2005-2006 Honda Odyssey Towing Capacity (Helpful Guide)
Different car companies have different specs and capacities. You have to check specific car models to see if there are any differences. Each car company adds different towing capacities to different model series. You do not know what you can tow without that towing capacity scorecard.
In Honda’s Odyssey case, the towing capacity will be the same from 2005 up to 2010. In other words, you can apply the same restrictions for 6 years, and that is if there is one person in the car, you can tow up to 3500 pounds.
To learn more about the towing capacity of the Honda Odyssey, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know if you are owning or thinking of buying one of these models of cars. That is if you like or need to tow something.
Odyssey Towing Capacity 101
How Much Can a 2006 Honda Odyssey Tow?
As you can see by the chart, the towing capacity goes down in relation to the number of passengers you have inside the car. If you want to fine-tune your towing weight, you may adjust the 150 pounds to fit your kids’ actual weight, etc.,
The heavier you or your family members are over that benchmark figure, reduce the trailer weight by the same amount. Math will be needed when calculating the total weight of your passengers. Also, do not forget the weight of the supplies and gear you are bringing along.
Reduce your towing capacity by the total amount you are packing in the trailer or back of the Odyssey.
2006 Odyssey Tow Package
The tow package does not usually include the hitch. What is important is to have the power steering and the transmission coolers installed before you place the hitch on the rear of the car.
These two items are necessary if you want to reach the numbers listed in the chart above. Without the tow package, the towing capacity goes down to 2,000 pounds with one person and then subtract 150 pounds for every added passenger.
In some Odyssey models, the company says do not attempt to tow when you have 8 people in the car. That is even with the tow package installed. You will need a brake controller, trailer wiring, and a good hitch added to your vehicle to tow. All need to be purchased separately.
2006 Honda Odyssey Tow Hitch
Some owners are saying you need a class II hitch to tow safely. However, other owners point out that Honda requires a load distribution hitch, also called a weight-distribution hitch, and that is a class III trailer hitch.
The company also recommends a surge or electric style trailer brake system as well as a top-notch wire package to be installed. Their tow package comes with a 4 pin harness, but you may need to upgrade that to a 7 pin. It will depend on you if that takes place.
When it comes time to know when to use a regular class II hitch or a class III WDH, all you have to do is check the weight. If the trailer is going to be 1900 pounds or over, you need the class III hitch.
2006 Odyssey Trailer Wiring
These are rather inexpensive and can be found on sale for about $30 to $40, depending on where you shop. Their regular price is over $60, which still isn’t that expensive.
The good news is that you have several wiring options to choose from, making it simple to get the right trailer wiring system for your specific Odyssey model. The systems are called a 4 pole flat, and there are different brand names to choose from.
They should all be plug-and-play type connections helping you to avoid cutting and splicing as well as taping. That makes installation a lot simpler and gets you on the road quicker.
2006 Honda Odyssey Trailer Light fuse Location
One owner stated that the fuse location is on the passenger side fuse box and #5 fuse location is where you place the fuse. He also stated that the size of the fuse should be 7.5 amp.
We double-checked this information, and there is an interior fuse box on the passenger side, and the #5 spot is not used under normal driving circumstances. So you have the empty slot available to plug in your trailer wiring fuse. The amp size is not stated on the diagram, so a 7.5 amp should be okay to use.
We will give you the link to the different fuse box locations if you need to track down the locations of other fuses. Just click here to find that website.
How Much Can a 2005 Honda Odyssey Tow?
Honda did not make many changes to its auto series vehicles. From 2005 to 2010, the towing capacity remained the same at 3500 pounds maximum. That rating is if you are the lone occupant of the vehicle.
The chart above will give you the towing capacity for your vehicle when you add more passengers. The 2011 to 2017 models also have the same towing capacities outlined in that chart, except that towing is not recommended when you put that 8th person inside the vehicle.
Do some planning ahead and see what will work for you and your family. If it is just the two of you, then you can tow a fairly nice camper behind your Odyssey and have a great time out on the road.
2005 Odyssey V6 Towing Capacity
The towing capacity does not change for this size of the motor. The same towing package is required to reach the 3500-pound benchmark. That towing package includes surge or electric trailer brakes, brake controller, WD hitch, power steering, and transmission fluid cooler.
Without the towing package, your towing capacity goes down to about 2000 pounds or less. If you have a large family, it may be time to upgrade to a bigger vehicle if you want to tow a camper or other trailer.
Just make sure you do the math accurately, as you do not want to damage your car while on the road. Being overweight is not a good idea, even if you are close to the maximum limit.
2005 Honda Odyssey Touring Towing Capacity
It won’t matter which trim you own, as the towing package is the same for all trims of Honda Odyssey. This towing package focuses on your power steering and transmission fluids and keeps them cool.
When they overheat, you may pick up a fire-like odor coming from under the hood. Even with the towing package, if you put 7 people inside the car, you will lose about half the towing capacity that other models enjoy. See underneath the chart above to get the accurate figure.
To get the tongue weight correct, you start by placing 60% of the load towards the front. Once that is done, you simply adjust the load distribution until the tongue weight is correct.
2005 Honda Odyssey Towing Package
It’s a good idea to have it installed in your model if it did not come with it. Some owners have stated that they had to install the package themselves as Honda did not seem to make this a standard feature.
While tow packages can be a bit on the expensive side, this is not where you want to cut costs. Go with the top-quality options to have a safer vacation or trip. All the towing package features are the same as it is with the Touring models.
It is best to get the professionals to install it but double-check their work just in case.
Some Final Words
Using your Honda Odyseey for towing a nice trailer is a good idea. It is a safe, reliable vehicle to use, and it should hold your family comfortably inside. Just make sure to brush up on your math skills to attach the right trailer.
Also, make sure your vehicle is equipped with the ow package before you buy it. That way, you can save a little money and use it on other important items you need for your journey.
