Which tow vehicle would you choose?

Originally posted by Podwan Does anyone tow with a Honda Pilot in the mountains?

I towed a 172 with a 2010 4WD Pilot for a year plus. Several trips to the Colorado Rockies over some of CO's highest passes on Interstates (Wolf Creek, Red Mountain, Monarch, etc.). First, it must be 4WD. Don't even think about it with FWD or any front wheel drive for that matter. Second, my Pod was a 172 which is close to the lightest Pod available. I selected the 172 knowing I would be towing at altitude. While the 3.5L Pilot does OK on level sea level roads, altitude and incline take their toll. The Pilot/Pod combo will work in the mountains, but you won't be the first to the top of the pass. Install a transmission temperature monitor and watch it carefully. Tow in D3, not the two OD gears 4 and 5. Climbing the hills there were times I was in 2nd gear going 20 MPH but I got there.

I tow with a 2002 Chevy Silverado extended cab. The engine is a 4.8 V8 which does well. I have a cap on my pickup which gives me tons of securable, dry, storage. We usually fold up the rear seat and slide the dog crate in. Unless you are hauling a lot of people I recommend a 1/2 ton pickup with a V8.

Vann,  I am amazed that we didn't cross paths that year.  We were there the same time as you!  We were there for a week at Moraine campground.  The day before we were evacuated we took our Explorer up Ol' Fall River Trail,  glad we had 4-wheel drive as it was rainy, foggy, and the road was a bit dicey.   I think we were probably one of the last ones to go on that road before it was closed that day in September 2013.  After that we took a hike out of Moraine during the afternoon, about a 6 miler, never stopped raining and only intensified as we hiked.  On the morning of the evacuation there was standing water everywhere in Moraine campground, we were in the A-loop and the water was probably 1.5" deep everywhere.  As we left the campground the ranger asked us which way we were going, all paths (all 3 of them) going east were washed out, our only way out was the way you went, so we experienced pretty much the same as you, quite a detour for us going all the way west, then south along Granby Lake, then into the nasty storm again as we approached Denver.  It was one of the heaviest rainstorms I have ever encountered.  About 3 hours east of Denver we finally got out of the storm and had sunshine in Nebraska.  That was a trip we will never forget.  Thanks for the reminder down memory lane!

A little off topic-Jato asked about our signature picture.  that picture was taken at Granby Lake on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. 

We had been camping in the RMNP in 2013 for about 3 days when the rains started.  you may remember that it rained forever and the entire park flooded and was isolated from all sides as roads and bridges washed out.  we were trapped there in the campground for 3 additional days until they were finally able to open the high road that went up and over the tallest mountains.  At 4pm, the rangers came to the campground and we were told we had only 1 hour to derig and get to the top before they would close the rosd again because of darkness.

We made the fastest ever teardown and started up the road in the densest fog/clouds I've ever driven in .  the road goes up to about 14,000 feet and is very narrow with few guard rails or lines.  there were rocks/boulders everywhere and it was SCARY!! Once we got to the top it was sunny and bright.  Granby lake was at the bottom and we stayed there, happy, dry and relieved. 

That picture is a very dear reminder of an amazing part of  our
RPod history.
Vann