Pilot Off Road: Fire Tower Road

[DrAwkwArD]

I'm new here...but I don't see many posts about taking the Pilot off road at all. Most of what I see is about the VCM shudder and how it rides on the highway.

Anyone ever go off road with the pilot?

We just got back from a weekend in down near Ohiopyle State Park. Had a good deal of fun and got to stretch the legs on the "New" to us 2010 Pilot. I got this vehicle for the winters up North, kids and to be able to go just about anywhere I wanted to. This weekend proved to me that the Pilot is definitely a capable off road vehicle.

Below is the Gmap of the trail/road. Click on the waypoint to see a picture of the first hill. The way we rode it was a drop from 2800' to 600' over 3.5 miles or so...took about 50 minutes. Next we'll be doing it the other way around. We had constant streams across the trail, rocks and some snow...and of course mud.

Fire Tower Road - Google Maps

[sessions247]

Nice. It looks good all dirty. I got my with 4x4 too and it's working great. I took it to the snow a couple weeks ago and the Pilot tackled it no problem going up minor little hills. I do have Continental tires rated for light snow use so I'm sure that helped out a bit.

I've also taken it on some light off road trails to go mountain biking and it rode great there too, never really losing traction climbing and descending rocky hills and loose dirt. The Pilot does more then I thought it would so far and I haven't pushed it to hard yet. I'm loving this thing so far.

[DrAwkwArD]

Ya, we were in a snow/mud mix and barely had issues. I had the VTM kick in often but it never left us stranded...same thing on loose gravel and water crossings.

Definitely looking forward to more off road trails. The main thing I'm happy about is that it allows me to go pretty much anywhere I want to safely. We came from a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Turbo and I am more than happy to have traded it for the Pilot.

[rocky]

If conditions are right never hesitate to use the vtm4 lock so you can learn the difference it makes.


Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

[DrAwkwArD]

Originally Posted by rocky

If conditions are right never hesitate to use the vtm4 lock so you can learn the difference it makes.

I used it on one area of this place called Campground Rd in Confluence, PA but there was an 18" rut on the right side and some brush on the left...and with no grille guard I didn't feel like screwing anything up. So I backed off...but it got me up the short very steep all mud hill. Works really well.

[jamesgarner83]

Looks like fun! Be careful not to get to aggressive off road in a Pilot, they are not really intended to take you "anywhere", not saying they wont handle a little light off roading, but there is virtually no drive-train protection underneath so watch out for rocks.

[DrAwkwArD]

Originally Posted by jamesgarner83

Looks like fun! Be careful not to get to aggressive off road in a Pilot, they are not really intended to take you "anywhere", not saying they wont handle a little light off roading, but there is virtually no drive-train protection underneath so watch out for rocks.

That's something I was wondering.

I may consider adding some at some point. I know it's not a rock crawler, but I would like it to be safe to get a little sketchy.

[carguy07]

Remember that VTM-4 lock is only for going straight for short periods of time.

[Honda Guy]

Looks like the Pilot does well in the mud. I have not tried mine in the mud or snow... YET.

[DrAwkwArD]

Originally Posted by Honda Guy

Looks like the Pilot does well in the mud. I have not tried mine in the mud or snow... YET.

It does very well. I was actually surprised at times.

I am noticing that what people say about the brakes being uninspiring is a little bit true...going down some of the steeper descents on Fire Tower I felt like the brakes could have been better. But in all it was impressive.