Hybrid at or under 3500 lbs

[Mikepaul8]

Hello everyone, I am in the market for a hybrid camper but am struggling with my search. I am currently a tent camper but would like to upgrade to a hybrid The problem is I am towing with a 2011 Honda Odyssey with a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. Is anyone aware of a hybrid under this weight.

Thanks

[3ontheGo]

Keep in mind that a 3,500 "towing capacity" doesn't actually mean you can tow 3,500 pounds. Use a calculator to know what you can safely tow with your vehicle and load.
http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-trailer-weight-tt.shtml

[galexander]

StarCraft has some smaller Hybrids that may meet your requirements. Just remember as others have said, your cargo carrying weight will be very low.
My Jayco X18D comes in at 3,715 pounds unloaded and 4,400 pounds loaded. I have 685 pounds of cargo load. I use every bit of it with the DW and gear and food and water.
Good Luck in your search.

[ryanb-72]

As others have said Jayco has a few that would probably work. the Jay Feather ultra light SLX 16XRB should fit the bill. If you get out of the SLX models the standard hybrids are wider causing considerably more wind resistance on your TV. We have the X17Z and it was tough on our nissan frontier rated at 5000 before we upgraded our tow vehicle.
Good Luck!

[LakeN]

It's not a hybrid, but my neighbors tow a Parkliner "egg" camper with their Odyssey. May want to look at Scamps, Casita, etc. You may have kids and need the hybrid space tho. Just a thought.....

[rwbradley]

I have the Kodiak 181e, it is abt 3500 and 21'. If you have WD hitch it will help a lot. My father has been pulling an Airstream Bambi (heavier than my Kodiak) behind an Odyssey for about a decade. He has put abt 50,000km towing on the Odyssey with the trailer, including several trips thru the Rockies. The dealer reinforced the hitch, put in a Tranny cooler, and upgraded the Rad and Alternator.

[bikendan]

Be aware that nearly all hybrids with GVWR's of the "magic" 3500lbs., targeted for the minivan/CUV crowd, have extremely low CCC amounts.
Many who buy these hybrids soon find out that can carry very little cargo, after subtracting the weights of the battery, propane, water and "options".
As was said, most hybrids exceed minivans/CUVs frontal area limits.

[atreis]

Jayco has several models within your towing range. The ROOs tend to be heavier for a given length, but the 17 likely is in range.

Some other brands also have models that can be pulled by your Odyssey.

Please keep in mind that the trailer will be heavier than the Dry weight before you load it, and heavier again after you load it. You'll likely want to stick with something in the 2600-3000 lb range. (Towards the lower end of that you plan to take more stuff.) Plan on towing with empty water tanks, and filling at your destination. You can also save weight by carrying little food and buying that at your destination too.

You'll want a good weight distribution hitch.

Tow at 60 mph - plan the time and distance of your trip accordingly. (The tires on the trailer will almost certainly be rated for a max speed of 65 anyway, and the cheap tires used are not known for being over-engineered.)

I've found my Sienna to be a pleasant TV - been towing this trailer for 6 years.

[ChooChooMan74]

One thing, check the maximum frontal area for towing with the Honda. But the smallest I can think of is the Roo 17 and a similar model by Jayco.