Honda Car Forum

Anyone have any real-world towing experience with the Pilot?

The Honda web site says it's rated at 4,500 lbs for boat trailers and
3,500 lbs for other trailers. What is that about? I've researched
towing for 5 years because of towing my camper, and this is the first
that I've seen a vehicle given different weight numbers based on the
TYPE of trailer. How would the tow vehicle know if it's a boat or my
camper?

I have a 2000 Odyssey and tow my camper with it. Camper dry weight is
1,858. By the time we're all loaded I consider the Odyssey maxed-out.
With the four of us and our stuff and the camper hooked-up, the
Odyssey's tail is dragging. I would never try to tow a 3,000+ lb boat
with it. Yet, the Odyssey and the Pilot supposedly are both rated to
tow 3,500 trailers. But the Pilot supposedly can do an extra 1,000 lbs
if it's towing a boat????

I'm looking to get a boat that weighs about 3,200 lbs. total (boat,
engine and trailer). I would never run the actual tow weight (3,200)
that close to the tow rating (3,500). But I would consider it if the
real tow rating of the vehicle was 4,500.

Has anyone towed a 3,000+ pound boat behind a Pilot and actually pulled
your boat out of a steep, slippery boat ramp?!

Can anyhone explain this strangeness of supposedly having two different
tow ratings??

Thanks

Tom Klingler
Ohio

> Can anyhone explain this strangeness of supposedly having two different
> tow ratings??

As it was explained to me, a boat is more aerodynamic making it easier to
tow. The Pilots 4500 lbs means it must be outfitted with a class 3 hitch,
power steering and transmission coolers....to keep the warranty valid.

Rick


"Tom Klingler" <TomKlingler@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news86Rc.131238$fv.48444@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
> Anyone have any real-world towing experience with the Pilot?
>
> The Honda web site says it's rated at 4,500 lbs for boat trailers and
> 3,500 lbs for other trailers. What is that about? I've researched
> towing for 5 years because of towing my camper, and this is the first
> that I've seen a vehicle given different weight numbers based on the
> TYPE of trailer. How would the tow vehicle know if it's a boat or my
> camper?
>
> I have a 2000 Odyssey and tow my camper with it. Camper dry weight is
> 1,858. By the time we're all loaded I consider the Odyssey maxed-out.
> With the four of us and our stuff and the camper hooked-up, the
> Odyssey's tail is dragging. I would never try to tow a 3,000+ lb boat
> with it. Yet, the Odyssey and the Pilot supposedly are both rated to
> tow 3,500 trailers. But the Pilot supposedly can do an extra 1,000 lbs
> if it's towing a boat????
>
> I'm looking to get a boat that weighs about 3,200 lbs. total (boat,
> engine and trailer). I would never run the actual tow weight (3,200)
> that close to the tow rating (3,500). But I would consider it if the
> real tow rating of the vehicle was 4,500.
>
> Has anyone towed a 3,000+ pound boat behind a Pilot and actually pulled
> your boat out of a steep, slippery boat ramp?!
>
> Can anyhone explain this strangeness of supposedly having two different
> tow ratings??
>
> Thanks
>
> Tom Klingler
> Ohio

Tom,
I found your post interesting. I have a 10 ft Jayco fold-down camper that I
tow with our 2000 Ody as well. I think the trailer is ~1000 lbs, maybe 1500
lbs loaded. We also have 4 small children (under 6 yrs).
Am I gonna be in trouble towing everything once the kids grow?
Hmmm...perhaps I oughta post this on the Ody Club message board:
http://www.odyclub.com/

-chris

"Tom Klingler" <TomKlingler@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news86Rc.131238$fv.48444@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
> Anyone have any real-world towing experience with the Pilot?
>
> The Honda web site says it's rated at 4,500 lbs for boat trailers and
> 3,500 lbs for other trailers. What is that about? I've researched
> towing for 5 years because of towing my camper, and this is the first
> that I've seen a vehicle given different weight numbers based on the
> TYPE of trailer. How would the tow vehicle know if it's a boat or my
> camper?
>
> I have a 2000 Odyssey and tow my camper with it. Camper dry weight is
> 1,858. By the time we're all loaded I consider the Odyssey maxed-out.
> With the four of us and our stuff and the camper hooked-up, the
> Odyssey's tail is dragging. I would never try to tow a 3,000+ lb boat
> with it. Yet, the Odyssey and the Pilot supposedly are both rated to
> tow 3,500 trailers. But the Pilot supposedly can do an extra 1,000 lbs
> if it's towing a boat????
>
> I'm looking to get a boat that weighs about 3,200 lbs. total (boat,
> engine and trailer). I would never run the actual tow weight (3,200)
> that close to the tow rating (3,500). But I would consider it if the
> real tow rating of the vehicle was 4,500.
>
> Has anyone towed a 3,000+ pound boat behind a Pilot and actually pulled
> your boat out of a steep, slippery boat ramp?!
>
> Can anyhone explain this strangeness of supposedly having two different
> tow ratings??
>
> Thanks
>
> Tom Klingler
> Ohio