2008 Honda Odyssey Owner's Manual - Page 399

Main Menu Table Of Contents 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. Load Limits 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. Total Trailer Weight: The maximum allowable weight of the trailer and everything in or on it depends on several factors. See page 397 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. 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. 396 2008 Odyssey