Open up the manual with the maintenance schedule. Go over the stuff that you
may have glossed over, like changing TRANSMISSION fluid and filter. Have you
done that religiously? If so, you have a bit of an edge. It would be even
better if you had a transmission oil cooler installed. It looks like a tiny
radiator about half the thickness of a loaf of Wonder bread. The dealer or a
trusted mechanic should do the work.

Do you know how to drive with two feet so that on the ramp, you can keep the
vehicle from slipping backwards when in forward gear, until you have some
momentum?

In other words, if you do everything else correctly, you'll probably do
fine. It still might be a good idea to get the boat/trailer combo weighed.
Call the state police and ask them how to find a local place to do that for
you. Don't forget to throw the cooler in the boat, loaded as usual (ice,
beer, 16 tons of worms).

wrote in message
...
Greetings,

The rated towing capacity for our Honda Odyssey van is listed at 1,000
pounds. I have a 13' Whaler, which weighs 580 pounds. Add the motor
(208 pounds), the trailer (200 pounds??) and some fluids, and I'm
right at capacity.

I don't foresee a problem on level ground (there's no mountains here
in the Tampa Bay area), but I wonder if I'd have a problem at the
ramp, with the front wheel drive.

I've never owned a boat/trailer combination, so I'm wet behind the
ears when it comes to towing capacities, etc.

Thanks!