Trailering

[og1975ze]

I have 2000 Honda Odissey. Is this car strong enough to trailor MacGregor 26. Thanks for any ingo.

[Paul S]

Probably borderline. It probably CAN do it. I wouldn't personally. I prefer something beefier. Front wheel drive might have issues on steep ramp.

[Brian Capron]

Should be no problem at all. I have been towing mine from time to time with a 2002 Olds Silloutte Van which is lighter than yours.
Good Sailing,
Brian

[KayakDan]

Knowing that the 99 and later Odysseys have had some trans problems,I would be reluctant. If you do,however,it's imperative that you put a trans and power steering cooler setup on the vehicle. The Odyssey is rated at 3500 lbs towing(maximum)2000(normal)so you're right on the edge.
That said,I tow an M with a Pilot(same engine) no problem-but it's 4WD. Ramps may be a problem hauling out.

[Scott]

Smallest tow vehicle Ive seen

This ones for KMC

[Harvey]

I've been towing my MacX with my 2000 Odyssey for over a year now, with no problems, including some long and pretty steep hills, and no tow shorter than 50 miles one way. The front wheel drive has been no problem for me on any of the ramps I have used, which included some pretty steep ones. I installed the largest transmission cooler I could find in the local auto parts stores, as well as an E-Qual-Izer weight-distributing hitch in a class III receiver. The E-Qual-Izer hitch is the only weight-distributing hitch I have found that will allow the trailer surge brakes to operate. I would check to see if your Ody already has a power steering cooler installed before buying one. Mine had one factory installed, without the towing package.

My X rides along behind with no sway at 65 mph.

[Harvey]

Do a search on E-qual-izer to see more discussion on towing and what you will need.

[NiceAft]

I was going to express my doubts about your selected towing vehicle, but, after reading Harvey and Slamjammer's response, I changed my mind It just goes to show you; sometimes a good theory can be blasted out of the water by good old reality.....never mind!

Ray

[Chip Hindes]

sometimes a good theory can be blasted out of the water by good old reality.....never mind!

Yes, but you must understand that anecdotal evidence from two people who haven't yet had a problem is not "reality", nor is it nearly enough to disprove the original theory.

The reality is, marginal works most of the time.

[ALX357]

My Chevy Venture mini-van, identical to an Olds Silhouette, is strong enough to tow the boat, engine wise, and heavy enough to maintain traction on the ramps launching and pulling it out, but the transmission will have a vastly reduced life, and the vehicle is marginally too light, even the "loaded" models. The wheel-base, of the extended versions even, is too short for really dependable control at high speeds for long repeated trips. Gas mileage goes from 25 normally down to 12 avg when towing the boat.
It's the only thing I have to tow the boat, and I continue to use it.

[Frank C]

... Gas mileage goes from 25 normally down to 12 avg when towing the boat.

Wow! A real advantage to towing with my full sized Sierra pickup ... the relative mileage penalty
when towing is only about 8%, rather than 50%!

The Sierra's gas mileage goes from 12 normally down to 11 avg when towing the boat!

[Catigale]

I pretty much figure I will toast the transmission on my VW in 100k miles or less towing Catigale around, but even that cost doesnt justify running a bigger tow vehicle for 5 years to prevent that from happening....even replacing it at 50k wouldnt justify it on the money side.

I am at 50k now, and the trans doesnt slip or complain, so might make it to 100k or even more maybe

knock on FRP...

[PeteC]

One thing that needs consideration is "margin". In the aerospace industry that is the "cushion" you have to protect you when things go wrong or an unexpected event occurs.

Like when someone pulls out in front of you and you have to slam on the brakes. A vehicle without sufficient margin (ie bigger brakes than are normally needed) may not be able to stop in time.

Or having a semi fly by you, putting a varying side load on the Mac and your tow vehicle. A longer wheelbase as a definite plus to helping maintain control.

It's like always wearing your lifevest or seatbelt all the time. Most of the time you don't need it but when you do it is a lifesaver. Most of the time you don't need those big brakes or wheelbase, but when you do...

As has been mentioned, you can reduce (but not eliminate) the risk by avoiding risky driving conditions. Driver recognition of potentially risky conditions plays a big factor in safety also.

That is what the Space Shuttle does. It does not fly when the conditions are risky (high winds, nearby electrical storms,etc). And it has sensors to detect off-nominal conditions and adjusts to fly a "safer path". The Shuttle could probably fly safely in those conditions 95% of the time, but it is not worth the risk.

There is a cost associated with having an "overdesigned" tow vehicle. It cost more to buy and operate. It is not as fun to drive. It may have other limitations compared to a smaller vehicle.

Please consider ALL these factors when choosing your tow vehicle.

[Terry]

So there are those that risk towing with something referred to as 'marginal' then there are those that tow with something that might be called 'overkill', I believe we really need to know what is acceptable and safe without having to use a 'WhiteFreightliner' yet not going so marginal as to endanger the lives of others. What vehicles out there can we call adequate without them falling into the marginal or overkill categories?
I think we could start with a class 3 towing package and go from there.