Towing an Odyssey 4 Down?

[Skipper 05MA]

Honda stopped recommending towing the Odyssey with the introduction of the 2006 model. I looking for input from anyone towing an 06 or newer.

[Cat320]

Wonder why they stopped recommending it for towing? Must be a reason, either they changed something in the transmission or maybe do not want the warranty hassles involved with towing. My CRV has a section in the manual that tells how/what to do when towing. If Honda doesn't recommend it...I would not do it...JMHO.

[bluepill]

The V-6 Odysseys ('99 & up) have had a lot of transmission failures. Honda has usually done the right thing and paid full or partial reimbursement up to 100K miles or more, even though original warranty was 3/36. They also got hit with claims on early CRV's that had failures due to 4 down towing. My guess is that they just want to cover their tails. That said, it's a $4000+ expense to swap in a factory rebuilt transmission, so you may want to consider other options.

[Snomas1]

I've been towing an 04 Odyssey since I bought it new. Has 35 K towing mi and 108000 mi on ODO. No problems w/ trans so far. It's important to follow correct shift patterns.

[zzzs]

I've been towing a 2006 Odyssey 4 down with no problems for 10,000 miles.
Idle engine every 250 miles while towing, Change trans fluid with oil change.
Always start off with idle engine and shift from 1,2,d,n leave key in on position turn off all accessories, and i use a negative battery post disconnect switch.

My Odyssey is an LX model.

[K-Star]

If the manufacturer withdrew their recommendation regarding towing 4 down, why even ask unless you don't care about the warranty?

[SmokeyWren]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipper 05MA Honda stopped recommending towing the Odyssey with the introduction of the 2006 model. I looking for input from anyone towing an 06 or newer.

My Owner's Guide for my 2009 Odyssey EX-L says it is not designed to be towed. For emergency towing when the front wheels have to be on the ground, there are some preliminary steps before you tow, then max speed is 35 MPH for a max of 50 miles.

So if you need to tow your wonderful van, then invest in a two-wheel dolly, and put the front tires of the Odyssey on that dolly.

[Mr_D]

We bought an '05 Ody EX-L in late Dec. '04, AFTER getting it in writing on Honda letterhead that it was towable four down. I got a free bracket setup from RoadMaster for letting them use it as a test fitting vehicle. Towed it about 300 miles then started seeing chatter on the Internet about Honda rescinding that. After some back and forth with Honda I got a call literally as we were hooking up to leave saying it was NOT approved for four down towing. So I took the Jeep instead.

I did get Honda to pay us enough to buy a Kar Kaddy 460 dolly and I've used it since.

BUT, I've talked to enough owners and seen them towed enough to see that it's USUALLY not a problem so I'm just starting to tow ours four down. Right now I've only towed it about 500 miles. 300 before the phone call telling us not to and 200 in the last two months or so.

In the letter of approval they gave the four down towing instructions, they are the same as the CR-V. I had a new key made that doesn't have the electronics in it that I leave in the ignition to unlock the steering column.

And yes, Honda has had transmission failures, not even from towing so they extended the warranty on the transmission to 7 years or 100,000 miles.

In 2005 we asked about a buy back and getting a '05 Pilot, Honda told us it was not approved either, now they have changed that and it is approved but still none of the Ody's from '05 on. '04 and older ARE OK to tow.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipper 05MA Honda stopped recommending towing the Odyssey with the introduction of the 2006 model. I looking for input from anyone towing an 06 or newer.

NOPE, it was the 2005 and newer that they stopped allowing four down towing. I went all through that with their attorneys and the WA and CA's AG offices in '05

[LindyT]

Sorry for the bump - I'm curious if the OP found any additional information. My wife and I are looking at a 2012 Odyssey Touring. Blue Ox makes a base plate for it, but it appears Honda doesn't support towing of it.

I'm unclear if it's because people do not follow instructions or if it will actually damage the trans regardless of method. If the former, I'm not overly concerned and will risk voiding the warranty on the transmission. If the latter, I'll look at another domestic who better support flat-towing.


Thanks for any info!