Community Forums

woodosgood · 05-17-2021, 09:05 AM

A fellow camper is going to 4 flat tow his Honda Odyssey minivan behind his motorhome and leave the engine running in the Honda keep the transmission lubricated.

Would running the engine open up more vehicles for 4 flat towing? I realize it would use gas, accumulate miles on the odometer, etc. Does anyone do this, specifically with an Odyssey for any other minivan?

We have a 4 flat towable now (2011 Honda Element) but someday it may need replacing and a minivan would be ideal.

twojayhawks · 05-17-2021, 09:29 AM

I can't be positive just having the engine idling will lubricate the transmission. With previous vehicles I have towed it was necessary to stop periodically & start toad but also shift from N to D to R etc. Regardless we tow way too many miles to consider towing a vehicle that needed to be idling while being towed.

NXR · 05-17-2021, 09:34 AM

There are way too many variables between vehicles and also between different model years of the same vehicle to make a blanket statement like that. At a minimum, the "emergency tow" procedures in the owner's manual would apply and those are usually a severely limited speed and distance.

For example, this supposed quote from Honda about a 2001 Odyssey has some info including specific shift sequence and a specific transmission fluid change interval. But 2001 is way earlier than 2021:

https://www.odyclub.com/threads/anyb...23/post-151492

For another example, the CR-V used to be flat towable but in 2015 they switched to a continuously variable transmission and then it wasn't. Would just running the engine allow a CVT vehicle to be flat towed? I doubt anyone knows because there are a lot of other pieces-parts involved. For example, my AWD Equinox MUST have AWD engaged to be flat towed. If AWD is turned off bad things will happen. Expensive things.

Ray

ga traveler · 05-17-2021, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodosgood

A fellow camper is going to 4 flat tow his Honda Odyssey minivan behind his motorhome and leave the engine running in the Honda keep the transmission lubricated.

Would running the engine open up more vehicles for 4 flat towing? I realize it would use gas, accumulate miles on the odometer, etc. Does anyone do this, specifically with an Odyssey for any other minivan?

We have a 4 flat towable now (2011 Honda Element) but someday it may need replacing and a minivan would be ideal.

We just bought a 2014 Honda CRV. Our 2012 civic was destroyed in a hail storm in Gulf Shores. We had to buy a 2014 because that was the last year a Honda can be towed four down.

Persistent · 05-17-2021, 09:56 AM

Idling the engine for hundreds of miles is generally not recommended for any vehicle. Get towing advice from Honda instead.

edge68474 · 05-17-2021, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Persistent

Idling the engine for hundreds of miles is generally not recommended for any vehicle. Get towing advice from Honda instead.

I agree. Idling an engine is hard on them.

wolfe10 · 05-17-2021, 10:05 AM

Even if this would keep the transmission happy (I have no idea and it could certainly vary by make and model) there is another issue.

The amount of dirt stirred up by a coach driving down the highway that will be sucked up into the toad air filter, radiator, etc sure won't help anything.

So, I would see this at most a short term/emergency solution.

ByeTheWay · 05-17-2021, 10:19 AM

According to the manual running the engine while in tow would destroy my transmission.

amosnandy · 05-17-2021, 10:42 AM

If you are driving in the mountains you could start you engine, but it in drive and set the cruse control at 60. It may help you get up the hill.

amosnandy · 05-17-2021, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amosnandy

If you are driving in the mountains you could start you engine, but it in drive and set the cruse control at 60. It may help you get up the hill.

Of course you would have to be ready to jump in the coach and go before you burn the front tires off.

wolfe10 · 05-17-2021, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amosnandy

Of course you would have to be ready to jump in the coach and go before you burn the front tires off.

Good joke.

But, sadly, some may actually try that. Maybe let Darwin win one!

Keith55 · 05-18-2021, 06:46 PM

I accidentally left my F250 idling once. When the patriot 2 applied the brakes the tires stopped dead going 65mph and white smoke was everywhere.

Not my most proud RV moment but no one was hurt!

That sounds like a horrible idea to tow four down while idling. Cant they use a dolly or is it AWD?

Do they have plans to use a braking system?

77Travco · 05-19-2021, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodosgood

A fellow camper is going to 4 flat tow his Honda Odyssey minivan behind his motorhome and leave the engine running in the Honda keep the transmission lubricated.

Would running the engine open up more vehicles for 4 flat towing? I realize it would use gas, accumulate miles on the odometer, etc. Does anyone do this, specifically with an Odyssey for any other minivan?

We have a 4 flat towable now (2011 Honda Element) but someday it may need replacing and a minivan would be ideal.

HaHaHa!!!... Oh man! ... Whew!!!

twinboat · 05-19-2021, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodosgood

A fellow camper is going to 4 flat tow his Honda Odyssey minivan behind his motorhome and leave the engine running in the Honda keep the transmission lubricated.

Would running the engine open up more vehicles for 4 flat towing? I realize it would use gas, accumulate miles on the odometer, etc. Does anyone do this, specifically with an Odyssey for any other minivan?

We have a 4 flat towable now (2011 Honda Element) but someday it may need replacing and a minivan would be ideal.

Tell your friend I let you know how it works out.

He is not the first to do this.