Honda Pilot off road - Honda Pilot

late49er · 08-28-2007, 04:47 PM

Hello Everyone,

I have a 2005 pilot that I would like to take off road a bit. Basically just dirt roads. I live in Nevada and had a Jeep before the Pilot and really enjoyed getting into just about everywhere.

Somewhat concerned about the tires. Might want to buy a more durable set of tires.

Would be interested in your personal experiences and whether or not you think this would tear the pilot up. I am not talking about going up the side of mountains.

Thanks,

Late49er

larryziegler · 08-28-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by late49er
Hello Everyone,

I have a 2005 pilot that I would like to take off road a bit. Basically just dirt roads. I live in Nevada and had a Jeep before the Pilot and really enjoyed getting into just about everywhere.

Somewhat concerned about the tires. Might want to buy a more durable set of tires.

Would be interested in your personal experiences and whether or not you think this would tear the pilot up. I am not talking about going up the side of mountains.

Thanks,

Late49er

You are right about the tires, and it depends on how aggressive with tires you want to get as to the desired tire. As you are aware, I'm sure, the Pilot has no low range or skid plates, so slow speed usage where gearing and underbody protection comes intp play can be ruled out. My Pilot is owned predominantly for the winter ski season here and I have no intent to take it off road otherwise, but I have lots of previous experience from a 1st gen Ford Bronco and a Jeep CJ-7 I owned years ago. Given what I think you would be seeing....dirt roads, some dry washes, and such, I have seen folks using a Pilot for such usage. Just don't go rock crawling with it and you should be fine. There are some other folks here who have some decent offroad experiences.

rocky · 08-28-2007, 06:14 PM

I've got a "real" truck for off road (ab)use, so my Pilot stays safe on the road.

Are conditions there generally as dry as I think they may be? Without Mud BFG At is a great tire. You might also like the Goodyear MTR which has shown good road manners for a MT type tire.

slicknickns · 09-01-2007, 01:03 AM

the only off-roading i have done is on the beach. i have driven for long periods on the sand, in 4x2 and with the VTM-4 lock on. there is a big difference, in 4x2 the steering wheel is very loose, in VTM-4 mode, the wheel has some give and is much more controllable.

I have driven all over the sand in Sunset Beach, just North of Huntington Beach, California. I have to say that the Pilot never got stuck and handled the terrain very well. I have stock tires and i did not lower tire pressure, as i drove on the beach at night.

larryziegler · 09-01-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by slicknickns

I have driven all over the sand in Sunset Beach, just North of Huntington Beach, California. I have to say that the Pilot never got stuck and handled the terrain very well. I have stock tires and i did not lower tire pressure, as i drove on the beach at night.

How'd you pull that one off? To my knowledge, Pismo Beach is the only car friendly beach in Calif.

slicknickns · 09-02-2007, 11:30 AM

the key is: very late at night, never on a friday or saturday. You follow those rules, and you'll be ok.

08-28-2007, 04:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
late49er Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 47 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Honda Pilot off road Hello Everyone, I have a 2005 pilot that I would like to take off road a bit. Basically just dirt roads. I live in Nevada and had a Jeep before the Pilot and really enjoyed getting into just about everywhere. Somewhat concerned about the tires. Might want to buy a more durable set of tires. Would be interested in your personal experiences and whether or not you think this would tear the pilot up. I am not talking about going up the side of mountains. Thanks, Late49er

09-01-2007, 01:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
slicknickns Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 45 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	the only off-roading i have done is on the beach. i have driven for long periods on the sand, in 4x2 and with the VTM-4 lock on. there is a big difference, in 4x2 the steering wheel is very loose, in VTM-4 mode, the wheel has some give and is much more controllable. I have driven all over the sand in Sunset Beach, just North of Huntington Beach, California. I have to say that the Pilot never got stuck and handled the terrain very well. I have stock tires and i did not lower tire pressure, as i drove on the beach at night. __________________ 2007 4x4 honda pilot. that's it. i've driven an '05 Acura MDX, ask me they compare well, except the pilot drives like it should - like a truck, the mdx, a car. I have a steel blue 2007 4x4 EX-L. navigation, back up camera and it came with roof racks. I'm into off-roading with the Pilot. anyone else?

09-02-2007, 11:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
slicknickns Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 45 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	the key is: very late at night, never on a friday or saturday. You follow those rules, and you'll be ok. __________________ 2007 4x4 honda pilot. that's it. i've driven an '05 Acura MDX, ask me they compare well, except the pilot drives like it should - like a truck, the mdx, a car. I have a steel blue 2007 4x4 EX-L. navigation, back up camera and it came with roof racks. I'm into off-roading with the Pilot. anyone else?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

08-28-2007, 06:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 6,720 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've got a "real" truck for off road (ab)use, so my Pilot stays safe on the road. Are conditions there generally as dry as I think they may be? Without Mud BFG At is a great tire. You might also like the Goodyear MTR which has shown good road manners for a MT type tire.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Piloteers.org Advertisement