Registered: Apr 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 17

I am boat shopping. I want a 2006 Mastercraft X1. One of the reasons I want the X1 is that it's one of the lightest tournament tow boats I can find (3,200 lbs).

However, once I add the trailer's weight I think I'll be pushing 4,000 lbs. I know this is over the Ody's limit, but I read a thread (see below) and it gave me hope...

Guy tows 3,900 lb. sailboat with his 2002 Ody

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=64254

I carry about 500 lbs. of people in the van (me, wifey, and kids). Most of my trips would be to the local river (10 miles away). We'd take a couple of trips a year to lakes that are an hour away. Maybe one trip as far away as Shasta each year (300 miles away).

I would plan on adding the full Honda tow package. The trailer is dual axle with surge brakes. I'd also add air bags and a weight distributing hitch if needed.

I really can't afford to replace the Ody after just a year. Besides, my wife would never let it go!

I've searched Ody club extensively. Some say the Ody's tow capacity is underrated (should be same as Pilot and MDX). Others disagree.

I rationalize by wondering why my old Durango could tow more with less HP, same curb weight, and shorter wheelbase than my Ody.

Anybody else towed this kind of weight?

Am I crazy to even consider this?

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2006 Hondy Odyssey EX-L RES NAV
Slate Green Metallic / Olive

Last edited by PDX-ODY on 02-28-2007 at 09:01 AM

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Registered: Apr 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2094

The Durango was a body-on-frame truck. The MDX may have additional reinforcements to the chassis, but I dunno. I wouldn't be too worried about the 10 mile trips if the road conditions are reasonable, but I wouldn't do a 300 mile trip with it. I'd also be a little concerned about launching this thing, depending upon the condition/angle of the boat ramps....

I have a 1-ton that pulls a 15,000# trailer on a regular basis, and I put on a lot of miles every year. I see quite a few accidents involving vehicles with trailers, especially in the mountains. What may feel secure to some folks can get out of hand quickly in the wrong conditions.

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Registered: Jan 2007
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 4

With trailer and fuel, would think you are looking at ~4200#. Need to add any accessories. The Odyssey is rated 3500# max with driver, 3200# with driver and passenger, and drops from there. The Odyssey does not have the oversize brakes and cooling systems of the Ridgeline nor does it have the 4WD for slippery boat ramps and locking rear end. I would think the 10 mile trips would be okay but would not recommend the longer trips. You are risking an accident and lawsuits if you are overloaded. I am in same "boat" as I am considering replacing my CRV with either an Odyssey or Ridgeline but the towing limits are problamatic. Ridgeline is rated for 5000# with driver and passengers. Quess I need a Civic for milage, an Odyssey for family use and a Ridgeline for hauling :-).
Pete

Last edited by kuhlmapw on 02-28-2007 at 05:02 PM

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 537

You will be above the recommended Maximum Total Trailer Weight. Boat with no trailer or options is 3000 lbs already. http://www.wakeworld.com/boats/getb...roductID=200111 Recommended Max Total Trailer Wt with 4 occupants is 3,050 lbs. The boat already weighs 3000 lbs. That is with no trailer or camping gear. A stronger tow vehicle would be safer and do a better job.

See the attached file from the 2006 Odyssey Owners Manual and the data from the same source below:

"Maximum Total Trailer Weight

Equipped with transmission cooler
and power steering fluid cooler

Occupants
1 3,500 lbs (1,580 kg)
2 3,350 lbs (1,520 kg)
3 3,200 lbs (1,450 kg)
4 3,050 lbs (1,380 kg)
5 2,900 lbs (1,310 kg)
6 2,750 lbs (1,250 kg)
7 2,600 lbs (1,180 kg)

7 Touring Model only 1,550 lbs (700 kg)
8 650 lbs (290 kg)


1: Including driver. Based on 150 lbs (70 kg)
per occupant.
2: See page 315 for information about fluid
coolers.
3: LX, EX and EX-L models
4: Touring model

To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 percent of the
load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed.

Gross VehicleWeight Rating
(GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 5,952 lbs
(2,700 kg).

Gross AxleWeight Rating
(GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all cargo,
and the tongue load must not
exceed:
On all models except U.S. Touring
model : 2,833 lbs (1,285 kg) on the front
axle, and 3,197 lbs (1,450 kg) on
the rear axle.
On U.S. Touring model : 2,877 lbs (1,305 kg) on the front
axle, and 3,197 lbs (1,450 kg) on
the rear axle.

Gross CombinedWeight Rating
(GCWR):
The maximum allowable weight of
the fully loaded vehicle and trailer
is 8,410 lbs (3,815 kg)"

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Registered: Jun 2006
Location: UT
Posts: 99

I would put the money towards a truck instead of a tow package and airbags.

You should be able to pick up an old extended cab or quad cab truck for around $3000 depending on where you live. Obviously it would probably be an early 90's model with lots of miles. Keep liability only on it and it shouldn't cost much too much more than setting up your Odyssey would. But the most important reason would be for safety.

At that tow weight you may be able to slip buy with a large SUV too but watch the tow rating as they are usually less than trucks due to the additoinal weight and wheelbase.

Also, you might have to sink your rear cargo area and maybe the under floor storage to launch that boat due to the low clearance of the Odyssey. It all depends on the angle of the boat ramp.

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Montgomery, AL area
Posts: 1391

PDX - Ody - I'm not sure if you currently own a 2nd vehicle or not. Regardless, is it out of the realm of possibility of purchasing a well used, but reliable 1/2 ton pick-up truck?

Why consider replacing such a good family hauler with something that probably won't haul the family so well (unless its the only option)?

I mention this because the problem I see is that even for 10 miles, there are plenty of drivers out there that put cell phones at a higher priority than driving their cars. And an Odyssey just won't have the capability to deal with an emergency manuever with 4,000+ lbs. that a 1/2 ton truck will. Even a 10 - 15 year old pick-up will do better towing that much than an Odyssey.

Get a real cheap pick-up if possible. A '94 Chevy half-ton pick-up is going to be cheap, and will have depreciated so much, that you won' t lose much to buy it and sell it a few years later.

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Registered: May 2006
Location: Burnt Hills, NY
Posts: 46

You might be able to do it but you will be putting your family and other people on the road at risk. What about the liability if something goes wrong? Buy a old truck or SUV with a minimum of 5000 LB towing capacity. If you can't afford both buy a smaller boat. Not trying to be a wise guy. Just another guy who had to buy a smaller boat.

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2006 Odyssey LX
2004 Civic EX Sedan

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Registered: Jul 2005
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 60

I have a similar weight boat and tow it fine with my '05 ody. No really long trips, but it handles better than some vehicles I've towed with that are rated 5k lbs.

Is it "smart" to tow 4k lbs with an Ody? I don't know - the liability issue is real. However, if your trailer has brakes, I say it's pretty safe to do it. Would that hold up in court? doubt it.

The stuck on the slippery launch ramp issue is legit also. I haven't had it happen yet, but been pretty close. A tiny bit steaper or more slippery ranp and.....mega embarassment and hassle.

So....not advising you, just saying I was surprised how well my Ody pulls my 3k# boat, load and family.

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Registered: Feb 2006
Location: central ny
Posts: 63

Would get the air bags and the definetly need the trailer brakes.

I tow about 3100 of boat&trailer and have neither. I take it easy, and it gets the job done just fine. One reason I picked the boat I did was to keep the weight manageable with my Ody.

I saw someone launching next to me with about 4000 pounds of boat with a new CRV! Talk about overloaded! Only about double what that is rated for and no brakes on that trailer, 4cylinders of power.

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Last edited by thisishonda on 07-09-2007 at 01:48 AM

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Registered: Nov 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 1499

Why not just rent/borrow when you need it.

A friend was in a similar situation. Asked him how many times he would tow the boat... he mntioned maybe 6 or less every year..

So what he does now is just rents a pickup for those few time he needs it..

Think about how many time you could rent a pickup for the cost of a new transmission...

Have any freinds who have full size pickups?

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Registered: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 195

It's well beyond what I would consider, personally.

That said, the limits aren't exact. It's not like if you're 100 lbs over, everything will fall apart, or if you're 100 lbs under, you'll be perfectly safe under all conditions, either.


The killer issue that can happen when exceeding the weight limit is trailer sway, which can cause serious handling issues, up to and including rollover accidents. Trailer sway becomes a problem with a combination of high weight, high speed, and inappropriate loading.

The other issue that can be a problem with high weight is braking.

Compared to sway and braking, issues like cooling of engine, transmission, and power steering, as well as having sufficient horsepower to maintain speed over hills aren't worth worrying about. They won't kill you. On a short trip, they aren't even likely to damage your van very much.

If you're towing on a twisty mountain road, I'd either keep the speed WAY down (45 or below), or stay well below the published weight limit. Trailer sway is not a forgiving thing.

Read this news article before you try exceeding the limit too far.

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Registered: Feb 2005
Location: US
Posts: 604

Don't do it. Once you load everything you will be neglegently over the van's capability. It won't be even close. Should something happen to someone else. . .guess what the state will find, they will impound your van, boat/trailer, and the gear you were carrying. They will weigh it. With fuel, batts, water, gear, you will be sorely over the capability of the van. If someone got hurt, they would proscute you for negligence. If someone got killed, you would go to prison for involuntary manslaughter.

Point is. . .if you were at the limit, perhaps. However once you weigh in "wet," there is no way you will even be close.

Plus. . .you won't be able to pull the boat out of the water. I bet you could back it in fine. However, when it came time to pull it out, I bet you just spin your tires and slip back into the water.

I understand the whole trying to make things work, but for the safety of everyone, and not having to be towed up the ramp everytime. . .you likely don't want to do this.

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