Parts to Equip 2015 Honda Odyssey to Tow 2017 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1700BH Travel Trailer  

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Winnebago's 2017 Micro Minnie 1700BH single axle travel trailer has a gross weight (GVWR) of 3800-lbs which is the most the trailer can weigh when loaded up for a trip. This means full water and propane tanks, all your food and supplies in place, etc.

The towing spec for the 2015 Honda Odyssey shows a maximum allowable trailer weight of 3500-lbs. This towing capacity presumes the car has only 2 occupants and the capacity drops as more passengers and cargo are added to the vehicle. If you do not load the trailer to its absolute maximum weight you will be within the car's towing limit.

While it is not possible to bolt-on additional towing capacity to any vehicle it is possible to reduce some of the thermal stress on the transmission and engine caused by towing. Auxiliary transmission, oil and power steering coolers all help reduce the stress on the car from towing the trailer's weight. The first priority is the transmission since this is the part of the Odyssey that first feels the effect of the trailer weight.

I recommend the Derale Class III transmission cooler # D13503. This installs in the transmission fluid return line between the radiator and the transmission. After the fluid is first cooled in the OEM cooler that it inside the radiator, it will flow through this plate-fin cooler before returning to the transmission. For a combination trans/oil cooler we have the Derale Combination Transmission and Engine Oil Cooler # D15902 which is both an engine oiler cooler and transmission cooler in one. For a power steering fluid cooler you can use Derale 4-pass model # D13212.

Towing the Winnie will require a hitch such as the Draw-Tite Class III # 75270 which bolts on with no drilling. You will also need a trailer brake controller such as the Prodigy P3 # 90195 and the wiring to install it. Kit # ETBC7 includes all the items needed to wire the Prodigy and will install along with basic 4-pole wiring kit # 118521.

The only other things you might add are a ball mount kit # EBMK4 and a set of towing mirrors such as # KS3891-2 from K-Source. These clip on to your factory mirrors and give you a better view of the trailer behind you.

Several helpful videos and articles are linked for you to show the installation processes for the items noted above.

expert reply by: Adam R

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