Vehicle suspension upgrades for 17000lb camper?

[luv2xcheck]

I have a 2016 Honda Odyssey. What upgrades should I do to tow? Right now I'm thinking Timbrens and a transmission cooler. Anything else I should consider? We will mostly be in the flat midwest with the occasional trip to the mountains.
I'm towing a 1700 pound Forest River.

 

[NMroamer]

A Ford F150 would be a nice upgrade.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

17 thousand Lb camper ?? do you add an unwanted zero?

 

[Jimbow]

If you're really thinking 17,000 lbs then you're in one ton truck territory.

If you're at 1,700 then a transmission cooler is a nice addition.

Your payload is about 1,500 pounds. Your hitch will be about 250lbs so you have plenty of room.

 

[MNTCamper]

Tranny cooler, any aftermarket kind is fine. I've traditionally used air bags for my odys. That's really all you need. You won't have any issues towing with that set up. If you tow much, change your tranny fluid once a year. I have 1000s of towing miles on odysseys with our 2800 lb camper and no issues at all.

 

[Grandpa Don]

17 thousand Lb camper ?? do you add an unwanted zero?

Of course he did. But it sure got my attention!

 

[Warfarin]

Must admit I saw the 17000 and immediately said 1 ton dually. And agree tranny cooler would be a good addition.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

In yesteryear, before the age of Korean cars, if you had an american 6 or 8 cylinder with an automatic transission, your tranny fluid ran thru a heat exchanger inside the bottom header tank on your radiator - this was an effective tranny fluid cooler becasue water conducts heat better than air.

Is this not done on modern cars?

 

[Warfarin]

It is but an external cooler is more efficient

 

[xxxapache]

In yesteryear, before the age of Korean cars, if you had an american 6 or 8 cylinder with an automatic transission, your tranny fluid thru a exchanger inside the bottom header tank on radiator - this was an effective tranny fluid becasue water conducts heat better than air.































Is this not done on modern cars?

I have a 1977 F150 my family bought new to tow TT with. It has an auto with a cooler in the radiator. An external cooler was also added. Must work. She still has the original transmission fluid.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

I have a 1977 F150 my family bought new to tow TT with. It has an auto with a cooler in the radiator. An external cooler was also added. Must work. She still has the original transmission fluid.

just out of curiosity - is that the original raditor?

 

[xxxapache]

just out of curiosity - is that the original raditor?

No, but the original was just like it. I forgot to add in my original post that the external is an aftermarket part we added.

 

[davido]

Transmission cooler. Oil cooler. Weight distribution hitch with sway control. Brake controller.

 

[luv2xcheck]

UPDATE: I absolutely meant 1700. I put on new shocks and timbrens (easy diy). It was much much better feeling during towing. I plan to put a trans cooler on it before any big trips. I still have some sag as you can see.

-The sag is still significant enough that I cannot fit my ox block under the jack post (needs about an inch more clearance). I have to jack up the tongue with a car jack and then put it under.
-Also I figured out my tongue weight is 400 and the van is rated for 350. Do I fix that by moving 50 lbs to the rear of the camper?

Anyone have any more suggestions for reducing sag? Would getting a higher hitch help as well?

 

[Sjm9911]

Yes move weight to the back of the camper. Ypu already put bump stops in ? So try a higher hitch also. It will not help with sag but may tow the camper a bit more level so the weight isnt all on the toung. The camper should be level to a little nose down. Hard to tell how yours sits when level.

 

[TSQ]

Anyone have any more suggestions for reducing sag?

Remove the third row seats if you don't need them (5th gen Ody is 10x 14mm hex head bolts, I think your 4th gen is the same), this removes ~150 lbs from the very back of the van. I often remove mine for trips - takes me about 15 mins.

You could lift the back end, but it might end up too nose down when you are not towing: https://traxdaliftkits.com/product/kit-202029-1999-2017-honda-odyssey-2-rear-only/

WDH might be a possibility, but check compatibility with both your Ody (allowed on 5th gen, not sure about 4th gen) and your popup: https://andersenhitches.com/product/weight-distribution-hitch/

But best is to reduce tongue weight. We have similar trailers and loaded up I am about 300 lbs tongue weight.


Edit: clarified seat bolt size

 

[firepit]

1700lbs i suggest a dually diesel
burner...JK i see you added a extra zero on thread title.
1700 is pretty light but better to be safe than sorry so whatever makes you more prepared i say do it if in the budget

 

[Snow]

Remove the third row seats if you don't need them (5th gen Ody is 10x 14mm hex head bolts, I think your 4th gen is the same), this removes ~150 lbs from the very back of the van. I often remove mine for trips - takes me about 15 mins.

You could lift the back end, but it might end up too nose down when you are not towing: https://traxdaliftkits.com/product/kit-202029-1999-2017-honda-odyssey-2-rear-only/

WDH might be a possibility, but check compatibility with both your Ody (allowed on 5th gen, not sure about 4th gen) and your popup: https://andersenhitches.com/product/weight-distribution-hitch/

But best is to reduce tongue weight. We have similar trailers and loaded up I am about 300 lbs tongue weight.
View attachment 91389

Edit: clarified seat bolt size

Noticed your trailer is from NT. Great dealer, bought our Outback there almost 15 years ago.

 

[Snow]

UPDATE: I absolutely meant 1700. I put on new shocks and timbrens (easy diy). It was much much better feeling during towing. I plan to put a trans cooler on it before any big trips. I still have some sag as you can see.

-The sag is still significant enough that I cannot fit my ox block under the jack post (needs about an inch more clearance). I have to jack up the tongue with a car jack and then put it under.
-Also I figured out my tongue weight is 400 and the van is rated for 350. Do I fix that by moving 50 lbs to the rear of the camper?

Anyone have any more suggestions for reducing sag? Would getting a higher hitch help as well?
View attachment 91383

Are you sure that's a 1700lbs trailer? Looks like either a 10ft box (with 2ft front storage) or a 12ft box with storage. Look at the trailers GVWR , I'm guessing it's closer to a 2800lb trailer loaded ready to camp. (Might be even higher) .

 

[J Starsky]

Must admit I saw the 17000 and immediately said 1 ton dually. And agree tranny cooler would be a good addition.

I saw that and thought "this guy is found his way into the WRONG forum" cause that's steady Glampin' Campin.... F450 territory!