Community Forums

worob · 07-02-2014, 06:30 PM

Looking at 2003 Honda Pilot as toad. Is my 36 ft Cayman with 300 Cummins ok to tow 4400 toad?

onechaddude · 07-02-2014, 07:03 PM

I have an 07 neptune that has 325 cummins. I tow an 07 jeep grand Cherokee hemi and I'm guessing it weighs around 5000. Neither of us is a powerhouse to begin with but I think is does a great job for what it is. Honestly I can't tell much difference when towing or not.

Chad

Papa_Jim · 07-02-2014, 08:08 PM

Our coach has the Cummins C8.3 mechanical engine, 250HP from factory, with Banks Stinger Kit added, supposedly putting it at about 325HP.

We tow a 2005 Honda Pilot. I can honestly say that as far as power is concerned, we never know it's behind us.

Also, we have found the Honda Pilot to be an EXTREMELY durable and reliable and comfortable vehicle. We highly recommend it, both as a toad and an everyday vehicle.

Jim

worob · 07-04-2014, 09:05 AM

Have you notice a significant drop in fuel consumption?

Gorlininc · 07-04-2014, 02:29 PM

Fuel consumption is relative. If you are driving in FL. you won't see much change on fuel mileage. In CO or the mountains I see about 0.5 MPG less with a toad than no toad. The mountain mileage is already decreased by the workload.

Muddypaws · 07-04-2014, 02:34 PM

We recently looked at Pilots and were told that they are not towable 4-down by Honda.

Buford B · 07-05-2014, 05:46 AM

We tow an 2003 Pilot. It is towable according to Honda. Read the manual all towable Honda's have the same towing proceedure.

Muddypaws · 07-05-2014, 09:27 AM

We were looking at 2013/2014 models.

Arch Hoagland · 07-05-2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worob

Have you notice a significant drop in fuel consumption?

I go from 7 mpg to 14 mpg when I tow....two vehicles get to where you are going for the fuel that one uses.

My toad weighs 4,020lb and my gasser pulls it fine. You'll do great!

wthibeaux · 07-05-2014, 11:09 AM

Friend tows 2006 pilot. Says that is last year towable 4 down.

Papa_Jim · 07-05-2014, 08:27 PM

The older Honda Pilots (up to I believe 2006-ish) are certified as towable by Honda. The owners manuals explain in detail the required procedure for preparing the transmission for towing. Start the engine, shift from park to neutral, then shift through all the drive gears and back to neutral, and allow the engine to idle for 3 minutes. Turn off engine, placing the key in the accessory position. Good to tow for up to 8 hours at a maximum speed of 65 mph.

Newer year models of the Honda Pilot had the same transmission, and I understand that there are some that are towing those models, although Honda discontinued stating that the vehicles could be towed. I understand that too many people were disregarding the required setup procedure, which of course would destroy the transmission.

I don't know in what year Honda changed their policy on this. I also don't know if the transmission design has been changed, and if so, what year that design was changed.

Jim

Papa_Jim · 07-05-2014, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worob

Have you notice a significant drop in fuel consumption?

On flat land we honestly do not know that the Honda Pilot is behind us. On grades, I assume that we realize possibly a 1/2 mpg loss. But I'm guessing on that. I can't say that I've noticed a decrease in power on steep grades, but in all honesty, I haven't ascended the same grade with and without the toad. All of our driving is with the toad, so I don't have any real comparison information.

Our first trip with the coach was without toad, and our coach fuel mileage was between 7 and 9 mpg, averaging 8 mpg. Every subsequent trip has been with toad, and our fuel mileage really doesn't appear to have changed much. I don't know how I'd really know accurately if fuel mileage was consistently lower due to pulling the toad.

I know that the fuel mileage would improve if I'd slow down a little. But the coach rolls nicely at 62 miles/hour, and it has lots of power to do it.

Jim

Arch Hoagland · 07-06-2014, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wthibeaux

Friend tows 2006 pilot. Says that is last year towable 4 down.

We bought a 2006 Pilot to tow. Talked to the sales manager first and he brought the manual in and we read that it was 4 down towable.

Had it for about two months and about 6,000 miles. Then I discovered that Honda came out and said you couldn't tow the 2006.

I called the sales manger and explained what I had heard. He said he'd check and then called me back the next day and said bring the car back and we'll refund all your money. We did...no hassle at all and they gave us every penny.

I don't know why Honda said they weren't towable as the transmission, etc. was the same as prior years.

If I had it to do over again I'd just keep towing it.