Will the Tongue Weight Capacity of a 2007 Honda Odyssey Increase with a Higher Rated Hitch
Question:
Hello! I am trying to assist my parents in modifying their 2007 Honda Odyssey to be able to use a trailer with a lift for a powerchair. As I understand it, the chair is ~320 pounds, and the lift is ~100 pounds. The folks at the VA indicated that the Odyssey does not have enough tongue weight to be able to manage such a thing. My mother seems to think that she needs a new vehicle, but from what Ive read from your website and other points online it seems to me that instead she just needs a Class III Weight Distributing Hitch that will put her over the ~420 pound tongue weight, yes? Am I correct that we could purchase the correct hitch, have someone install it as a WD hitch which I assume would require some welding rather than simply bolting it on because of the WD, and that would meet the requirements? Hopefully that makes sense, and hopefully you can tell me whether Ive got it correct or all wrong! Thank you!
asked by: Eric H
Expert Reply:
Whenever you are towing, the weight capacity of your towing setup is limited by the lowest rated component. When I looked up the towing weight capacity of your 2007 Honda Odyssey it looks like the max trailer weight it could tow (with just one passenger in the vehicle) is 3,500 lbs. Since vehicle manufacturers typically state that the tongue weight (TW) of the trailer needs to be 10% of the weight of the trailer; that means your TW rating is 350 lbs.
Trailer hitch manufacturers rate their hitches separate from the vehicles that they fit. Even though the Draw-Tite # 75270 has a TW capacity of 675 lbs, your Odyssey has a lower TW rating you are limited to the 350 lb TW even if you were to use a weight distribution system.
If you are towing a trailer then you should be good to go but it sounds like you are using more of a cargo carrier type of setup which puts all of the weight on the tongue. If this is the case then the people at the VA are most likely correct and you will be overloading your vehicle. You can double check the TW rating of your Odyssey in your owner's manual or by checking with your local Honda dealer using your VIN.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 675 lbs TW
- 4500 lbs GTW
- 5000 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 675 lbs WD TW
- Visible Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Video: Best 2007 Honda Odyssey Trailer Wiring Options
- Search Results: transmission cooler
- Search Results: plunger and socket
- Shop: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Q&A: Best Trailer Hitch Receiver and Vehicle Wiring Harness For a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Shop: Base Plate for Tow Bar
- Video: Trailer Brake Controller Installation Wiring Kit Review
- Video: Set up: T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector on a 2007 Honda Odyssey
- Video: Set up: Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets on a 2006 Honda Odyssey
- Shop: Derale Dyno-Cool Tube-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit - Class I - Economy
- Shop: Derale Series 7000 Tube-Fin Cooler Core w/ AN Inlets - Class I - Standard
- Shop: Derale Series 9000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/ NPT Inlets - Class I -Extra Efficient
- Shop: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Shop: Derale Dyno-Cool Tube-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit - Class II - Economy
- Video: In-Depth Review of the Flex-a-lite Transmission Cooler
- Video: 2011 Honda Odyssey Derale Dyno-Cool Tube-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit: Complete Installation
- Video: Mount: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver on a 2008 Honda Odyssey
- Q&A: Manufacturing Information on Hitch 87479 for 2006 Honda Odyssey
- Q&A: Trailer Hitch and Wiring Recommendation for 2015 Honda Odyssey
- Q&A: Does Routing of Air Line Point Up or Down When Installing Air Lift kit AL60815
- Q&A: Should The Air Lift Air Helper Springs Have Some Sort Of Spacer When Installed 2012 Honda Odyssey?
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: trailer wiring
on Trailer Hitch
