wanna be podder

It's always a hot-button topic when someone asks if their tow vehicle will be able to handle an R-pod.  On the one extreme will be those who say, "You could pull a Pod with a four cylinder rated at 3,000 lbs."  On the other extreme are those who say, "Don't pull with anything less than 6,000 lb. tow capability."  (I'm assuming, by the way, that your Pilot has the towing package.)

You certainly would be within the limits of your Pilot's 4,500 lb. tow capacity with an R-pod.  But I believe you'll be pushing its limits when it's loaded with everything (battery/propane/food/utensils/etc.), plus your family and all your gear in the vehicle.  You definitely will struggle in the mountains.

So, can you?  I believe you can.  Will you wish you had a different vehicle, one with greater towing capacity?  Probably.  Will you ruin your car?  I doubt it.  Will your family be in danger?  Again, I doubt it.  But you will likely be a bit frustrated by the lack of power.  You definitely will need to be patient with driving at speeds lower than you're used to.

That's my $.02/worth.  Worth every penny, I'm sure.

Well said, I agree.

Welcome.  I agree that you'll be fine.  As for wind resistance, it is king as Mountainrev said.  We pulled our popup with a Sienna and it got 23 mpg for daily driving.  When pulling the popup, which weighed close to 3500 pounds loaded, it got 16.  Pulling the pod, which was below 3000 loaded, it got 12.  Less weight on the pod, but lower mpg.