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jdsvatek's avatar
jdsvatek
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014

flat towing 2014 Honda Odyssey

We have been flat towing our '07 Honda Pilot with no trouble for a few years despite it not being endorsed by Honda. Now we are purchasing a '14 Honda Odyssey to be our new dinghy. Does anyone have experience towing the new generation vans? (Again Honda does not recommend it, but...). Also, are there any different procedures to be used with the keyless ignition systems being used?

I should have prefaced:
I am paralyzed from the chest down but am able to drive a wheelchair accessible van and a modified 36' Holiday Rambler. After owning 3 class C motorhomes over the years, a severe injury landed me in a power wheelchair a few years ago. Rather than giving up on the RV lifestyle, we realized up-sizing to a class A was necessary, and with it, having to tow a dinghy; a new experience for me. Having a wheelchair accessible dinghy will allow me the freedom and independence many of you take for granted. Without it, I'm dependent on my wife for driving the tow vehicle and loading my wheelchair on the back.

The choice of vans is slim; only Toyota, Dodge/Chrysler, and Honda vans are modified for my needs. Because Honda was the only one towable four down in the past, I just wanted to know if this is still possible.

8 Replies

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  • 3kids's avatar
    3kids
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2014
    I went to the remco site. If you select 2013 Odyssey with the EX or EX-L trim, it shows it as a 5 speed auto and has the same emergency tow procedure as the older models. If you choose the Touring edition the 6 speed auto shows up and the comment about using a dolly. Depends on the trim.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2014
    fcooper wrote:
    Let me say that my comments are from only limited knowledge and a little research on the Remco Towing site. If you want to look at the Remco site, here's the link:
    Remco Towing

    By trying their selector software for the various models, it appears that somewhere about 2009-2011, honda went to a 6 speed transmission for some Odyssey's. Here's what Remco says about the 2008 with the 5 speed transmission:
    Officially from both Honda and REMCO the vehicle is not towable. However, we at Remco have a large number of customers who are flat-towing that vehicle behind their Motor Home and they are not having any issues. Follow the "Emergency Towing" procedures in the owner's manual to a "T" except ignore the restrictions and follow those procedures each and every time you tow. NOTE: If you choose tow your Honda, and have any damage to the Transmission as a result, you will have to pay for that expense out of pocket. It is nothing that Honda or Remco will warranty. Also, it should be noted that Remco sells no aftermarket product (Lube Pump or otherwise) to make this car towable.

    When you look at Remco's writeup for the 2011 model with the 6 speed, it changes to this:
    2011 Honda Odyssey Touring FWD V6 3.5L cyl 6 Speed Automatic MV2A
    Notes

    Must be towed on a tow dolly



    If you have not already purchased the 2014 Odyssey, you might want to do a little more research. If it is available with the 5 speed transmission, then it might possibly be towable. You need a Honda transmission expert who will talk with you "off the record".

    Could you use the Chrysler products van with a remco pump? I could not find a 2014 Chrysler products on Remco's site, but here's what they publish for a 2013:

    2013 Chrysler Town & Country Touring-L FWD V6 3.6L cyl 6-Speed Automatic 62TE
    Notes

    Vehicle can be flat towed with Lube Pump Kit. Vehicle cannot be flat towed from Manufacturer as is.



    I hope this info helps, or maybe points you in the right direction.

    Fred


    I hope so too
    bumpy
  • fcooper's avatar
    fcooper
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2014
    Let me say that my comments are from only limited knowledge and a little research on the Remco Towing site. If you want to look at the Remco site, here's the link:
    Remco Towing

    By trying their selector software for the various models, it appears that somewhere about 2009-2011, honda went to a 6 speed transmission for some Odyssey's. Here's what Remco says about the 2008 with the 5 speed transmission:
    Officially from both Honda and REMCO the vehicle is not towable. However, we at Remco have a large number of customers who are flat-towing that vehicle behind their Motor Home and they are not having any issues. Follow the "Emergency Towing" procedures in the owner's manual to a "T" except ignore the restrictions and follow those procedures each and every time you tow. NOTE: If you choose tow your Honda, and have any damage to the Transmission as a result, you will have to pay for that expense out of pocket. It is nothing that Honda or Remco will warranty. Also, it should be noted that Remco sells no aftermarket product (Lube Pump or otherwise) to make this car towable.

    When you look at Remco's writeup for the 2011 model with the 6 speed, it changes to this:
    2011 Honda Odyssey Touring FWD V6 3.5L cyl 6 Speed Automatic MV2A
    Notes

    Must be towed on a tow dolly

    If you have not already purchased the 2014 Odyssey, you might want to do a little more research. If it is available with the 5 speed transmission, then it might possibly be towable. You need a Honda transmission expert who will talk with you "off the record".

    Could you use the Chrysler products van with a remco pump? I could not find a 2014 Chrysler products on Remco's site, but here's what they publish for a 2013:

    2013 Chrysler Town & Country Touring-L FWD V6 3.6L cyl 6-Speed Automatic 62TE
    Notes

    Vehicle can be flat towed with Lube Pump Kit. Vehicle cannot be flat towed from Manufacturer as is.



    I hope this info helps, or maybe points you in the right direction.

    Fred
  • jdsvatek's avatar
    jdsvatek
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2014
    To BumpyRoad and others who might have been less than helpful, even unkind in your comments, this is John's wife. He has worked very hard to ensure that our dream of travelling by RV in our retirement was not shattered when his spine was 8 years ago. He does more from his wheelchair than many "able-bodied" people. If you cannot answer the question with helpful information, perhaps you should keep your opinions to yourselves.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2014
    super_camper wrote:
    If the deal on the odyssey isn't done and you plan to tow regularly I would look at different vehicles. There are many very nice vehicles out there that are towable 4-down so why chose one that isn't?


    smarter words were never spoken.
    bumpy
  • super_camper's avatar
    super_camper
    Explorer
    Apr 10, 2014
    jdsvatek wrote:
    We have been flat towing our '07 Honda Pilot with no trouble for a few years despite it not being endorsed by Honda. Now we ware purchasing a '14 Honda Odyssey as our new dinghy. Does anyone have experience towing the new vans? (Again Honda does not recommend it, but...). Also, are there any different procedures to be used with the keyless ignition systems being used?
    If the deal on the odyssey isn't done and you plan to tow regularly I would look at different vehicles. There are many very nice vehicles out there that are towable 4-down so why chose one that isn't?
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2014
    vic46 wrote:
    And,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, what happens to the manufacturer warranty if you tow the Odyssey?


    he likes to live dangerously.
    bumpy
  • vic46's avatar
    vic46
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2014
    And,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, what happens to the manufacturer warranty if you tow the Odyssey?

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