Minivan Towing Questions - Sedona, Odessey, Sienna, Et al

mbutts wrote:
I really enjoyed towing our pop-up with our Chrysler minivan. Held the four of us, four bikes (inside!), and still got 17MPG while towing.

As mentioned above, the 3,500 lbs. is only for the models with the factory-installed towing package (mine had a transmission cooler, load leveling, a more robust electrical system for add'l turn signals and brakes), and a few other things I can't recall.

That's great to know. I sort of figured there would be a "towing package" mystery to unravel. This get's down to checking all the used car choices for all those mystical numbering systems for options! I'm guessing not many people order minivans with towing options. BUT, good to know that such is the case. The good gas mileage is another aspect of my choice. I'd rather not get into another 10MPG towing situation.

You didn't mention if you used a WD hitch?

I really enjoyed towing our pop-up with our Chrysler minivan. Held the four of us, four bikes (inside!), and still got 17MPG while towing.

As mentioned above, the 3,500 lbs. is only for the models with the factory-installed towing package (mine had a transmission cooler, load leveling, a more robust electrical system for add'l turn signals and brakes, and a few other things I can't recall).

Thanks for the good comments folks!

Most of the minivans have a payload of about 1500#. My wife and I would account for 300# and then we would have about 200# of stuff in the back. Call it 500#. That should leave 1,000# remaining. I think most tongue weights of small trailers in the 3500 range might be 300# or so. That's why I wondered about WD hitches.

In a previous life we had a big trailer+Suburban+WDhitch and man, we hated that whole BS about lugging heavy bars and the dirt and grease and time to hookup/setup. I really don't want to be in that world of needing a major hand washing after simply hooking up my trailer.

*grabs popcorn*

An AWD crossover would give up some of the interior flexibility due to the drivetrain but would bump your tow capacity up to the 4500-5000 range. From a driving comfort standpoint they would be about the same, but with larger tires and a bit more ground clearance they can be a little more flexible in terms of where you can take them. Obviously they're still pretty limited in that regard but they would still be an upgrade compared to a minivan.

We towed a 3500 lb pop up quite a few miles behind a 2010 Pilot with no WDH and it was a well matched combo (4500 lb tow rating). One thing you'd want to check out is whether you even can use a WDH with your tow vehicle. I'm pretty sure our Pilot's manual says not to use one.

A weight distribution hitch is more about restoring the weight to the front of the vehicle, that is the steering control, than it it about leveling. Mini-vans are built for a comfortable ride and therefore have soft suspensions. That said any small travel trailer will have enough tongue weight that will require you to use a WD hitch.

An Rpod might be doable. What you really have to watch for is the rated payload. Look at the yellow weight sticker in the driver door of your van. There should be something maximum load = x. Subtract your trailer's tongue weight, any cargo you'll carry in your van, the weight of all people and animals. If your cargo and tongue weight goes over the rated payload you have too much weight. Others can explain this better than I am but I hope this helps.