Looking to purchase a R-Pod182G can a Honda Pilot

Originally posted by GlueGuy I did a quick check on the 2017 Honda Pilot, and it has a listed towing capacity of 3500-5000 lbs. That sounds like the "base" Pilot (3500 lb capacity) would be marginal, but there is probably a towing package that will increase that to 5000 lbs. So if this is a new car decision, I would say go for the two package, and anything else you can do to beef it up. Plenty of people have gone too small with their TV, and lived to regret it. The people that have gone the other way rarely regret it.

Ok I had my daughter check her owners manual and her 2017 Honda Pilot is AWD with a tow capacity of 5,000lbs. The R-Pod 183G is about 3K pounds. So we should be good to go right?

Originally posted by CharlieM from my personal experience with a 2010 4WD Pilot and RP172 you will be on the margin with the 182. On flat ground at low elevations it will be fine but altitude and mountains will be a challenge. We pulled the Pod up and over some of Colorado's steepest paved passes and we made it, but parts were in first and second gears. The Honda gearing is strange in that there is a big hole between 1st and 2nd. A gear between would have been perfect. Don't even consider the 2WD version, or any other 2WD SUV. Most 2WD SUVs are front wheel drive (FWD) which makes no sense for towing. The 4WD Honda package includes a transmission oil cooler, beefed up alternator, and a beefier hitch. Be sure to get the 7 pin trailer connector and you'll want to add a transmission temperature monitor. That's critical when hauling up long steep hills. Don't rely on the factory supplied red idiot light. You'll also need a weight distributing hitch (WDH) like a 600/6000 E2. Makes all the difference.

Ok she had a company called Toys For Truck put on Hitch on her Honda Pilot. I will have to make sure they put on a 7 pin trailer connector. Does she need a transmission cooler added on her Honda AWD? It didn't come with one on hers but one can be added. We live in a pretty flat driving area.

Just adding my 2 cents here. We've been pulling a 2017 176T with our 2007 Honda Pilot AWD for almost 2 weeks now. We started in Fort Worth, TX, went to El Paso, Albuquerque and we're now in Taos,NM (elevation 6,900). Leaving for Denver today. Headwinds and mountain passes are a killer. We're going over most steep hills at 50mph. We're also averaging 10mpg. On flat ground it tows nicely at 70mph and 3200 rpm.

Ours didn't have the factory tow package, but I installed the hitch and transmission cooler myself, the local uhaul installed the brake controller. Go to uhauls website to locate an installer near you. I also installed a K&N air filter just to let the engine breath better. I'd also HIGHLY recommend you install a sway control kit as well. We didn't have one when we left and I couldn't go over 60mph without the trailer starting to sway pretty significantly. We have one now and no more issues. We got the Curt ball mount with sway control tab (https://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/Curt/D320.html) from etrailer because I didn't want to find someone to weld on the tab that comes with the sway kit and it had a 3/4" rise, making it the perfect height for hitching up the trailer.

Your weights sound fine, but always check them at the scales. Most truck stops have them and will only cost you $11. Most scales have different sections for the different axles so you can situate yourself on them so that the loaded Pilot is on one and the loaded trailer is on the other. You should be able to use your Pilot owners manual to estimate the tongue weight. There should be a table that tells you the estimated weight based on how many inches the hitch lowered when the trailer was hitched up. You want 10-15% of your total trailer weight to be on the tongue. This will also help with trailer sway.

Also check your owners manual for tow capacities. Ours has a max tow rating of 4,500lbs, but that's only if your towing a boat. 3,500lbs max for everything else. We have two adults and two kids (4yrs and 2yrs) in the Pilot and the trailer storage areas are pretty much maxed out. We never travel with water in the tanks and our trailer loaded weight is 3,200lbs.

Towing with the Pilot can be done safely and within limits, just be sure you verify all fully loaded weights and don't have any illusions of winning a drag race, or passing anyone. I've become very acquainted with the right lane.

Hope this helps and enjoy your Pod.

Yes! We have a 2012 pilot and last weekend we picked up our 2018 182G and we are in love! We live in WA and have to travel over mountain passes and it's doing great! my husband worked in the service department for honda for 13 years so he did his research. In the future we might add an exta coolant just to be safe.