hitch capacity questions help!

[osudelt69]

why are all the aftermarket class lll hitches rated at 3500lbs but the pilot can tow 4500lbs boat without weigh distribution? honda hitch is class lll just like aftermarket…but appears to have a higher rating…
safety important to me and I would be over 3500

[N_Jay]

They probably just parrot the vehicle rating of 3500 LB as published.

It is not just the hitch that sets the limit.

[osudelt69]

i under stand vehicle limitations but wanted to know if hitch manufactures are just being safe and using lower number

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by osudelt69
i under stand vehicle limitations but wanted to know if hitch manufactures are just being safe and using lower number

You would have to ask them, and then I doubt you will get any answer other then what is on the label.

[osudelt69]

I figured no one will truly know. I emailed one manufacture and have not heard anything back.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by osudelt69
I figured no one will truly know. I emailed one manufacture and have not heard anything back.

They are not going to say anything that could put them at risk.

What are you trying to do?

Any good quality hitch that uses all (or at least most) of the factory mounting holes is good enough. There is no magic, the hitch is way stronger then the steel it is bolted to.
I like the factory hitch.

[osudelt69]

Tow a 4000lbs boat. 20' Reinell that sits on a dual axle trailer with surge brakes.

Planned on adding aftermarket hitch, aftermarket ATF and most likely power steering cooler.

Honda coolers are ridiculously expensive! I already own a ATF cooler I previously bought for a Jeep Cherokee but never used.

I just don't want to spend 800 dollars for OEM stuff if the aftermarket hitch will work safely.

[osudelt69]

This is per hitchinfo.com

The most common receiver class installed on full-size pickup trucks and SUVs. If your full-size truck is equipped with a tow package, it's probably a Class 3. These receivers have a 2-inch square receiver tube. Class 3 receivers can handle up to 8,000 pound trailers and 800 pounds of tongue weight with a weight carrying ball mount, or up to 12,000 pounds and 1,200 pounds of tongue weight with a weight distributing hitch. This generally exceeds the towing capacities of most non-commercial vehicles, so a Class 3 hitch is rarely the limiting factor when towing.

and...


Class 3
(Round Tube)
Up to 6,000 lbs. WC
600 lbs. TW
Up to10,000 lbs. WD
1,000 lbs. TW
2” Receiver Tube


(Square Tube)
Up to 8,000 lbs. WC
800 lbs. TW
Up to12,000 lbs. WD
1,200 lbs. TW
2” Receiver Tube


This is what I thought. The limiting factor is that the Honda Pilot is rated to tow 3500lbs trailer or 4500lbs boat. Manufactures for the hitches are just going with the 3500...I think.

[N_Jay]

The important thing with an aftermarket hitch is to make sure it connects to the extra bolt points at the center of the rear cross member since it is uni-body and the frame rails are not like a truck frame, and that it allows a full size spare tire.

If your pilot is more than a few months old, it is important o clean the threads in the bolt holes with a tap or you are likely to break off the internal bolt.

[osudelt69]

2004 with 122,xxx miles. Has had every service done at the honda dealership including all oil changes.

Which hitch would you recommend? I would like to spend only as much as necessary.

[N_Jay]

I like the factory, but it is also the only one I have used.

There are a bunch of threads on hitches, but one think that was noticed is that the aftermarket hitches change, so a recommendation to a particular brand may not be the same hitch.

I have 155,000 miles and tow about 3000+ lb with about 450+ on the tongue and a weight distributing hitch system.

[osudelt69]

What do you tow? How do you think your Pilot does? I will keep that in mind when looking for hitches, thank you.

I wasn't sure if I would need to buy a weight distribution system or air bags. I read on some thread here that WD systems were not recommended by honda.

[N_Jay]

I have a 17 foot hybrid camper trailer (Jayco Jayfeather-Export)

It tows OK. It could use more power, but it is fine if you take your time.

The front axle on the Pilot is very close to its maximum, so you have to be very careful you don't transfer too much weight forward.

The rear suspension is very soft, so that is why you need either airbags or the weight distributing system.

Lots of people crank their weight distributing systems way too tight, so that is probably why Honda does not recommend them.

I looked at airbags, but did not like the very little space in the spring for the bags.

[osudelt69]

Thank you for the honest assessment. I imagine that my boat is going to make the Pilot squat like a dog Crap I was not expecting to have to spend money on that too!!

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by osudelt69
Thank you for the honest assessment. I imagine that my boat is going to make the Pilot squat like a dog Crap I was not expecting to have to spend money on that too!!

What is your tongue weight?