2001 HONDA ODYSSEY Owners Manual

Your Odyssey has been designed to
tow a trailer, as well as f or carrying
passengers and their cargo.
To saf ely tow a trailer, you must
observe the load limits, use the
proper equipment, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section.Towing a load that is too heavy
can seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
As shown
in the load limits table (See page
), how much weight you can
tow is limited by the number of
occupants in your vehicle and
whether or not you have installed
a transmission f luid cooler. (See
page f or inf ormation about
transmission f luid coolers.) 227
229
Towing a Trailer
T otal T railer Weight:
Load Limits
Driving
226

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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.
The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
trailer weight. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway. Too much
tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Including driver. Based on 150 lbs (70 kg) per occupant.
Weight limited to avoid exceeding rear GAWR (see page ).Maximum Total Trailer Weight
Without TransmissionFluid Cooler
2,000 lbs (900 kg)
1,850 lbs (830 kg)
1,700 lbs (770 kg)
1,550 lbs (700 kg)
1,400 lbs (630 kg) 850 lbs (385 kg)
Number of Occupants
234567 With T ransmission
Fluid Cooler
3,500 lbs (1,580 kg)
3,350 lbs (1,520 kg)
3,200 lbs (1,450 kg)
3,050 lbs (1,380 kg)
2,900 lbs (1,310 kg) 850 lbs (385 kg)
:: 228
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Tongue Load:
227

The best way to conf irm that vehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the f irst time you set up a
towing combination (a f ully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
The total weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed:
The total weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo, the
tongue load must not exceed:
The total weight of the vehicle, all
occupants and cargo, and the
trailer and everything in or on it,
must not exceed:
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle with transmission f luid cooler
without transmission f luid cooler
and
Checking L oads
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR): Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR):
Towing a Trailer
Driving
228 5,565 lbs (2,525 kg)
2,775 lbs (1,260 kg)
2,840 lbs (1,290 kg)
8,160 lbs (3,700 kg)
6,660 lbs (3,025 kg)
Exceeding load limits or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously
injured or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, and
how much load you are towing.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is
properly installed and that it meets
f ederal, state, province, and local
regulations.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody,
using the six threaded holes
provided. A hitch designed especially
foryourOdysseycanbeobtained
f rom your Honda dealer.Always use a saf ety chain. Make
sure that it is secured to both the
trailer and hitch, and that it cross
under the tongue so it can catch the
trailer if it becomes unhitched.
Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do
not let the chain drag on the ground.
If the total trailer weight is more
than 2,000 lbs (900 kg), you must
also use a weight distributing hitch.
This device transf ers weight f rom
the vehicle’s rear wheels to the f ront
wheels, and to the trailer’s wheels.
Caref ully f ollow the hitch maker’s
instructions f or proper installation
and adjustment.
If the total trailer weight exceeds
2,000 lbs (900 kg), you should install
a sway control device to minimize
swaying that can occur in crosswinds
and in normal and emergency
driving maneuvers. Your trailer
makercantellyouwhatkindof sway
control you need and how to install it.
If the total trailer weight is more
than 2,000 lbs (900 kg), you must
also have a transmission fluid cooler
installed. This device will help
prevent transmission overheating,
which could cause serious damage.
A transmission f luid cooler designed
foryourOdysseycanbeobtained
f rom your Honda dealer.
CONT INUED
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
HitchesWeight Distributing Hitch
Saf ety Chain Sway Cont rol
T ransmission Fluid Cooler
Towing a Trailer
Driving 229

Honda recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.Since lighting and wiring vary in
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualified mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicleandthetrailer.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located behind the lef t
side panel in the cargo area. Ref er to
thedrawingaboveforthewiring
color code and purpose of each pin.
To use the trailer lighting connector,
you will need a wiring harness and
converter. This comes with the
Honda hitch (see page ), or it
may be obtained separately from
your dealer. If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle from your Honda dealer.
229
Trailer Brakes Trailer Lights
Towing a Trailer
Driving
230
GGRROOUUNNDD((BBLLAACCKK))BBAACCKK--UUPPLLIIGGHHTT((GGRREEEENN//BBLLAACCKK))
LLEEFFTTTTUURRNNSSIIGGNNAALL((GGRREEEENN//BBLLUUEE))
RRIIGGHHTTTTUURRNNSSIIGGNNAALL((GGRREEEENN//YYEELLLLOOWW))TTAAIILLLLIIGGHHTT((RREEDD//BBLLAACCKK))BBRRAAKKEELLIIGGHHTT((WWHHIITTEE//BBLLAACCKK))

Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inf lated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
When towing a trailer, you should
carry a f ull-size wheel and tire as a
spare in case you have a flat. If you
use the compact spare tire that came
with the vehicle, it may adversely
af f ect vehicle handling. See page
f or inf ormation on proper tire
size, and page f or inf ormation on
how to store a f ull-size tire. When
storing a f ull-size spare tire in the
trailer, f ollow the trailer maker’s
instructions.
Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation. When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. You may want to fill the fuel tank
with premium f uel. Premium f uel
provides improved perf ormance.
323
309
227 228 335
CONT INUED
Spare Vehicle T ire
Additional Trailer EquipmentPre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
Driving231

The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 2nd
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
discussed below.
If the automatic transmission shifts
f requently between 3rd and 4th
gears while going up a hill, shif t toD.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. D is the
proper shif t lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See ‘‘ ’’ in the next
column f or additional gear
inf ormation.)
3
4
3
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
Driving
232

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
bottom
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Parking
Towing a Trailer
Driving
233