Community Forums

ccissna · 11-27-2016, 04:12 PM

I have a 2006 Fleetwood Sea Pine, about 2500 pounds. My family and I are looking into getting a 2017 Keystone Passport Express 239MLWE. I have a 2016 Honda Pilot with a tow capacity of 5,000 pounds. I would be getting an Andersen No-Sway Weight Distribution Hitch. Do you think this is a good idea, or should I look for a lighter floor plan.
2017 Keystone Passport Express 239MLWE Specs
Dry Weight:3,985 pounds
CCC: 1,415 pounds
GVWR: 5,400 pounds
Hitch Weight: 425 pounds
Length: 25' 5"
Height: 10' 2"

Mr_D · 11-27-2016, 04:13 PM

You might get by with it but slowly, plus the Honda transmissions aren't really
made for working them like that. I wouldn't be satisfied with that combo the Pilot is too light and underpowered for my likes for this combo.

Badlands Bob · 11-27-2016, 06:02 PM

As long as you are the only one in the vehicle and you don't put anything in the trailer, you may be alright if you stay off the interstates and keep your speed down and don't try to go uphill and don't drive on windy days. Otherwise, this is too much trailer for your tow vehicle.

chaps2018 · 11-27-2016, 07:36 PM

Agree with the above. It will likely be a white knuckle tow ride and you will be exhausted by the time you stop for the day. Based on my towing experience with the pilot, you will find yourself targeting parks within an hour distance max. (and your family will be in a 2nd vehicle as noted above)

Based on my experience with the Andersen hitch--it is a good choice since it is a lighter weight hitch (ie, hitch weight deducted from the 5k# limit) than other choices and is simpler and faster to use.

1bigmess · 11-27-2016, 07:47 PM

You really shouldn't' be looking at any trailer that has a GVWR higher than the tow rating of the tow vehicle.

Also keep in mind the tow rating does *not* take into account the amount of weight the tow vehicle can carry on the tongue of the trailer. That is another can of worms altogether.

ccissna · 11-28-2016, 01:51 AM

Would a floorplan like the LivinLite CampLite 21BHS be better? I would not be using all of the CCC. My towing capacity w/ 4 passengers and cargo is 4,500 pounds per the owners manual.
2017 Livin' Lite CampLite 21BHS
Dry Weight: 3,600 pounds
CCC: 2,416 pounds
GVWR: 6,016 pounds
Hitch Weight: 416 pounds
Width: 7'
Lengh: 24' 10"

ccissna · 11-28-2016, 02:04 AM

I'm also open to any suggestions on floorplans, but I do want to keep my tow vehicle.

SmokeyWren · 11-28-2016, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccissna

I'm also open to any suggestions on floorplans, but I do want to keep my tow vehicle.

Then stop looking at travel trailers (TTs) and instead look at pop-up tent camping trailers with GVWR less than 4,000 pounds. There are some very nice camping trailers with all the extras such as AC, restroom with hot water shower, gas stove, microwave, etc. with GVWR less than 4,000 pounds. I towed an even lighter camping trailer for over 10 years all over the USA when my kids were small. Our camping trailer was a lot better than a tent, but it didn't have AC or propane anything or even lights. We carried Coleman gasoline stove, lantern and catalytic heater, a big plastic dishpan, and a 5-gallon jug for water. Wonderful memories.

But today we could have enjoyed the luxury of a full-featured camping trailer like this one:
Rockwood Tent Folding Camping Trailers by Forest River RV

09 harley · 11-29-2016, 01:35 PM

Your combo will not work. The suggestion to go lighter is the only solution. We see many posts with people trying to fit a trailer to their tow vehicle. It should be approached the other way around. I assume you bought the Pilot without ever thinking you might buy a trailer. Better to trade it in and have the proper tow vehicle and be safe in your travels.
Look at trailers like the A-Liner. They are light and very nice. Just go to camp grounds where they have restrooms. We all used to do that back in the day.

ModestMonk · 11-29-2016, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccissna

I'm also open to any suggestions on floorplans, but I do want to keep my tow vehicle.

It could be a frustration trying to fit your wants (keeping the Honda) with a good match for a trailer.

The first thought that I had was lance travel trailers have a real friendly attitude towards smaller tow vehicles the 1575 as a GVWR of 3700#'s

Sleeps four has a bath kitchen and a dinette.

They're extremely well-built people love them they are a bit pricey but you get what you pay for.

Lance 1575

MTK46 · 11-29-2016, 03:26 PM

As others have stated if you want to keep your Honda you have to look at trailers with a GVWR of under 5k.
Here is another that would work.
Aerolite 174E Floorplan Details

LarryW21 · 12-03-2016, 05:57 PM

Go lighter, much lighter. 5,000 pound trailers and front wheel drive don't mix well IMO.

RGene7001 · 12-03-2016, 08:38 PM

Unfortunately, towing Passport 238 or anything substantially better than popup with Honda Pilot does not look like a good idea. The hitch weight is 500 lb only. It has to be reinforced at Canam or similar place north of the border, so it will be able to handle double of this weight plus weight distributing forces. Not a big deal but it has to be done right. Compared to midsize SUVs with proven towing performance, like ML, Touareg, Grand Cherokee or Durango, Pilot lacks in many areas. Its much lighter, rear overhang/ratio is higher (more sway), fuel tank is small. And Honda V6s are notorious for absence of low end torque. How much rpms it has to run in order to pull full size trailer through the air at 60 mph?

RPreeb · 12-11-2016, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccissna

I have a 2006 Fleetwood Sea Pine, about 2500 pounds. My family and I are looking into getting a 2017 Keystone Passport Express 239MLWE. I have a 2016 Honda Pilot with a tow capacity of 5,000 pounds. I would be getting an Andersen No-Sway Weight Distribution Hitch. Do you think this is a good idea, or should I look for a lighter floor plan.
2017 Keystone Passport Express 239MLWE Specs
Dry Weight:3,985 pounds
CCC: 1,415 pounds
GVWR: 5,400 pounds
Hitch Weight: 425 pounds
Length: 25' 5"
Height: 10' 2"

I don't see this as being a good idea. We towed a 3200 lb popup with a 2014 Honda Ridgeline, and I really wouldn't have wanted to tow much more than that with it. We traded the Honda for a Ford F-150 when we upgraded to the Jay Feather in my sig.

The new TT is still only 5500 gross, but the F-150 has a 10,000+ limit and 1777 CC, so it pulls the new TT with far less effort than the Honda pulled the popup.