John Rosoff

I want to tow a tent trailer with a Honda Element. My tent trailer has
a gross weight of 1950 pounds. The towing capacity for the vehicle is
1500 pounds. I am 75 years old and "baby" my trucks, and the
transmission has a 30,000 mile or three year warranty. Should I chance
it and buy the Honda Element or am I being dumb (as usual)?
Thanks for a constructive reply,
John
johnrosoff@msn.com

Artfulcodger

John Rosoff wrote:
> I want to tow a tent trailer with a Honda Element. My tent trailer has
> a gross weight of 1950 pounds. The towing capacity for the vehicle is
> 1500 pounds. I am 75 years old and "baby" my trucks, and the
> transmission has a 30,000 mile or three year warranty. Should I chance
> it and buy the Honda Element or am I being dumb (as usual)?
> Thanks for a constructive reply,
> John
> johnrosoff@msn.co

I would say if you are going to "chance" it you best install a transmission
cooler.

I am no towing expert so I can't say if an excess gross weight of 450 lbs
over towing capacity is normal or not.

Without expert advice I would be more inclined to source a vehicle with a
larger capacity.

The Element has a small load capacity of somewehere around 500 to 700 lbs so
you better travel light.

Best of Luck
Mike

Artfulcodger

John Rosoff wrote:
> I want to tow a tent trailer with a Honda Element. My tent trailer has
> a gross weight of 1950 pounds. The towing capacity for the vehicle is
> 1500 pounds. I am 75 years old and "baby" my trucks, and the
> transmission has a 30,000 mile or three year warranty. Should I chance
> it and buy the Honda Element or am I being dumb (as usual)?
> Thanks for a constructive reply,
> John
> johnrosoff@msn.co

I would say if you are going to "chance" it you best install a transmission
cooler.

I am no towing expert so I can't say if an excess gross weight of 450 lbs
over towing capacity is normal or not.

Without expert advice I would be more inclined to source a vehicle with a
larger capacity.

The Element has a small load capacity of somewehere around 500 to 700 lbs so
you better travel light.

Best of Luck
Mike

Keith J

I think the question you need to ask is "what is the tongue weight?" I had
an 1984 Toyota Tercel 4wd wagon (5 spd) and towed one of those pop-up
campers all over the east coast of the US. A whopping engine of about 90
hp. The car did have a "tow package" installed.

I would think that with a tow package (transmission cooler, larger radiator,
etc.) the Element would have no problems towing such a trailer. I am far
from an expert so I would suggest asking your local hitch shop for
confirmation.

-keith




"Artfulcodger" <mcbat@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:3%o%c.256322$UTP.181561@twister01.bloor.is.ne t.cable.rogers.com...
> John Rosoff wrote:
> > I want to tow a tent trailer with a Honda Element. My tent trailer has
> > a gross weight of 1950 pounds. The towing capacity for the vehicle is
> > 1500 pounds. I am 75 years old and "baby" my trucks, and the
> > transmission has a 30,000 mile or three year warranty. Should I chance
> > it and buy the Honda Element or am I being dumb (as usual)?
> > Thanks for a constructive reply,
> > John
> > johnrosoff@msn.co
>
> I would say if you are going to "chance" it you best install a
transmission
> cooler.
>
> I am no towing expert so I can't say if an excess gross weight of 450 lbs
> over towing capacity is normal or not.
>
> Without expert advice I would be more inclined to source a vehicle with a
> larger capacity.
>
> The Element has a small load capacity of somewehere around 500 to 700 lbs
so
> you better travel light.
>
> Best of Luck
> Mike
>
>

Keith J

I think the question you need to ask is "what is the tongue weight?" I had
an 1984 Toyota Tercel 4wd wagon (5 spd) and towed one of those pop-up
campers all over the east coast of the US. A whopping engine of about 90
hp. The car did have a "tow package" installed.

I would think that with a tow package (transmission cooler, larger radiator,
etc.) the Element would have no problems towing such a trailer. I am far
from an expert so I would suggest asking your local hitch shop for
confirmation.

-keith




"Artfulcodger" <mcbat@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:3%o%c.256322$UTP.181561@twister01.bloor.is.ne t.cable.rogers.com...
> John Rosoff wrote:
> > I want to tow a tent trailer with a Honda Element. My tent trailer has
> > a gross weight of 1950 pounds. The towing capacity for the vehicle is
> > 1500 pounds. I am 75 years old and "baby" my trucks, and the
> > transmission has a 30,000 mile or three year warranty. Should I chance
> > it and buy the Honda Element or am I being dumb (as usual)?
> > Thanks for a constructive reply,
> > John
> > johnrosoff@msn.co
>
> I would say if you are going to "chance" it you best install a
transmission
> cooler.
>
> I am no towing expert so I can't say if an excess gross weight of 450 lbs
> over towing capacity is normal or not.
>
> Without expert advice I would be more inclined to source a vehicle with a
> larger capacity.
>
> The Element has a small load capacity of somewehere around 500 to 700 lbs
so
> you better travel light.
>
> Best of Luck
> Mike
>
>

-rick-

"Keith J" wrote ...
>
> I would think that with a tow package (transmission cooler, larger radiator,
> etc.) the Element would have no problems towing such a trailer. I am far
> from an expert so I would suggest asking your local hitch shop for
> confirmation.
>

Don't forget braking ability. Does the trailer have brakes? I learned when a
deer jumped in front of me. Your experience and luck may vary...

-rick-

-rick-

"Keith J" wrote ...
>
> I would think that with a tow package (transmission cooler, larger radiator,
> etc.) the Element would have no problems towing such a trailer. I am far
> from an expert so I would suggest asking your local hitch shop for
> confirmation.
>

Don't forget braking ability. Does the trailer have brakes? I learned when a
deer jumped in front of me. Your experience and luck may vary...

-rick-

130.81.64.196

Do the MATH.............. Then again at 75, the Element could out live you
so gamble!


"John Rosoff" <johnrosoff@msn.com> wrote in message
news:525ea67f.0409071118.e490cfa@posting.google.co m...
> I want to tow a tent trailer with a Honda Element. My tent trailer has
> a gross weight of 1950 pounds. The towing capacity for the vehicle is
> 1500 pounds. I am 75 years old and "baby" my trucks, and the
> transmission has a 30,000 mile or three year warranty. Should I chance
> it and buy the Honda Element or am I being dumb (as usual)?
> Thanks for a constructive reply,
> John
> johnrosoff@msn.com

130.81.64.196

Do the MATH.............. Then again at 75, the Element could out live you
so gamble!


"John Rosoff" <johnrosoff@msn.com> wrote in message
news:525ea67f.0409071118.e490cfa@posting.google.co m...
> I want to tow a tent trailer with a Honda Element. My tent trailer has
> a gross weight of 1950 pounds. The towing capacity for the vehicle is
> 1500 pounds. I am 75 years old and "baby" my trucks, and the
> transmission has a 30,000 mile or three year warranty. Should I chance
> it and buy the Honda Element or am I being dumb (as usual)?
> Thanks for a constructive reply,
> John
> johnrosoff@msn.com

130.81.64.196

Do the MATH.............. Then again at 75, the Element could out live you
so gamble!


"John Rosoff" <johnrosoff@msn.com> wrote in message
news:525ea67f.0409071118.e490cfa@posting.google.co m...
> I want to tow a tent trailer with a Honda Element. My tent trailer has
> a gross weight of 1950 pounds. The towing capacity for the vehicle is
> 1500 pounds. I am 75 years old and "baby" my trucks, and the
> transmission has a 30,000 mile or three year warranty. Should I chance
> it and buy the Honda Element or am I being dumb (as usual)?
> Thanks for a constructive reply,
> John
> johnrosoff@msn.com