What RV am I looking for? (Newbie)
First off, I am new and glad I found this forum. Hello. My wife and I have backpacked extensively worldwide and we are now in the market for our first RV. We like roughing it with a minimalist ...
Forum Discussion
In fairness, I should caution that the Odyssey takes a good bit of work to make into a good tow vehicle. If you are fairly handy DIY, it's not too expensive. If you pay retail, it's a doozey. A stock minivan will need:
1. An ATF auxiliary cooler ($40 part at e-trailer.com)
2. 2" receiver (I recommend the Curt model at e-trailer for an Odyssey ~$150).
3. T-1 plug n play 4 flat wiring kit for trailer lights (~$35).
4. Custom wiring and harness to install an electric brake controller. This is slightly harder than installing a ceiling fan at home (for level of complexity). ~$60
5. Electric brake controller mounted to the van. ~$130
6. Power steering cooler (I blew this off as the stock one looked fine on our van).
7. Equal-I-zer 400# rated weight distributing hitch (~$500)
Installing it all took me a heavy weekend. Pro install would be probably 3x the price. This is the downside of minivan towing, but it only hits you once. On the plus side, you don't have to try to park a dually in a parking garage when you make a day trip to the city. Towing won't be 28 mpg, but Odyssey really can get that at 65mph freeway when NOT towing. Not in town though. Not close.
1. An ATF auxiliary cooler ($40 part at e-trailer.com)
2. 2" receiver (I recommend the Curt model at e-trailer for an Odyssey ~$150).
3. T-1 plug n play 4 flat wiring kit for trailer lights (~$35).
4. Custom wiring and harness to install an electric brake controller. This is slightly harder than installing a ceiling fan at home (for level of complexity). ~$60
5. Electric brake controller mounted to the van. ~$130
6. Power steering cooler (I blew this off as the stock one looked fine on our van).
7. Equal-I-zer 400# rated weight distributing hitch (~$500)
Installing it all took me a heavy weekend. Pro install would be probably 3x the price. This is the downside of minivan towing, but it only hits you once. On the plus side, you don't have to try to park a dually in a parking garage when you make a day trip to the city. Towing won't be 28 mpg, but Odyssey really can get that at 65mph freeway when NOT towing. Not in town though. Not close.
