I would suggest loading up the truck, trailer and Pilot and take it to a truck stop with scales,look for the CAT sign, this will give you the best indication of the actual weight. Compare the weight on the scales to the Pilot's GCWR of 9579. If the the scale weight is less then 9579 then you should be good to go, if it is over then you may have a problem. You would probably also just want to weigh the truck and trailer seperate to make sure you are not over the towing capacity of 4500. I would not attempt that far of a trip if you are over the max towing capacity or GCWR.

 

My aluminum-skinned sports/turing coupe weighs 3200 lbs, and is noticeably smaller than your truck. I'd be amazed if your truck weighs in at 3000 lbs. As the last poster suggests, go weigh the truck, then the truck and trailer combo to see if you are within the ratings of the Pilot.

My last open steel car trailer was close to 1000 lbs empty, and it was sports-car size. It was just over 3000 lbs with a race car, toolbox, tires and spares on board.


Make sure your car trailer has brakes on it. My first one didn't, as the manufacture claimed that it was light enough to not need them. A couple years into ownership, the axles/tires/wheels were uprated to match the loaded weight, and I had surge brakes fitted. Since this will be your own trailer I trust, fit up a good set of electric brakes. The Pilot has wiring provisions for them, and they offer some advantages (like the ability to back up uphill without getting out and pinning the brakes) over surge brakes.

 

As the previous poster mentioned, I'd be amazed if that truck of yours weighs less than 4000 lbs and any trailer designed to haul a big truck like this usually weighs at least 2K lbs. For occasional towing with all the right equipment (especially good trailer brakes) over moderate distances with extremely conservative driving, I might push the 4500-lb limit by a few hundred, but I just don't think you're remotely close to this.

- Mark

 

Thanks for the input guys, we do have a local truck scale near by so I will check to see what the total weight of the truck and trailer are then make my decision.

 

I pulled my son's 2002 Chevy Impala on a car dolly. It pulled really easy. Better than my 3500 lb boat.

 

I pulled my son's 2002 Chevy Impala on a car dolly. . . .

Of course. Its a Chevy, it was not going to get there under its own power.

 

Ok, I have a simple question regarding this. I'm in the process of purchasing either a Fit or Element for my 16yr old daughter. Downside is they are 2 hours away (all highway) from my home. The fit would be fine with either a dolly or auto trailer from uhaul, but the Element can't be towed with a dolly (front wheels of ground) due to the AWD system. The Element has to be trailered. I have the full towing and offroad package on my '16 EX-L with the ATF Cooler. This gives me the 5k towing. The trailer from uhaul has a weight of 2210 lbs. (empty) and with the Element can top out at 3500 lbs. That means I'd be around 5700 lbs. total. Do you think if I used the D4 (yes, I have the shifter, not push button) I'd be able to work that for the distance if I took my time?

 

My recommendation is to hire a U haul truck as well. Sure it's only 2 hours away, but it's summer, hot, and that transmission fluid will, especially on hills, especially if you are running at speed heat up higher then you've seen it go in the past.

I've towed a similar weight car on uhaul auto transport but used my f150. It didn't break a sweat, but then it's made for it. I've also know of a friend who towed a car with his six speed Pilot until the transmission said enough. It took a fluid change or two to bring it back to life.

You can probably get a U haul truck and auto transport trailer for a day for less than a atf fluid change.

 

My recommendation is to hire a U haul truck as well. Sure it's only 2 hours away, but it's summer, hot, and that transmission fluid will, especially on hills, especially if you are running at speed heat up higher then you've seen it go in the past.

I've towed a similar weight car on uhaul auto transport but used my f150. It didn't break a sweat, but then it's made for it. I've also know of a friend who towed a car with his six speed Pilot until the transmission said enough. It took a fluid change or two to bring it back to life.

You can probably get a U haul truck and auto transport trailer for a day for less than a atf fluid change.

My local home Depot rents all sorts of U-Haul trucks, I just checked the F250 is $130 for the day. You can check Penske and other UHaul lots too, I've just always found home Depot to be more convenient and less annoying to deal with.

Not sure how much you're paying for the vehicle but I'm assuming another couple hundred won't break the bank especially if it's safer and easier.

 

If using the Pilot is a must, I’d use the tow dolly in both cases, removing the propeller shaft on the Element.

 

However you do it, do what it takes to get the Element rather than the Fit. At the end of the day, all else being equal, you'll be glad you did.

 

Unless fuel mileage for commuting is concern as well as years and mileage for each. My friend loves his Fit (sport with manual tranny). Surprising amount of room in it and with true winter tires has never left him stuck and he lives up a large steep hill. His dad's 4WD pickup on all season's couldn't make it up but he did.

 

Thanks all. We're still looking at what we want to do if we get one of these vehicles.

 

I think it is between 4.2 - 4.5k lbs. Check out my old lowrider I traded a sandrail for it. Traded it for an RV. Had a ton of work done on it.