Honda trailering package to my '06 EX-L. The towing package cost far more than my utility trailer! However, as PSU says above, I went with it to maintain my warranty. Certainly 1,100 lb shouldn't be too much of a strain, but you or a future owner of your Ody may want to tow more than that someday.

Also, you are being quoted too high a price. I bought all of the stuff: Honda hitch, wiring harness, power steering cooler, a/t cooler, and "air duct" from Bernardi Honda for just under $700 shipped to my door. I then paid a Honda tech (working out of his home garage) to install it all for $250. I'd say anything under $350 would be a great deal on the labor to do it all because it's a 6-hour job by the "book" rate. Big P.I.A., but you should be able to come out of it for $1,100 or less P&L if you play your cards right and start with Bernardi (Google them).

Good luck, keep searching, and don't cut corners - do it right! The Honda hitch is very good unit, and the coolers, once installed, look and perform nicely.

PS - H and A Honda parts (Google them too) has excellent documentation pdf files and trailering info on their on-line '05 Odyssey accessories catalog. Go educate yourself there. They're cheap, but higher than Bernardi.

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Eric
2006 EX-L RES Slate Green/Olive
2006 Accord V6 EX-L, Sapphire Blue Pearl/Black

Previous Hondas include:
1980 Accord sedan
1986 CRX-Si
1991 Civic Si
1992 Civic VX
1994 Acura Legend GS 6-speed
1998 Civic HX
+ many non-Hondas

Last edited by GromitFan on 05-25-2006 at 07:05 AM

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Registered: May 2006
Location: canada
Posts: 3

Sending out a thanks to all who have replied to me. I'm getting the towing package installed (the entire deal) on Monday. I think I knew it was the right thing to do just needed it reaffirmed. More cash to shell out now but savings in the long run could be huge if the trany went.

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