Are you towing? What is it?

[Dadof2boys]

GooEXd afternoon everyone, first I would like to Introduce myself. I am new to this site but understand the ins and outs of a enthusiast site. I have taken part of many before. I build and drive a Honda, I drive a 2012 Pilot EX, I also work for Honda of Canada Manufacturing.

So moving on too more important things, I do have some questions for you Pilot owners. We are frequent campers and outdoors people. We have recently bought a new trailer an 18ft hybrid to be exact. I would like to know what everyone is towing if you have a trailer and the equipment you use to do it.

I see in the owners manual that it does NOT recommend a weight distribution system for towing.

I am investing in a anti-sway bar for the trailer and have purchased a EBC unit. The tekonsha EBC was a good value.

Let me know please I would like some input from fellow Pilot and trailer owners.

Dave

[Brolan]

I have an 2012 EX 4WD and tow an 18' fiberglass boat and trailer that comes in at about 3500 lbs. I use only the stock equipment and have no problems using premium fuel. The transmission can do some hunting when using regular gas.

The Pilot's tow rating goes from 2500-4500 lbs, depending on model and equipment, and that restricts the travel trailers it can tow safely. So I recommend you determine your weight carefully.

There are lots of towing threads on this board with good info. Just use the search function.

[RinconVTR]

Gulfstream Visa 23BHD which weighs 4100lbs fully loaded (no water or bikes).

Equalizer E2 WDH and Prodigy P2 brake controller (and added air bags a few months ago to take some stress away from the WDH). I don't want to full time with this rig, but its perfect for the big 2-3 trips we take in summer and the little ones in between.

[Dadof2boys]

Originally Posted by RinconVTR

Gulfstream Visa 23BHD which weighs 4100lbs fully loaded (no water or bikes).

Equalizer E2 WDH and Prodigy P2 brake controller (and added air bags a few months ago to take some stress away from the WDH). I don't want to full time with this rig, but its perfect for the big 2-3 trips we take in summer and the little ones in between.

Rincon what year is your Pilot. Does your owners manual recommend not to use a WDH. mine does so this is why I have the concern. The trailer we got is 3600 dry weight hitch weight is 400 and I am good up to 450 for height rating. We did a i dry fit and tow of the trailer today and despite the push from behind a little, it seemed to pull it with out concern. We dont have our electronic brake unit yet.

[rocky]

hybrid trailer recommendations

Another hybrid trailer thread

[Dadof2boys]

Yeah I read that thread already, he has a 2wd I have 4WD. I know my tow capacity but more in regards of whether I should or shouldn't use WDH.

[rocky]

Wdh is vital for heavier towing loads.


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[N_Jay]

What is the current wording from Honda on using a WDH?

[RinconVTR]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

What is the current wording from Honda on using a WDH?

Honda says this:

"A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended for use with your
vehicle, as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling, stability, and braking

performance."


If they would have left it at "not recommended" I wouldn't use one. But they don't, so I do.


I can also tell you, using a WDH is not vital with the Pilot, even with a max 450lb tongue. The Pilot can support it, and 2 full inches of sag results, but you wont like how it looks. People see a sagging rear end, and they automatically think you're overloaded. A level tow vehical gives the perception you're set up right. *Perception.*

I will be testing my newly installed air bags without the WDH this spring, and I have a feeling the WDH wont be "needed". It will be more that I will want it for the extra support and sway reduction, espeically towing a high & long trailer at near max weight ratings of the Pilot.

[N_Jay]

Clear to me, they are concerned with the potential for improper adjustment, not the WDH itself.

Without one you are taking weight off the front wheel and lowering stability and control.

The airbags mask the sag, they do not help prevent lightening of the front wheel load

[RinconVTR]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

The airbags mask the sag, they do not help prevent lightening of the front wheel load

They do not distrubute weight like the WDH, but they do transfer some weight back to the front.

Think visually. The rear is compressed and unloads the front, lifting the body higher. Now you lift the rear and the front doesnt stay lifted, does it?

[2bz]

Originally Posted by RinconVTR

They do not distrubute weight like the WDH, but they do transfer some weight back to the front.

Think visually. The rear is compressed and unloads the front, lifting the body higher. Now you lift the rear and the front doesnt stay lifted, does it?

We need some Free Body Diagramming here. The airbags simply REDUCE the sag, there is no physical way for them to transfer weight to the front. The WDH effectively eliminates the RR wheels as a pivot point to force weight onto the front axle.

[rocky]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

Clear to me, they are concerned with the potential for improper adjustment, not the WDH itself.

Without one you are taking weight off the front wheel and lowering stability and control.

The airbags mask the sag, they do not help prevent lightening of the front wheel load

100% agreed. Honda is NOT against WDH just badly set up ones.

Its a horrible piece of owners manual writing.

[RinconVTR]

Originally Posted by 2bz

We need some Free Body Diagramming here. The airbags simply REDUCE the sag, there is no physical way for them to transfer weight to the front. The WDH effectively eliminates the RR wheels as a pivot point to force weight onto the front axle.

You're making this entirely too complicated. Maybe some are considering "weight transfer" to be something great. It is not.

So why dont you just try it;

Measure the normal front fender distance to the ground, then again with heavy weight on the rear, and again using a jack on rear end to regain normal ride height with heavy weight on the rear, then report back the fender heights.

This is the result:
Weight behind the rear axle raises the front end.
Jacking up the loaded rear slightly lowers the front.
(The front end does not continue to lift when the loaded rear is lifted!!!)

[Yahooligan]

Originally Posted by RinconVTR

You're making this entirely too complicated. Maybe some are considering "weight transfer" to be something great. It is not.

So why dont you just try it;

Measure the normal front fender distance to the ground, then again with heavy weight on the rear, and again using a jack on rear end to regain normal ride height with heavy weight on the rear, then report back the fender heights.

This is the result:
Weight behind the rear axle raises the front end.
Jacking up the loaded rear slightly lowers the front.
(The front end does not continue to lift when the loaded rear is lifted!!!)

If only your "test" were valid. Jacking up the rear changes where the weight is being transferred, the jack itself is taking on the weight and transferring it directly to the ground. Why not just use the trailer jack to raise the rear end back up? You'd get similar flawed results.

Airbags are not a substitute for a WDH. They don't add cargo/weight capacity and they do not redistribute weight like a WDH. To think otherwise is just being ignorant.