Honda Odessey Towing - Event Date: 06 Mar 2016

Thanks.

OK, a couple of comments and I hope I don't get jumped on too badly:

Our 2016 Ford Escape SE has the 2L Ecoboost (turbocharged) engine. We just took our RP-179 to the dealer today to have the tank supports checked and fixed (there were some places where the threads on the screws were showing and/or one of the screws was bent). We had no problems maintaining 60 MPH (maximum speed for the AeroPlus per the instructions). Mileage shows a definite improvement also over driving without it. Ford recommends (and we used) premium gasoline while towing. It allows the engine to develop more power since it would not have the tendency toward pre-ignition (knocking) that lower grades of gasoline would have, so the engine's computer can tune for more power. Ford specs for the 2L Ecoboost are 240 HP at 5500 rpm and 270 lb.-ft@3000 rpm. Curb weight is @3592 lb.

If your engine is naturally aspirated, there is not much you can do. While the Honda site specs the engine at 248 hp@5700 rpm and 250 lb.-ft-lb.@4800 rpm, the Honda also starts out with a curb weight of 4581 lb. This is about 1000 lb. more than my Escape. The naturally aspirated engine of the Honda also does not have quite as much punch as the turbocharged 2L of the Escape, even though it has two more cylinders.

Unfortunately, the only thing you can do is to find a vehicle more suited for towing your R-Pod than the Honda. You will take a beating, but if it is very low mileage, you might not take quite so much a beating since one of the selling points of Honda is that they are supposed to retain value better than some other brands. I don't know if you would be able to rent a vehicle for towing. That would be best asked of the rental companies. The cost of renting a car might be significantly more than the hit you would take if you were to trade it.

Your transmission seems to has 6 speeds, but with only 248hp/250tq , and respectively all your power comes at 5700RPM/4700RPM, you will have to keep the tranny in one lower gear (5th) while towing. You will never be able to run in the tallest gear, and if you stay in D (Drive) it will hunt. You might even be limited to towing 55-60 mph. At lower rpm's, the Honda V6 is not making peak HP or Torque. If you can stand to drive 55 mph, I recommend it to save the engine from overworking. Use premium fuel when towing to make the most power.

Originally posted by ToolmanJohn Your transmission seems to has 6 speeds, but with only 248hp/250tq , and respectively all your power comes at 5700RPM/4700RPM, you will have to keep the tranny in one lower gear (5th) while towing. You will never be able to run in the tallest gear, and if you stay in D (Drive) it will hunt. You might even be limited to towing 55-60 mph. At lower rpm's, the Honda V6 is not making peak HP or Torque. If you can stand to drive 55 mph, I recommend it to save the engine from overworking. Use premium fuel when towing to make the most power.  I can attest to what a difference the engine/transmission combo makes. I had a 2003 Toyota 4runner, 4.0 6cyl, 235hp/282tq, with a 4 speed automatic. It could NOT hold 4th gear (OD) at 55 mph or higher towing my 177. Forcing it into 3rd, I could pull 65 mpg on the flats at about 3100+ rpm, but had to back off on any hills or risk sending it into 2nd and ridiculous RPM territory. Towing taught me to not be in a hurry.  In contrast, my diesel 3.0 liter TDI has 240hp/406tq. 8 speed automatic. I do not have to take it out of drive. 90% of my tow trip is in overdrive at about 2000 rpm.  The only time it downshifts is pulling climbs, and never below 6th, about 3200 rpm.