Honda Pilot Towing

swilly · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 362 City: Eugene

Anybody own a Honda Pilot and use it to tow a boat? I don't tow more than about 30 minutes and there are no hills. Maybe once a year I go over the pass and that may cause some lug on the engine but I'm not too worried. I'm pulling a 3500lb mastercraft.

Any info would be appreciated.

Swass · Guest

I don't own one, but I'd strongly caution you against it. The curb weight is just over 4000 pounds. Your boat damn near outweighs the vehicle, which means that stopping, expecially under heavy braking, will be a real issue.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Swass, hopefully he has trailer brakes....

swilly, I thought the Pilot had a 5000lb rating if it is properly equipped and the trailer has brakes.

That said, I wouldn't want to use it for any long hauls over 30min.

NAW · Posted: Jan 27, 2006 10:31 am Post subject:

My cousin has one and tows his X-7 with it. He says it does fine.

swilly · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 362 City: Eugene

Its rated to pull a 4500lb boat, or a 3500lb trailer. The boat is aerodynamic and so it can pull a little larger boat. My 4runner had less HP/TQ and pulled it just fine, but it was RWD. The Pilot is FWD with AWD auto control, never getting more than about 35-40% to the rear wheels.

Thanks Naw, Anybody else have some input?

J-Ro · Posted: Jan 27, 2006 11:24 am Post subject:

swilly, Your 4Runner was also a frame construction instead of a uni-body.

swilly · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 362 City: Eugene

cloud · Criminal Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 60 City: Austin

Swass · Guest

Madness!

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

I hope you tow downhill to and from the launch.

swilly · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 362 City: Eugene

swilly · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 362 City: Eugene

J-Ro · Posted: Jan 27, 2006 2:32 pm Post subject:

swilly, You should be fine with your Pilot. I wouldn't hesitate to use it based on what you have said.

swilly · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 362 City: Eugene

So I'm trying to help my dad out. I can take over his lease for another 12 months @ $299/Month or I can get a brand new Ford F-150 Supercab on lease for $299/Month.....

Christmas is over right...........??? Laughing

cloud · Criminal Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 60 City: Austin

deepcove · Soul Rider Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 296 City: Vancouver

I have a 2005 Pilot with the tow package and tow a 2004 Mobius LS without a problem. I believe the boat is 3,100 lbs. Also you need not be concerned about towing less than 30 mins.

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

swilly,

I don't care what a "manufacturers" tow ratings state. I have no idea how they arrive at the figures--often times I think they rate being able to move a load down a 15% grade.

My Yukon XL with the tow package is rated at 8,000 lbs (I think) but it can barely pull itself up a hill--let alone a 3,500 pound boat.

I personally would buy an old 2 wheel drive 3/4 ton truck and toss in a stereo before I'd spend a lot of money on a car that will soon be torn up.

swilly · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 362 City: Eugene

I went with a 2006 Ford F-150 4WD with a 5.4L V8!!!! It rocks, rips the boat around great!

DRAGON88 · Posted: Feb 04, 2006 1:00 am Post subject:

It's good that the 'ridge will be open again.

swilly · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 362 City: Eugene

Never been to the 'ridge, I'm always out @ Fall Creek

We should get some Eugene folks together sometime

DRAGON88 · Posted: Feb 04, 2006 1:20 am Post subject:

Ha, I've never been to the 'ridge either. A get together would be interesting indeed though.

midwesty · Posted: Feb 04, 2006 10:01 am Post subject:

thank god you came to your senses Shocked

swilly · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 362 City: Eugene

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

swilly, Congrats on the new truck. I got the same thing. It's great!!!