Question about tongue weights

[bikechuck]

I really, really, really want to purchase a Basecamp but only if I can tow it with my Honda Odyssey which several people have told me is doable.

I am not concerned about the 3,500 pound max weight which aligns fine with the towing capacity of the Odyssey. I am concerned about the tongue weight.

I have a hidden hitch receiver and it has a plate on it that says it has a max tongue weight of 350 pounds for a weight carrying ball mount. I called the place that installed my hidden hitch receiver (8 years ago for a bicycle rack) and they told me that for an Odyssey I really should not exceed 350 pounds in tongue weight.

I want this to work but I want to be safe and I am not sure what to believe.

[FCStreamer]

And what is the tongue weight of the Basecamp?

[bikechuck]

Originally Posted by FCStreamer

And what is the tongue weight of the Basecamp?

It is 410 pounds

[55AS]

You might be able to lighten the tongue by loading up the back of the BC. I have no idea how it is configured (like where are tanks, etc.)...

[DaveMc]

I found this link in an old thread: http://www.odyclub.com/forums/. You may find more info there on towing ability. If you google "odyssey airstream airforums" or similar you may find threads that touch on this as well. Most people recommend using google to search these forums for better results. Just add "airforums" to your google search.

FWIW, doesn't look like you'll be in the majority if you decide to do it... Good luck and welcome, by the way! I just traded my Tacoma, which was a really awesome pickup, for a GMC 2500 to tow a 30' Safari. A little overkill, perhaps, but I've wanted a 3/4 ton for various reasons, anyway.

[KSA63]

There is a fellow on here that used to tow his 30+ foot airstream all over the place with a Honda Odyssey. I believe the setup was done by Andy at CanAm in London Ontario.
Beef up your existing hitch a bit or purchase a hitch with a better weight rating and you should be good to go!
Kevin

[B00merang]

Chuck
Check into adding airbags on your rear axle....for about $250 you're doing yourself and your truck a favor. I even had them installed on my Tahoe and 2,500 Suburban, don't like having to worry about being anywhere ner my TV capacity. Safe travels. jon

[rostam]

You can change your hitch receiver. I believe Uhaul installs a class III hitch rated at 5000#/500# trailer/tongue weight. Also, you can buy a Sherline scale to weigh the tongue weight of your Basecamp. If travel ready, your tongue weight is 410#, I don't think Odyssey's suspension would know that extra 60#. If the tongue weight is more, obviously thats a different story.

[Bill M.]

Do not know what year Odyssey is. A quick seaerh showed a Curt class 3 hitch for some years that carries 675 TW and 5000 lbs towing weight when used with a WD hitch. I would upgrade the hitch to tow an Airstream. Personally I would not count on the tongue weight being what the catalog figure is. I personally would not try to lower the tongue weight by moving stuff to the back or by loading more in the back of the trailer. Basically tongue weight is your friend when towing. You should probably check to see if your current hitch takes a WD setup and if it has a higher TW rating with the WD. My take is that you can do what you wish to do with the Odessey if you get the proper hitch.

[greghoro]

Originally Posted by DaveMc

If you google "odyssey airstream airforums" or similar you may find threads that touch on this as well. Most people recommend using google to search these forums for better results. Just add "airforums" to your google search.

If you want to limit your Google search to just airforums, it is more effective to add the following string to the end of your search text,

site:airforums.com

than to include airforums as part of the search text.


Greg

[Cruiser6483]

I live in Switzerland. Here and in the rest of Europe the weight on the hook of passenger cars is limited to 140 Kilo (308,65 lb). For my Airstream (3 tons) I should be 165 - 175 lb.
Greetings - Werner

[Bill M.]

"I live in Switzerland. Here and in the rest of Europe the weight on the hook of passenger cars is limited to 140 Kilo (308,65 lb). For my Airstream (3 tons) I should be 165 - 175 lb.
Greetings - Werner"

Not sure I understand this. But I would not want to set up to European standards and then pull at 70 mph on an American interstate highway in the midwest with the wind. Here for a 6000 lb Airstream you ought to have 600 to 900 lbs tongue weight and a WD hitch. I am not at all sure that you cannot do it safely in other ways, but I know the tongue wt and WD hitch combination will work.