Newbee towing question for our Honda Tech member ...

[NorCalMike]

Hi folks, what a great web site! Found out about it on Edmunds.com.
I recently purchased my second RL. Had my first one for a year and 22,000 miles. I had the AM radio gremlin problem (crackling noises while going over bumps), a rattle or two in the dash, and a weird thing with my brake pads hanging up just a bit after each brake application (brakes squeaked for about ten feet). I chalked all that up to first year glitches. Honda offered to replace my dash harness to eliminate the AM radio problem but I passed. Figured I'd create more rattles. I sold my 06 RTS to CarMax for 22K even. Bought a sedan for gas mileage. Went through serious RL withdrawals and bought an 07 RL RTS for 25,400. Now, for my towing questions. I'm looking at buying a Nash 17C travel trailer that I should be able to keep the weight down to 4,000 pounds. I plan on searching America in hopes of finding the worlds largest frying pan and ball of string. Who knows, might even trying some Letterboxing on the way. Am I looking at any problems attaching an Equalizer weight distribution/sway bar hitch contrary to the owners manual? The tongue weight on the Nash will be 600 pounds without it. Anybody out there have any real world gas mileage stats while towing? Again, great web site!! I have already learned where my electric brake connector is under my dash just by reading this site. Thanks for any information.

[HondaTech]

I would have to recommend against the trailer.... the tongue weight would be too high. Tongue weights are not limited because the truck will break or anything like that, but rather when the hitch is weighed down too much, the suspension sags too far, and the handling is effected. I would have no worries about towing something that exceeded the weight if you were going, say, 10 or 20 miles..... but from the sound of your post, you are planning on towing - a lot. As for fuel mileage - i can only guess, but with a 4000 pound trailer, I'd be surprised at anything more than 8 mpg. Good luck.





HT

[k757]

I am moving this thread to the Hitches section.
Thanks

[NorCalMike]

HT,

Thanks for the insight. You are a wealth of information. Do you think
installing a weight distribution hitch is a bad idea also?

on a side note; I'm a little miffed (is that a word) at my Sacramento dealer. He kinda forgot to mention that they had removed/painted/
and re-installed the rear bumper when my RL had 2 miles on it. Now the gap between the plastic and metal portion of the bed seems extreme along with alot of give in the plastic near the seam. Are there clips that were supposed to be re-installed where the plastic and metal join?

[k757]

Originally Posted by NorCalMike

on a side note; I'm a little miffed (is that a word) at my Sacramento dealer. He kinda forgot to mention that they had removed/painted and re-installed the rear bumper when my RL had 2 miles on it. Now the gap between the plastic and metal portion of the bed seems extreme along with alot of give in the plastic near the seam. Are there clips that were supposed to be re-installed where the plastic and metal join?

Go down to the lot and measure the gap on other trucks there. Plus take someone else with you and have them wiggle the bumpers as you are not a good source right now. The independent person will verify your concern. If they verify your concerns, then voice your beef with the sales person and then the sales manager if you get no where with the sales person.

[Whaleya]

Originally Posted by NorCalMike

I plan on searching America in hopes of finding the worlds largest frying pan and ball of string.

There are 2 largest balls of string. One is by one man and one is by a community. (MN, KS)

-W

[JerseyBlueRidge]

Hi,
Towed a 5x10 enclosed trailer from new jersey to south dakota with 2 people luggage and my harley inside got 10 mpg hope this helps 3700 miles round trip with no trouble pulling the trailer

[L1dws]

Good morning. I'm purchasing a 2007 RTL this weekend and now I have a question. I own a coleman tent trailer that weighs approx 3500lbs. I use a weight distribution hitch on my Odyssey. From the comments above do I need to switch to a different hitch setup....thanks

[beerkat]

Originally Posted by L1dws

Good morning. I'm purchasing a 2007 RTL this weekend and now I have a question. I own a coleman tent trailer that weighs approx 3500lbs. I use a weight distribution hitch on my Odyssey. From the comments above do I need to switch to a different hitch setup....thanks

I tow #4500 on a monthly bases. Plus my truck is load with tools, tires, tent, and and clothes for two for the weekend. I pretty much max out the load limits that are recommended. I have yet to have a problem towing. I can set the cruise control for 70 and get close to 14 mpg on level road.

[livefaith]

Norcal,

Go for it IMHO. Your #s are not going to overtax the RL in any way. Your mileage is going to stink if you travel Interstates etc. Choosing scenic routes will help mileage significantly. I have experienced up to 13mpg in mountainous areas where the avg speed was around 40mph. Less than 10 at 65-70.

I've towed a cargo trailer on business for over 50,000 miles now and my weights have exceeded those you mention. Cargo and tag-a-long campers each have terrible aerodynamics. That's the number one killer of fuel economy.

Now, as far as weight distribution on your camper ... that is a totally different matter that you had better do your homework on before leaving home.