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Globie64 · 06-03-2012, 12:32 PM

We're looking at a 2012 Honda Pilot AWD as a tow vehicle for our 19' Globetrotter (2900#dry weight). The Honda is rated for 4500#, and we've got a Ridgeline (essentially the same chassis, ladder frame under a unibody) which has been great for 100k+ with heavy loads. All the stuff we load into the trailer, except for water and propane, are carried in two duffel bags, so we're not way overloading it. I'm curious to hear the experiences of others towing with a Pilot, and particularly what kind of side mirrors are used, if the standard ones might work with an older Airstream.

Thanks

valmog · 06-03-2012, 01:37 PM

We were told that our Acura MDX which was basically a Honda Pilot was given that weight rating for a boat only...odd. We sold the MDX though and bought another TV instead to pull our 16ft Bambi.

c_lewis77 · 06-03-2012, 01:56 PM

I have an MDX also and while I love it, I personally would feel uncomfortable towing with it. The Pilot is very similar, but I would think that having a proper setup within the set parameters of the vehicles capabilities would be the best avenue to take. If you are looking at exceeding or approaching the capacities of the Pilot, it may be advantageous to consult someone that specializes in hitch setups.

Good Luck!

Friday · 06-03-2012, 02:01 PM

My brother-in-law runs a Pilot, and he quite likes it. I'm not a fan of front-wheel-drive vehicles as tow vehicles, but it can be done with the lighter trailers like yours. If you've had good luck with the Ridgeline, as you say, it's much the same. Honda doesn't make a tow mirror, but there are lots of options for snap-on gadgets. Your Globetrotter is fairly skinny...

I went for a used Sequioa for my rig... lots of cheap ones out there if you look around.

Road Ruler · 06-03-2012, 02:05 PM

We tow a larger Airstream than yours with a car with the same size engine as your Pilot. Works great with power to spare.

Here are some posts that reference the Pilot. Andrew T is a towing specialist that comments on the Pilot, Oddy, etc

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...lot-40240.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...age-45357.html

With any towing situation it is always best to consult with a towing specialist. It circumvents the "trial and error" dilemma that many folks go through with getting the right vehicle/trailer combination and the setup and adjustment of the connection hardware.

Globie64 · 06-03-2012, 02:35 PM

Thanks for the links. The tow rating for the AWD Pilot is 4500#, so our <3500# or so AS (totally loaded) is more than 20% less than the maximum rating. I had thought briefly about the Sequoia, but I don't want to have way more car than I need for 95% of my driving, if something smaller will be adequate for towing. Our Tundra (similar to the Sequoia underneath) is okay for towing. The Pilot has a 1" longer wheelbase than the MDX, not enough to make a difference. We live in an area of very twisty roads, so the smaller more nimble car is handy for towing and not towing. The Globetrotter is so little that I can almost forget I'm towing it, maybe not the same for your 34' rig, C_Lewis. Thanks for all the feedback, and the links.

Globie64 · 06-03-2012, 02:43 PM

I might add that I'm comparing the Ford Edge, Highlander, Traverse to the Pilot. I also have to say that I'm kind of biased, the Hondas are so reliable, and my experiences with Fords have been a lot less so. I do get space-envy when I get to see inside the larger trailers, but for now, it's the 19 footer.

c_lewis77 · 06-03-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Globie64

Thanks for the links. The tow rating for the AWD Pilot is 4500#, so our <3500# or so AS (totally loaded) is more than 20% less than the maximum rating. I had thought briefly about the Sequoia, but I don't want to have way more car than I need for 95% of my driving, if something smaller will be adequate for towing. Our Tundra (similar to the Sequoia underneath) is okay for towing. The Pilot has a 1" longer wheelbase than the MDX, not enough to make a difference. We live in an area of very twisty roads, so the smaller more nimble car is handy for towing and not towing. The Globetrotter is so little that I can almost forget I'm towing it, maybe not the same for your 34' rig, C_Lewis. Thanks for all the feedback, and the links.

hehe, I obviously wound not suggest towing a 34' with a pilot/ mdx, that would be an interesting setup. I always end up with more "stuff" than I intend to carry on my trips so the extra towing capacity is nice to have. As long as the DW is happy we are good!
We haven't had any issues with our MDX and are very, very happy with it. I do believe that the build quality of ford has improved dramatically in recent years; so worth looking at as well.

Globie64 · 06-03-2012, 03:49 PM

Yes, from what I've read, Fords are better now.

mutcth · 06-08-2012, 06:00 PM

Globie, I've towed my Argosy Minuet (about the same weight as your Globetrotter) for over 10,000 miles with a Honda Odyssey. It worked well.

Your trailer is slightly wider than mine, but I was able to get away with the factory mirrors. Adding a set of Milenco clamp-on mirrors did widen the view around the trailer though.

Tom

Airslide · 06-08-2012, 09:48 PM

Peter,

I say go big.... but you know me.

The honda pilot will be good for where you guys live, and the 90% of regular driving you do.

Vinnie

Ahab · 06-09-2012, 08:25 AM

The Ridgeline is not the same as the Pilot. Many of the mechanical elements have been beefed up including the chassis. That being said, I believe Honda tends to be conservative when rating towing capacity. We bought our '06 in April '05 and 95k later it still performs like new.

aftermath · 06-09-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Globie64

...Ridgeline (essentially the same chassis, ladder frame under a unibody) ...

What? I didn't know that such a beast existed. I thought these two "frames" were completely separate entities. My only reservation would be towing with a front wheel drive vehicle as someone has mentioned.

mcipriano · 06-09-2012, 11:18 AM

We have the new 2012 pilot pulling a 2008 safari sport 22". We replaced a 2009 pilot. The old pilot had a more rigid ride and controlled feel to it. The new pilot is a softer ride and seems to not track quite as well. Having said that, we love the pilot and of course the AS. Put 10,000 miles on the old pilot with the trailer including Denver and blue ridge mtns. No issues but could use a bit more power. We did have three kids and lots of stuff with us.

Have not done a long trip yet with the new pilot. It does get better mileage than the old one. Old pilot with kids and trailer got 14to 15 mpg on long trips. We do not have special mirrors but safari is thin.

smeltersmoke · 06-09-2012, 12:30 PM

We purchased our 2008 Safari SE 20' in Eugene, OR July 08 on a whim and the only vehicle we had with us was a 2005 Pilot. It was hitched up with an E-quil-izer at the dealer and we took off for a trip across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming South dakota, Colorado, New Mexico and back to Tucson (+4000 miles) with nary a problem. I still had a nagging concern that we were pushing the Pilot's limits so I traded it in on a 2008 Toyota Sequoia. We have since put 40,000 miles under our Airstream/Sequoia and the only problem has been with the Goodyear Marathons that came with the trailer, but that's another story. Good Luck!

mutcth · 06-09-2012, 01:34 PM

Keep in mind that all Ridgelines, and many Pilots, are all-wheel-drive. Issues of power delivery when towing will quickly be remedied as torque gets distributed to all four wheels.

Honda's towing ratings, like most manufacturers, are based on the capability to provide sufficient power train cooling when towing up Davis Dam in Death Valley in 100+ degrees at highway speeds with the AC full on without throwing any codes or overheating. Often box trailers are used with worse aerodynamics/more drag than our Airstreams. (That's the reason for the MDX different rating for a more-aerodynamic boat.)

In other words, for the vast majority of users who don't tow in that situation, towing up to the rating isn't pushing things.

Tom

Globie64 · 06-10-2012, 10:47 PM

Thanks for all the information, it is great to get your feedback. I think we'll be okay with the AWD Pilot. Yeah, the Ridgeline is very stiff and is great at hauling, and better to drive loaded than our Tundra. I'll be happy if the Pilot can get 14-15 towing, the Tundra gets about 11 towing our little Globetrotter.

rojudo · 07-05-2012, 02:14 PM

Have the same AS in my sights to buy. Would like to tow with 2011 4WD Pilot. The owner's manual says combined weight limit is about 9600 lbs. Pilot is 6100 and AS is 4500, so that makes me nervous. Any problems with your engine or drive train?

Globie64 · 07-06-2012, 10:45 PM

I've read that you want a 10 percent buffer between the max tow rate and your trailer weight- 4500 would be 4050 max trailer weight. I took delivery of my 2012 Pilot today, I'm so stoked. We'll be towing 3200 pounds max with it.

Globie64 · 08-18-2012, 01:42 PM

First tow with the Pilot, very hilly roads from trailer storage to my home, and the Pilot had more ummmph than the Tundra (V6). One very notable benefit is how much more maneuverable the Pilot + AS is than the Tundra. Nest step, highway.