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Toads

Yahoo Message Number: 18497
This is getting interesting. Thanks, Dave, for the Honda info. I have been shopping for a new Odyssey (06) for my next toad. The Odyssey meets our needs due the increased hauling capacity and storage of our outdoor goodies. I have seen many Odysseys being pulled all over the country, I suppose jeopardizing their warranty on the drive train. Does anyone know if the owners Manuel of the Odyssey, or other Honda's, specifically says that towing flat is prohibited and will void the warranty? If it doesn't specifically say this, I would think that you would have a good case, if in fact you did need transmission service. I was in the insurance business for 29 years and the first thing you do to see if something is covered is to look to see if it is excluded. If it is not excluded, you assume it may be, then read the fine print. If anyone out there has a 05-06 Odyssey, I would appreciate you looking at your owners Manuel and let me know what you find out. This no warranty on the transmission of the Honda products is raining on my parade. I bought a new Saturn Vue two years ago due to it having the Honda V6 engine and being flat towable. Now, it's too little for all my toys. Keep the Honda info coming.

R. D. Vanderslice
Rockwall, Texas

06 Allure 470- 31294

04 Saturn Vue (Honda powered 250 h.p. flat towable rocket)

Re: Toads

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18498
In '05 the model changed. What you may be seeing are pre 2005 Odyssey's. I received very specific written information on how to set up my 2002 before towing and I follow the sequence exactly. As I recall there is no information in my owners manual referring to towing four down which is why I called Honda direct. My dealer in 2002 had no information and took a hands off approach.

David

Re: Toads

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18500
Hi All,

We have towed an 05 Honda Odyssey for the past 3 or 4 months. We received information thru the dealer (in Corona, Ca.) that was faxed directly from Honda in regard to towing four wheels down. I pull the 40 amp accessory fuse and set the gears by going from park to first and from first the neutral (as per Honda direct). So far I have towed this Odyssey 3k miles with no problems. If I do not pull the fuse, the battery will be dead when I get where I am going. I have only done that once, once was enough. We love our Odyssey and I am having an M&G brake system installed in Eugene next week, Hitch Pro and Tow has aready done a couple of 05's, just talk with Ken. His number is 541-434-2403. Hope this helps,

Dale Hollick 05 Affinity #6370

Re: Toads

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18501
Hi All, This is where we all have to think like lawyers.

 Remember those little words on the sales brochure, "ABC company reserves the right to change specifications and prices without notice"!

 It seems to me Honda is changing it's position as indicated by the document in my hands dated August 2005.

 At this point no one appears to be saying you can or can't tow the '06. What is directly implied is that they will not honor warranty work if it has been towed four down. They would no doubt argue that the vehicle was not used as intended.

 The other factor to consider is the cost of a new transmission. If you love the vehicle and plan to keep it, just put aside $5K or so in a rainy day savings account and go ahead and enjoy yourselves. $5K is a lot of money but don't forget we have chosen a lifestyle that is expensive, depreciation on the coach is far more then that, yet we accept it as "a cost of doing business".

 One last comment. There a many certified used Honda vehicles on the market. Consider this arena to find a nice used one. The money you save can be put into that rainy day account I mentioned.

David & Karen
2000 Intrigue 11062
40 ft Single slide. PT
2002 Odyssey TOAD

Re: Toads

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18502
Also don't forget to consider the major hassle of having a potentially unreliable towed vehicle during a trip and when you arrive at your destination. It is difficult to put a price on such a reliability factor.

Tom Fisher
Dallas, TX

Re: Toads

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18503
Recently purchased an '05 Acura MDX to replace our '97 Suburban Toad. Haven't towed the Acura yet, but it has the same drivetrain as the Honda Pilot and it clearly describes the steps necessary to tow 4 down, in the owners manual. By the way....if anyone is interested in this '97 Sub....she is set up to tow with M&G brake system and a driveline disconnect (works good). See my profile for a picture.

Enjoy.
Mike

95 Intrigue 10061

Re: Toads

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18504
On one of the Newmar boards on Yahoo, a guy by the name of Deen asked Honda about towing the Odessy. They said it was OK, he purchased it, then they said it wasn't OK. I think he is in the process of getting them to buy it back now.

Newmar-dp-owners@yahoogroups.com
HTH,

Steve Harrie
St. George, UT
'86 Bluebird PT38

Re: Toads

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18505
Dave, would you mind faxing me a copy of that document, I would really appreciate it. My fax number is 972-771-4154 (no cover sheet needed). I'm familiar with the differences in the 05 and 06 models as compared to prior years. I have seen several 05's being pulled. In fact a couple we met at the factory had one. I can't remember their names but they had two two cats and she sold magnetic jewelry and I believe they had a new Intrigue. Very nice couple and they thought thier new 05 Odyssey was great.
R. D.

Re: Toads

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18506
Mike, I'm pretty sure the Odyssey has the exact same chassis as your MDX (also Honda Pilots). Can't understand why Honda is taking a U turn.
Some might wonder why we love the mini vans so much, why not a SUV. The answer is simple, it makes no difference to some, but to some of us it is extremely important. The long wheel base Chrysler mini vans and the Honda Odyssey have a lot more maximum cargo space than the largest SUV made, the Ford Expedition. The Chrysler products have the most and the Honda Odyssey next. The Expeditions are huge, as are other full size SUV's, but they won't haul (inside) near as much as the mini vans. I haul three high performance (expensive) bicycles plus hiking gear, etc. and a bunch of other toys. The mini vans are like having the bikes in the garage. You sure don't want them out in the weather and also highly theft prone.

R. D. Vanderslice
Rockwall, Texas

06 Allure 470 - 31294

Re: Toads

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18508
Dennis, sorry, the Excursion is the largest SUV. Got my Fords mixed up. The Excursion has almost as much maximum cargo space as the Odyssey. but not quite. Thanks for the correction.
R. D. Vanderslice
Rockwall, Texas

06 Allure 470 - 31294

Re: Toads

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18517
RD, I don't have a working FAX at my present location but will send it when I get into town.

 David
 

Re: Toads

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18518
Thanks Dave. I'm in the hunt for a 06 Odyssey, but will settle for an 05 if they are o.k. warranty wise to flat tow. I know there have been no mechanical changes, but sounds like Honda may have had too many warranty claims and are going to back out. I don't know if you saw the thread from Jim Steck who said that his 05 Odyssey book said that you could not tow flat, but he says he has a letter from Honda saying it is o.k.. Thanks in advance for taking the time to fax me your info.
R. D.