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bettertogeth · 04-19-2016, 07:12 AM

FYI:
Successfully towing 2007 Honda Pilot EXL 4wd automatic four down. After doing much research we decided to keep our 07 Pilot as our toad because it is so good at everything we do. We now have over 500 miles on it four down with absolutely no problems. We have a Roadmaster Falcon 2 and an Invisibrake.
We towed through the deserts and mountains of Arizona, closely following the 'rules': never over 65mph and stop every couple of hours, turn on ignition, run thru gears going from N to 1st then back to N (do not go into R). Leave it in N with key on, release parking brake and go.

Percival6 · 04-26-2016, 11:33 AM

Glad to hear it's working well for you! I bought a used 2005 Pilot thinking it was the latest model year that could be towed 4 down. I wish I had found out more info and other people's experiences regarding newer model years. The key to success is exactly what you said, follow the rules, and it should be trouble free.

Remember to change transmission fluid more frequently, the odometer won't track towed mileage, but the transmission will wear the fluid out sooner.

Enjoy your trips!

Lit · 04-26-2016, 07:46 PM

I've never heard of this before; "the transmission will wear the fluid out sooner." Would you care to explain this statement?

Mr_D · 04-26-2016, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Percival6

Glad to hear it's working well for you! I bought a used 2005 Pilot thinking it was the latest model year that could be towed 4 down. I wish I had found out more info and other people's experiences regarding newer model years. The key to success is exactly what you said, follow the rules, and it should be trouble free.

Remember to change transmission fluid more frequently, the odometer won't track towed mileage, but the transmission will wear the fluid out sooner.

Enjoy your trips!

Actually it was the '04 model that was the last year of being towable, just like our '05 Odyssey. Honda said that any owners manual that said the '05 was towable were printed in error. We asked about trading our non four down towable '05 Odyssey for a '05 Pilot, that's when we got the answer about the '05's not being towable either. Honda ended up paying us $2,200 for the towing gear we bought and had installed before they came out and declared the '05's weren't towable. Luckily we had it in writing, on Honda letterhead that the '05 Ody was towable four down. Made it very had for Honda to say we were wrong!

And yes, the transmission fluid must be changed more often when being towed four down as per their instructions.

Percival6 · 04-26-2016, 08:27 PM

Oh well, we have the '05 and it's working well for us.
The whole reason Honda changed their position on towing 4 down, is they had too many transmission warranty claims from people not following the instructions perfectly.
All models up until 2014 (I think?) have the exact same transmission as the original model (including the CRV, Odyssey, and Element.) So they are towable, but if anything should happen, it's on you and your wallet.
Yes, as Mr.D said, we are supposed to keep track of towed mileage and subtract it from the maintenance interval for the Trans fluid.
Lit, the reason the Honda transmissions work and that we have to follow an exact procedure at start up, is that the drive shaft is connected to the transmission output shaft and the fluid pump. When the rear wheels turn the fluid is pumped through the transmission and cooler. Keeping it lubed and cooled.

Mr_D · 04-26-2016, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Percival6

Lit, the reason the Honda transmissions work and that we have to follow an exact procedure at start up, is that the drive shaft is connected to the transmission output shaft and the fluid pump. When the rear wheels turn the fluid is pumped through the transmission and cooler. Keeping it lubed and cooled.

Which is why some US cars/trucks with auto or even manual trans can't be towed. The fluid pump runs off the input shaft so no fluid is pumped when the engine is off. On a stick the fluid is slung around by the gears or some plates, if that's done by the input shaft then the same thing happens, no lubrication to the gears. Not real common for manual trans though as there is usually enough fluid churning around to keep them lubed.