Community Forums

afrank1971 · 07-19-2012, 05:44 AM

I know there have been many posts about the towability of the newer Pilots, but I'm asking specifically, is there anyone towing a 2012 Honda Pilot? We have a 2004 Pilot that we want to upgrade and replace with a 2012. Everything I can find so far says that nothing has changed, the transmission is still a rear pump transmission and should be just as towable as my 2004 (which is a great toad by the way). Of course, big problem is, Honda no longer supports towing Pilot's 2005+/- and newer 4 down, so hence the post. Remco, Roadmaster, BlueOx, they all make brackets for the 2011 and 2012, someone has to be out there towing one. I'm just looking for confirmation please. (moderator edit)
Thanks,
Alan

jlfbatonrg · 07-21-2012, 06:13 PM

Go to the REMCO towing website, and enter your vehicle. They will provde the informatin you need, including whether it is towable or not. If they don't have your vehicle, go to the Motorhome Magazine website, and look up 2012 vehicle dingy towing. They will list all the vehicles that are towable 4 down.

ga traveler · 07-21-2012, 06:28 PM

I was in the same boat as you. I had a 2002 civic and was time to trade. Honda said no to towing, but Remco said it was OK. I bought a 2012 civic last August and have towed with no problems. I say go for it.

afrank1971 · 07-25-2012, 05:33 AM

Thanks for the reply ga traveler, that's the same conclusion we've come to in the end, new Pilot here we come. I did go one step further though. So I'd know what my little gamble might cost if it goes bad, I checked with my mechanic on what a new Pilot transmission will cost me if I do kill it. Replacing the transmission would run about $3,500. Not cheap, but not the end of the world either. Given the thousands of miles I've towed the 2004 Pilot, and the fact that everyone confirms nothing has changed, I doubt that will happen. But if it does, at least I can be mentally prepared.

footdoc · 07-28-2012, 08:10 PM

afrank
Please keep us all informed of your results...most of us Honda lovers are not as brave as you even if we agree with your thoughts

afrank1971 · 07-29-2012, 10:00 AM

I certainly will let everyone know how it goes. However, I must admit, now that the shiny new Pilot is sitting in the driveway, I'm not feeling quite as brave as I was when I made the decision. Most particularly because I have both a Chevy Silverado and a Jeep Wrangler hooked up for towing, both of which make fine tow vehicles, just not quite as nice as the Pilot. We'll see if I go through with it, and if I do I'll let everyone know how it goes.

crockett · 09-13-2012, 05:53 PM

I have a new pilot that I have towed once.. I am in the same boat your are in. Let's stay in touch

Mr_D · 09-13-2012, 06:10 PM

The only Honda's approved for four down towing are the Fit and CR-V now.

We have a '05 Ody that we got it in writing direct from Honda Corporate that it was towable before we bought ours. Honda later rescinded that, it cost them about $2,200.

Mr_D · 09-13-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afrank1971

I certainly will let everyone know how it goes. However, I must admit, now that the shiny new Pilot is sitting in the driveway, I'm not feeling quite as brave as I was when I made the decision. Most particularly because I have both a Chevy Silverado and a Jeep Wrangler hooked up for towing, both of which make fine tow vehicles, just not quite as nice as the Pilot. We'll see if I go through with it, and if I do I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Well, remember that your running gear warranty is pretty much gone if you set it up to tow four down. And they do look for the brackets!
In fact I even ran into trouble with the local dealer over a bad antenna cable. I even found a reference to it in a magazine test. The radio was fuzzy and got worse when you hit a bumpy stretch of road. Dealer claimed it was due to the towing wiring. I argued that the wirinf was only active when I was towing it and the radio was off then and no one could hear it anyway!! Showed them the magazine article and told them to do it, if that didn't work I'd pay for it myself. It worked and no problem since.

ga traveler · 09-14-2012, 05:59 AM

I towed a 2002 Civic for ten years with no problems. I have towed my 2012 Civic for over a year with no problems.

MCDDY · 09-21-2012, 09:55 AM

We got our 2012 Pilot just before Christmas and towed it to a rally in Feb. I'll admit I was somewhat apprehensive but got over it real quick. Our FMCA chapter has 8 members towing 05 and newer Pilots with no problems. One of our good friends there who tows a 2011 is a retired service mgr. from a large Honda dealership here in Louisiana. His SIL is one of the current service mgrs. at that same dealership and both agree that the current Pilots and Odysseys have the same trannys as the older ones. The Pilot tows well, just have to go thru the same steps as before. I installed the Blue Ox baseplate myself, fairly easy install except you have to pull off the whole front facia and it's impossible to get it back on by yourslef. Farthest I've towed it is from here, Big Easy Burbs, to Destin, Fla. last month. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we do ours.

Dave

Samuangelman · 09-29-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCDDY

We got our 2012 Pilot just before Christmas and towed it to a rally in Feb. I'll admit I was somewhat apprehensive but got over it real quick. Our FMCA chapter has 8 members towing 05 and newer Pilots with no problems. One of our good friends there who tows a 2011 is a retired service mgr. from a large Honda dealership here in Louisiana. His SIL is one of the current service mgrs. at that same dealership and both agree that the current Pilots and Odysseys have the same trannys as the older ones. The Pilot tows well, just have to go thru the same steps as before. I installed the Blue Ox baseplate myself, fairly easy install except you have to pull off the whole front facia and it's impossible to get it back on by yourslef. Farthest I've towed it is from here, Big Easy Burbs, to Destin, Fla. last month. Hope you enjoy yours as much as we do ours.

Dave

Hello
I have just traded my 2009 Saturn which I flat towed for a 2012 Pilot which the dealer said was towable until I got home today and read the book. But everything I have read today said yes I can.
My Question is what steps do you perform with the transmission before durring and after towing?

Thank you

crockett · 09-29-2012, 03:39 PM

Warm the engine up. Go from park to reverse to neutral to drive to d3 to d2 to d1 then back to d2 to d3 to drive to neutral.. Do not go back to reverse.. Repeat ever 500 miles. That's what I was told and have done.. I pull a 2012 also.. This is my first time also. Good luck

bdickson · 09-29-2012, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crockett

Warm the engine up. Go from park to reverse to neutral to drive to d3 to d2 to d1 then back to d2 to d3 to drive to neutral.. Do not go back to reverse.. Repeat ever 500 miles. That's what I was told and have done.. I pull a 2012 also.. This is my first time also. Good luck

That is what the owners manual says for my 2012 CR-V. If you go from Reverse to Neutral and then tow, unspecified BAD THINGS happen. Is your Pilot 4WD/AWD? The AWD CR-V MUST be towed 4 down according to the manual. I suspect that any Honda with the lube pump on the output shaft can be towed 4 down, Honda just don't want the liability.