Towing A Trailer; Break-In Period; Total Trailer Weight; Tongue Load - Honda 2011 Odyssey Manual

Towing a Trailer

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you carefully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the guidelines
in this section.

Break-In Period

Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle's first 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page 540 ).
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
before starting to drive.
588
Load Limits

Total Trailer Weight:

The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
depends on several factors. See page
589 for the driving limits for your
towing situation. Towing a load that
is too heavy can seriously affect your
vehicle's handling and performance.
It can also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
2011 Odyssey

Tongue Load:

The weight that the
tongue of a fully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight. Too
much tongue load reduces front-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.