R-pod Owners Forum : Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Camping Adventures : Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sat, 05 Sep 2026 15:15:11 +0000 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 21:07:43 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=4098 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : Markie,Passengers = twoTotal weight... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39628#39628 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 4098
Posted: 14 Oct 2013 at 9:07pm

Markie,

Passengers = two

Total weight of TV and TT = 8720# including 150# of waste/fresh water. The rated Gross Combined Vehicle Weight at sea level per Honda = 9579#. This is the more important rating vs the 4500# trailer weight.

I use the E2 WDH which includes anti-sway. It works very well.
]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2013 21:07:43 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39628#39628 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : Hello again Charlie, I do have... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39627#39627 Author: Markie
Subject: 4098
Posted: 14 Oct 2013 at 8:49pm

Hello again Charlie, I do have a couple questions if you don't mind.
1. How many passengers do you have on board
2. What was your total weight of TV and trailer? Anywhere close to the 4500lbs?
3. What WDH model and Anti-sway do you have?

Markie   
]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2013 20:49:10 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39627#39627 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : Sailo25 - My 2010 Pilot book makes... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39594#39594 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 4098
Posted: 14 Oct 2013 at 9:24am

Sailo25 - My 2010 Pilot book makes no mention of boat vs other trailer, but I think Mfg'rs are becoming aware of the parachute effect of RVs. I'm reading about similar notations on other TVs.

P&M - Trust me. Retirement is great and worth waiting/saving for. I don't know how I ever had time to go to work. Having too much fun now. Have faith...it'll happen to you too.

Markie - Glad you are OK with your 178/Pilot combo. I was convinced my rig was safe (brake controller, sway, WDH), but I was unsure about pulling steep grades at altitude. This trip was the test with 7% grades at 11,000 feet. My post was to answer this question for others who were asking the same question. All went well, albeit, slowly. Honda's 4.73 axel ratio helps overcome the 3.5L engine limitation.
]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2013 09:24:32 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39594#39594 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : Hey Charlie, congrats on a successful... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39592#39592 Author: Markie
Subject: 4098
Posted: 14 Oct 2013 at 8:49am

Hey Charlie, congrats on a successful trip. I'm getting close to retirement and plan on a similar trip sometime in the near future.
We just bought our 178 and we too pull with a Pilot ( 2013 touring).  We bought the 2500 lb pod specifically to be towed with the Pilot with a 4500 lb. towing capacity. My concern was not knowing the weight of our "stuff".  I didn't want to push the total weight limit .  I know manufatures sometimes over rate their product to make it more appealing. I didn't want to find out the hard way that the Pilot just didn't have the stuff  to pull.    After our trip last weekend I am alot more comfortable. It was the first time out and we camped locally but I got a good feel for the rig and have more confidence we made the right decision, espescially after reading your post. I wish I would have seen a similar post before our purchase, I would have slept a lot better the night before the sale.   Smile   ]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:49:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39592#39592 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : (and now for something completely... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39589#39589 Author: P&M
Subject: 4098
Posted: 14 Oct 2013 at 8:15am

(and now for something completely different ...) 
 
CharlieM, love the pics and it sounds like you had a great trip.  That was some high-altitude camping for sure.  I am envious of you and others that can take that kind of time off for longer Pod trips, and look forward to when we can do that ourselves! 
]]> Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:15:48 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39589#39589 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : The way I read my manual in my... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39578#39578 Author: sailo25
Subject: 4098
Posted: 13 Oct 2013 at 9:59pm

The way I read my manual in my 2013 pilot that the towing capacity is 4500 lbs for pulling a boat, but 3500 for all other trailers. I am sure this is do to the frontage or wind blocking caused by a trailer like the pod. I pull a 151 with two kayaks on the pilot and have a good time traveling and feel safe with a brake control and sway bar]]> Sun, 13 Oct 2013 21:59:12 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39578#39578 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : Originally posted by retiredtravelerSorry.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39539#39539 Author: Sleepless
Subject: 4098
Posted: 13 Oct 2013 at 10:48am

Originally posted by retiredtraveler

Sorry. I have a real issue with this kind of nonsense.   


All comments like this do is irritate the readers.  Especially if you don't know the facts.  The towing capabilities of this particular TV have been discussed before and Charlie is probably more safety conscious than most of us.


]]> Sun, 13 Oct 2013 10:48:22 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39539#39539 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : Originally posted by retiredtravelerSorry.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39538#39538 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 4098
Posted: 13 Oct 2013 at 10:29am

Originally posted by retiredtraveler

Sorry. I have a real issue with this kind of nonsense. You're vastly exceeding your vehicle capacity and you might well be able to accomplish the trip you did, but you're definitely straining your vehicle.
   The real issue is safety. You don't have the braking power to easily stop if someone steps out in front of you while you're exceeding your limits by at least 50%.
   I don't care if you endanger yourself but you're putting others in danger by towing overcapacity.   


So, please explain your reasoning for "exceeding  your limits by at least 50%" The 4WD Pilot is rated at 4500# towing. The GCVW is 9579#. My combination is within both of these ratings, confirmed at the CAT truck scales. Altitude affects only engine pulling power, not braking, frame, hitch, transmission or other safety ratings.

So please explain. 
]]> Sun, 13 Oct 2013 10:29:51 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39538#39538 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : Originally posted by retiredtravelerSorry.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39537#39537 Author: Keith-N-Dar
Subject: 4098
Posted: 13 Oct 2013 at 10:28am

Originally posted by retiredtraveler

Sorry. I have a real issue with this kind of nonsense. You're vastly exceeding your vehicle capacity and you might well be able to accomplish the trip you did, but you're definitely straining your vehicle.
   The real issue is safety. You don't have the braking power to easily stop if someone steps out in front of you while you're exceeding your limits by at least 50%.
   I don't care if you endanger yourself but you're putting others in danger by towing overcapacity.   


Looking up the towing capacity of a 2010 Honda Pilot it seems that a 172 is within specs.  If it is 4wd then it is rated at 4500 pounds, and unless the pod is loaded heavy it is in the ballpark.  A 2wd version is rated 3500 pounds, and will be close, but hardly exceeding limits by 50%.  I am also going to assume that the OP knows how to adjust his brake controller, so brakes on the pod will handle most of the extra braking.  The danger to the OP and others is minimal.


]]> Sun, 13 Oct 2013 10:28:31 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39537#39537 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : I'm probably wrong but I... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39535#39535 Author: Craneman
Subject: 4098
Posted: 13 Oct 2013 at 10:20am

I'm probably wrong but I just read on honda's official site that Honda pilot 4wd has a 4500# towing cap. Must have read it wrong.
     Moe
]]> Sun, 13 Oct 2013 10:20:37 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39535#39535 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : Sorry. I have a real issue with... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39534#39534 Author: retiredtraveler
Subject: 4098
Posted: 13 Oct 2013 at 9:50am

Sorry. I have a real issue with this kind of nonsense. You're vastly exceeding your vehicle capacity and you might well be able to accomplish the trip you did, but you're definitely straining your vehicle.
   The real issue is safety. You don't have the braking power to easily stop if someone steps out in front of you while you're exceeding your limits by at least 50%.
   I don't care if you endanger yourself but you're putting others in danger by towing overcapacity.   ]]> Sun, 13 Oct 2013 09:50:35 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39534#39534 Mountain Towing With Honda Pilot : Who says the Honda... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39529#39529 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 4098
Posted: 12 Oct 2013 at 11:10pm

Who says the Honda Pilot (3.5L 4WD) can’t pull a Pod up theColorado mountain passes? We just completed a 5+ week, 5434 mile trip through12 states including the mountains of Colorado. The pictures are on Owl CreekPass at 10,114 feet with snow and mud. No problem for the Pilot. The real testswere Red Mountain (11075 Ft) and Wolf Creek (10856 ft) passes with grades of7%. These are some of the highest and steepest Colorado passes on pavedhighways and the Pilot did fine going up and coming down. Some first and second gear time, but notransmission temperatures over 233 degrees. The slow speeds were fine for theencountered road conditions. We averaged 12.7 MPG.


We spent three nights dry camping at 9500 feet and allappliances worked well. One night it got down to 26 degrees and nothing froze.An occasional  flush during the nightinsured the fresh water line from tank to pump did not freeze. The rest of thewater lines are inside the Pod.

]]> Sat, 12 Oct 2013 23:10:35 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4098&PID=39529#39529