Anyone buy the Honda Tent? - Honda Pilot

Finallyin09 · 09-08-2009, 06:33 PM

Was curious of the functional use of the Honda tent while camping. Looks like a neat idea, but heard its not a good idea to leave the hatch open for long periods because of battery drain. Any comments?

krygny · 09-09-2009, 06:27 AM

Never saw that before. I assume it's designed to seal around the hatch (otherwise, it looks like it would fill with exhaust). I think you can kill all the interior lights with the master switch, even when the doors/tailgate are open.

bigdadi · 09-09-2009, 10:01 AM

It should come with a device to fool the Pilot that the rear hatch is closed, thus no draining of battery. Take any light bulb off if still light up.

jcantanixon · 09-09-2009, 01:31 PM

I'm pretty sure the interior lights turn off after awhile of the hatch being open. I seem to recall times where I've been unloading the Pilot at night after a trip and the lights go out so I have to reach up and manually turn on the hatch light.

moda_way · 09-10-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jcantanixon
I'm pretty sure the interior lights turn off after awhile of the hatch being open. I seem to recall times where I've been unloading the Pilot at night after a trip and the lights go out so I have to reach up and manually turn on the hatch light.

I turn the front switch off and rear off when I have the rear open. I don't recall them going off after a few minutes of unloading things either. No matter what, you can turn them off no problem. Big issue here is you can't have the vehicle on (if that weren't already obvious), so using the power port (for all its not worth in camping) is useless too. End up needing a generator. Luckily Honda has a few nice ones. I see this being best used on a drive on beach and for that kind of money, you can get a really nice 10'x10' canopy.

I still really like the idea of this though.

N_Jay · 09-10-2009, 12:29 PM

Gen 1's have a swich right on the tailgate light.

rlapid · 09-10-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by N_Jay
Gen 1's have a swich right on the tailgate light.

is the tent itself compatible with 1st gen pilots??

N_Jay · 09-10-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rlapid

is the tent itself compatible with 1st gen pilots??

I don't know.

I looked a similar tent designed from my Range Rover many years back, but decided not to get it.

RSQ Pilot · 09-10-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Finallyin09
Was curious of the functional use of the Honda tent while camping. Looks like a neat idea, but heard its not a good idea to leave the hatch open for long periods because of battery drain. Any comments?

Turn off the "door open" dome lights at the master switch..no drain...use the direct switch only when you need the light with tailgate open

SUV. van and pickup tents have been around for decades, special sides that opened into the tailgate. Even older are ones that were designed for (gasp) station wagons...

google for options that will fit the Pilot for less $$

TimHendricks · 05-20-2011, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finallyin09

Was curious of the functional use of the Honda tent while camping. Looks like a neat idea, but heard its not a good idea to leave the hatch open for long periods because of battery drain. Any comments?

Has anyone installed a Car Top Tent on their Honda Pilot (example

http://autohomeus.com/rooftop/maggiolina.php

1YESfan · 10-11-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimHendricks

Has anyone installed a Car Top Tent on their Honda Pilot (example

http://autohomeus.com/rooftop/maggiolina.php

I think that's pretty cool but a false sense of security from big cats.

mikemcm · 10-11-2011, 06:42 PM

I had one of these for a van I used to own and wouldn't get another. There's just no way to get a proper seal against mosquitos,blackflies and noseeums. Fine for hanging out but not fine for thinking you can sleep in the tent and use the pilot as a second room. I don't even think I used mine against the van. When I was setting it up I realized it wouldn't work the way I thought it would.

rocky · 10-11-2011, 07:15 PM

Had a roof top tent on my Discovery. Was able to watch safely while bears ransacked the food supply left out by the next door campsite.

mikemcm · 10-11-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky

Had a roof top tent on my Discovery. Was able to watch safely while bears ransacked the food supply left out by the next door campsite.

rooftop tents are awesome, had one on a early 80's station wagon, just grab the ladder, pull it down and the tent was up. slept in it for a semester in university.

09-09-2009, 06:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
krygny Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NY Panhandle(c) Posts: 2,831 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Never saw that before. I assume it's designed to seal around the hatch (otherwise, it looks like it would fill with exhaust). I think you can kill all the interior lights with the master switch, even when the doors/tailgate are open. __________________ 2003 EX-L, Sage Brush Pearl Side Steps • Rear Splash Guards • Cross Bars • Cargo Tray • Cargo Cover • All-Season Floor Mats • StreetPilot ColorMap • WeatherTech WeatherFlectors • Fortera TripleTreds

09-09-2009, 10:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
bigdadi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 600 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It should come with a device to fool the Pilot that the rear hatch is closed, thus no draining of battery. Take any light bulb off if still light up. __________________ BigD 08 VP AWD, AVS window deflectors, Grilletech grille insert & pillar chrome plates, Tomtom GPS, Huskies All Weather Mats & cargo trays.

09-09-2009, 01:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
jcantanixon Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 916 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm pretty sure the interior lights turn off after awhile of the hatch being open. I seem to recall times where I've been unloading the Pilot at night after a trip and the lights go out so I have to reach up and manually turn on the hatch light. __________________ Current: 2008 4WD EX-L NAV - OEM Tow Package - OEM Running Boards - Sirius conversion using OEM headunit and antenna - Vizualogic A-1250 Dual DVD Headrests - RGB converter for DVD on NAV screen - Hitch-Haul - Air Lift 1000 - USA-Spec PA15-HON2 - DEI 452T Auto Locks - Thule Crossroads and Cargo Box - Michelin Latitudes Old: 2005 EX-L NAV

09-10-2009, 12:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,544 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Gen 1's have a swich right on the tailgate light. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

10-11-2011, 06:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
mikemcm Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ottawa Posts: 95 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I had one of these for a van I used to own and wouldn't get another. There's just no way to get a proper seal against mosquitos,blackflies and noseeums. Fine for hanging out but not fine for thinking you can sleep in the tent and use the pilot as a second room. I don't even think I used mine against the van. When I was setting it up I realized it wouldn't work the way I thought it would. __________________ 2006 Honda Pilot EX-L Ottawa Ontario, Canada

10-11-2011, 07:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 7,168 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Had a roof top tent on my Discovery. Was able to watch safely while bears ransacked the food supply left out by the next door campsite. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris...19131498101662

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