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Towing with a Honda Pilot

41 messages,  Last post on Nov 07, 2012 at 8:09 PM

You are in the Honda Pilot Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Pilot, Towing, SUV

    

Messages Page 2 of 5

#4 of 41 Re: #3 Trailer Hitch by russbundy

Jan 26, 2007 (8:17 am)

I found a hitch designed for pilot/mdx on eBay for about $140 shipped. It looks easy enough to install. I could just leave it at that and not tow anything heavy since my Pilot is a salvage and the warranty is void anyway. I wonder if a DIY could install the tranny cooler and steering cooler to save a few bucks. Anybody tried it?

#5 of 41 Re: #3 Trailer Hitch [russbundy] by odie6l

Jan 26, 2007 (5:22 pm)

Replying to: russbundy (Jan 26, 2007 8:17 am)
I wouldn't risk the DIY on the hitch. Check out the install instructions over at College Hills Honda.
 
The dealer that I purchased my Pilot from installed my hitch at no charge.
 
Odie
Odie's Carspace

#6 of 41 Re: #3 Trailer Hitch [russbundy] by 05pilot

Feb 01, 2007 (9:37 am)

Replying to: russbundy (Jan 26, 2007 8:17 am)
I also found a hitch on Ebay for my 2005 Pilot...It was the Uhaul hitch for the Pilot and still had a Uhaul sticker on it..It looks identical to the Honda OEM accessory hitch...It is probable that both hitches are made by the same third party (neither Honda or Uhaul make hitches)..Anyway, even though I bought it on Ebay, my local Uhaul dealer installed my hitch for $25.

#7 of 41 Boat Towing/Surge Brakes/Solenoid Lockout by finalchapter

Dec 20, 2007 (7:46 pm)

Hi everyone -
 
I have a 2006 Pilot with the dealer installed tow package. I will be towing a boat and trailer weighing around 2800-3000 lbs. The electrical connection at present is a 'four-flat'. One male ground and three female power for lights, turn signals, brakelights, etc.
 
The surge brake actuator on the boat trailer comes with a solenoid lockout that, when you place the vehicle in reverse, the solenoid engages and inserts a pin behind the coupler and prevents the actuator from engaging the brakes so you can back up. This configuration requires a 'five-flat' plug.
 
My question is: Can I safely tie into the reverse light wiring without screwing up something in the vehicle to provide the voltage to the solenoid to engage the pin?
 
Are there any other options? The parts guy at Honda didn't know what the term 'five-flat' meant. I found that curious though not unexpected.
 
Thanks,
 
FC

#8 of 41 Honda Pilot 6 pins connector by vavedano

Jan 08, 2012 (5:00 pm)

I have a 2008 Pilot with the dealer installed tow package. I will be towing a boat and trailer weighing around 2800-3000 lbs. The electrical connection at present is a 'four-flat'. One male ground and three female power for lights, turn signals, brakelights, etc.
   
 The surge brake actuator on the boat trailer comes with a solenoid lockout that, when you place the vehicle in reverse, the solenoid engages and inserts a pin behind the coupler and prevents the actuator from engaging the brakes so you can back up. This configuration requires a 'five-flat' plug.
   
 My question is: Can I safely tie into the reverse light wiring without screwing up something in the vehicle to provide the voltage to the solenoid to engage the pin?
   
 Are there any other options with the existing Honda 4 pin wiring that I can tap and connect to a blue wire of the 5 pin connector.
 Thanks,

#10 of 41 What to do to prep 2003 Pilot for towing? by mildbill

Jan 14, 2012 (10:37 am)

Got a great deal on a tight 2003 Pilot with tow package and 135k miles. It has been used for towing before as can be seen from wear on the hitch and screw holes from what is more likely trailer brake controller.
 
It will be used to tow a small box trailer with my Harley and some other kit in it, 2.5k lbs max. Newly handicapped I'm towing rather than riding my bike around now.
 
Then I read about the trans problems w/2003
 
Is there an easy way to see if the necessary transmission modification has been made?
 
The Honda Service Department hasn't seen the car since 90k mile check-up. Copies of their service records are on the way. They want $2k for timing belt, water pump etc. and once they have it they'll surely hit me up for brakes, shocks, etc. My trusted mechanic can do this for much less of course and I'm leaning that way.
 
Thoughts solicited. Thanks!
 
Bill

#11 of 41 2009 Pilot- too much weight to tow? by jeffrim

Mar 18, 2012 (3:25 pm)

Have a 2009 Pilot EX-L and want to tow a 2800 lb. 16' travel trailer.Bought the trailer but afterwards realized the DGVW is 5000# and the Pilot's rated at 4500#. Did I screw up and buy a trailer that's too heavy fully loaded? If I add a throttle body spacer for torque and load it lite, will I be okay or should I sell my new trailer? HELP!!
Also, I read that I shouldn't use my included anti-sway weight distribution bar with the Pilot...is that true?

#12 of 41 Re: 2009 Pilot- too much weight to tow? [jeffrim] by walk_the_walk2

Apr 22, 2012 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: jeffrim (Mar 18, 2012 3:25 pm)
Jeff: I hate to say this, but I tow a small enclosed trailer and I don't think that the Honda Pilot is well suited for towing, and certainly NOT a 16 foot trailer. Even the 4WD model like I have says 4500 lbs.
 
You will kill your transmission and need $7K in repairs in 6 months. That is my prediction. Should you sell your trailer? Yes, or your Honda. If you tow something that exceeds the rating of your vehicle, you will void the warranty, and put yourself and your passengers at risk of injury in an accident.
By the way, we rented a large Toyota Sequoia SR5 and that thing had a hellacious towing capacity. Maybe you need a different SUV or a pickup truck. Just saying.

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