Towing 2700 pds. with a 2004 Pilot with 115K miles on it - Honda Pilot

tschuler · 01-01-2012, 08:46 PM

I am looking at purchasing an travel trailer. An R-Pod that weighs 2400 pounds but I think loaded it will be around 2700 to 3000 pounds. My Pilot is a 2004 with 115K miles on it. I am afraid of destroying the transmission and who knows what else.

The RV salesperson is really honest and thinks I should stick to a 2100 pound RPOD but it's not the model I like (I want one with a slideout so I am not so claustrophobic...lol)

I am new to towing with my vehicle. Any help you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks

cwa107 · 01-01-2012, 08:50 PM

Is your Pilot equipped with the towing package (i.e. the hitch and upgraded tranny/power steering coolers)?

N_Jay · 01-02-2012, 10:25 AM

I am towing a Jayfeather 17C at about 2800 empty and god-know-what after packed by the wife.

I have 175000 and have no problems. (Had about 130000 or so when I starred towing)

Change your ATF about once a year and take it a little easy towing (like you should in any vehicle) and I doubt you will have a problem.

Of course the Trans could go, but that can happen when not towing also.

tschuler · 01-02-2012, 11:43 AM

No, cwa107, I don't have anything hooked up yet. I was going to take the Pilot to the dealer to see what I need to do to it to get it ready but thought I'd ask here to see what everyone else's experience has been with their Pilots.

tschuler · 01-02-2012, 11:45 AM

N Jay, what year is your Pilot? My 2004 has a 3500 max towing rating on it so I don't know if I am going to be pushing it too hard.

N_Jay · 01-02-2012, 11:47 AM

The dealer will charge an lot to get the two package installed. (History says)

You might want to read over a few of the Hitch and Cooler threads and get a few quotes from local hitch shops before just dropping it at the dealer.

Also, Make sure they know that the threaded nuts in the frame MUST (MUST! MUST! MUST!) be cleaned with a tap before trying to bolt on the hitch.

P.S. Mine is an 2003 from mid 2002 production.

Also the trailer has a relatively high tongue weight for its size. I use an equalizing hitch and the setup is very stable.

aka paco · 01-14-2012, 07:27 AM

I stopped by Uhaul they told me towing hitch and trans cooler for 275 for parts

that's not too bad if you do the install yourself..

01-01-2012, 08:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
tschuler Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Towing 2700 pds. with a 2004 Pilot with 115K miles on it I am looking at purchasing an travel trailer. An R-Pod that weighs 2400 pounds but I think loaded it will be around 2700 to 3000 pounds. My Pilot is a 2004 with 115K miles on it. I am afraid of destroying the transmission and who knows what else. The RV salesperson is really honest and thinks I should stick to a 2100 pound RPOD but it's not the model I like (I want one with a slideout so I am not so claustrophobic...lol) I am new to towing with my vehicle. Any help you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks

01-01-2012, 08:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
cwa107 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Middletown, PA Posts: 2,497 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Is your Pilot equipped with the towing package (i.e. the hitch and upgraded tranny/power steering coolers)? __________________ 2010 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD, Dark Cherry Pearl w/ black leather - equipped with black side steps, WeatherTech Floorliners and USA SPEC iPod Integration 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium - Ruby Red Pearl 2005 Honda Pilot EX 4WD (traded)

01-02-2012, 10:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,555 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I am towing a Jayfeather 17C at about 2800 empty and god-know-what after packed by the wife. I have 175000 and have no problems. (Had about 130000 or so when I starred towing) Change your ATF about once a year and take it a little easy towing (like you should in any vehicle) and I doubt you will have a problem. Of course the Trans could go, but that can happen when not towing also. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

01-02-2012, 11:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,555 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The dealer will charge an lot to get the two package installed. (History says) You might want to read over a few of the Hitch and Cooler threads and get a few quotes from local hitch shops before just dropping it at the dealer. Also, Make sure they know that the threaded nuts in the frame MUST (MUST! MUST! MUST!) be cleaned with a tap before trying to bolt on the hitch. P.S. Mine is an 2003 from mid 2002 production. Also the trailer has a relatively high tongue weight for its size. I use an equalizing hitch and the setup is very stable. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill Last edited by N_Jay; 01-02-2012 at 11:49 AM.

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01-02-2012, 11:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
tschuler Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	No, cwa107, I don't have anything hooked up yet. I was going to take the Pilot to the dealer to see what I need to do to it to get it ready but thought I'd ask here to see what everyone else's experience has been with their Pilots.

01-02-2012, 11:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
tschuler Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	N Jay, what year is your Pilot? My 2004 has a 3500 max towing rating on it so I don't know if I am going to be pushing it too hard.

01-14-2012, 07:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
aka paco Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Columbia SC Posts: 20 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I stopped by Uhaul they told me towing hitch and trans cooler for 275 for parts that's not too bad if you do the install yourself..

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