I have a 2007 Honda Odyssey, I am wanting to pull a pop-up camper weighing around 3000 pounds, fully loaded. Question is, do I need electric brakes and/or weight distributing hitch or can I tow safely without. Thanks for all your help.

 

welcome to the forum. I believe the pop-up camper weight is dristributed evenly, but a weight distributing hitch does help. each state towing is different with weight. when I towed light or heavy, I made sure it had a braking system of some kind that if the trailer separated for any reason, it will stop quickly. I have personally seen 2 different trailers that was separated from their towing equipt. one was a boat and trailer and it went sailing off the I-5 into the gully airborne, no one hurt. The next was a trailer with a mobile trailer, the towing vehicle landed up on its side, the trailer went into the path of several cars due to no brake lock up and it was not a good site.

 

If you're looking for a weight distribution hitch they have some nice ones at Reese Hitches. Make sure to type in the year, make & model of your Honda to find the right fit.

 

I'm getting ready to set up a 2015 Odyssey to pull a 3000 pound popup. The Honda owners manual says NOT to use a weight distribution hitch. The tongue weight is 282 pounds, plus what ever get stored in the back of the van. This makes no sense to me. I have extensive experience towing and using these types of hitches. So, why this statement from Honda?

 

taking a guess, Honda does not want you to drive with an overloaded trailer that the weight distribution hitch corrects but the weight in reality is oveloaded for the ody.. if you wrecked with a weight distribution hitch, the hwy patrol may write it up as and overload and you now can sue Honda or if it was involved in a few other cars, they all would sue Honda for not stating to not use a weight distribution hitch.