Reasonable Towing Decision with Honda Pilot?

[cweinman]

I have a 2005 Honda Pilot. It has a towing capacity of 4500 for my model. I have the hitch and wiring and will get the tow package installed.

I have a 1970 Overlander. 4515 Trailer Weight with 450 lb tongue weight. No trailer brakes.

I need to tow it once to its home about 4 hrs away. Plan on driving 55mph during daylight and in good conditions with moderate traffic. Mostly flat driving the entire way.

If the trailer is mostly empty, and some appliances have been taken out (slowly rehabbing it)...

Would it be wise to carefully tow this trailer and get it parked?

Once again, this is not a trailer I plan to be towing frequently.

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by cweinman

I have a 2005 Honda Pilot. It has a towing capacity of 4500 for my model. I have the hitch and wiring and will get the tow package installed.

I have a 1970 Overlander. 4515 Trailer Weight with 450 lb tongue weight. No trailer brakes.

I need to tow it once to its home about 4 hrs away. Plan on driving 55mph during daylight and in good conditions with moderate traffic. Mostly flat driving the entire way.

If the trailer is mostly empty, and some appliances have been taken out (slowly rehabbing it)...

Would it be wise to carefully tow this trailer and get it parked?

Once again, this is not a trailer I plan to be towing frequently.

I would not use that combination with brakes on the trailer and definitely not without brakes on the trailer.

But, then that is me.

Bill

[purman]

Welcome....

IF, you consider doing this.... You will definitely need trailer brakes.... If you don't it could be a scary stopping situation... As you are maxing everything out or beyond...

Also get an equalizing hitch and sway control on it.... This could mean the difference between getting home and being in the ditch.

And I would keep it at 50 mph or less...

[Wingeezer]

My guess is that "chances are" you would most likely get away with it - but I would check into the legality. You could be leaving yourself pretty wide open. I don't think I would take the chance in that respect - especially with my luck or lack of it! No doubt there are many folk who would!

Brian

[FordTruck]

You might want to think about renting a Pickup truck for a day. A 1500/F150 would do but you might want to go for a 2500/F250 for the added braking power since the trailer doesn't have brakes.

[Airslide]

Hmmm.

Over 2 tons of trailer with extreme tongue weight for that Honda. Since your at max rating a head wind could hand you a bad day.. and without brakes? forget it.
I would spend a few minutes thinking about another option.. a friends truck?

Vinnie

[Kevin245]

I would state for the official record not to do this. But realistically if I were in your shoes...I probably would proceed if it truly was a one-time scenario.

The consideration in this case is that unless you already have a brake controller, an appropriately rated hitch, and a WD setup, you're likely to shell out $700 to $1,000 just to outfit underrated TV for a one-off trip. Having these items is a necessity under the circumstances you're describing.


Find a friend that has a TV and owes you a favor, by him a case of beer and a steak dinner to help you out.

Best of luck, and by all means welcome to the forum and AS ownership.

Kevin

[cweinman]

I am now looking into UShip.com and seeing what someone wants. Also looking for a friend who likes cheap beer (i.e. natural light).

Thanks everyone.

[wahoonc]

I wouldn't do it and AFAIK in most states any trailer that weighs over 2500# is required to have some form of brakes. I tow many different types and weights of trailers with a heavy F350. No brakes and I don't move the trailer. It isn't my driving that I am worried about, it is the clown that cuts me off to head for an exit ramp in the last 250' or swerves into my lane at the last second causing me to have to stop in hurry.

Aaron