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Old 04-17-2015, 11:28 AM   #1
kikeehn
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Default Tow Vehicle Compatability

Bill and others
The TV I'm planning on getting is a 2015 Honda Pilot 4WD, 3.6 L with factory Tow Package. I'll also be using a WDH.
The tow rating of the Pilot is 4500lbs
I plan on towing a NEW 2720 QS once I order it that is.
So my question is, will I be ok with that combination of TV and TM?
Some further information,
1. Variable torque Management 4WD System
2. Heavy Duty Radiator w/ 2-160 Watt Fans
3. Heavy Duty Power Steering Cooler
4. Heavy Duty Automatic transmission Cooler
5. 18 in Alloy Wheels
6. Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control
Finally I don't plan on doing any Boon-docking or Dry camping, only staying at CG's with Full Hookups since DW is handicapped and her condition is not conducive to Non CG Accomidations. Water Tank will only be half full to help lower the gross overall weight.
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Old 04-17-2015, 11:46 AM   #2
rvcycleguy
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Probably tow fine but in my opinion a 5k lb tow rating is the minimum for me. More margin for error, better safe than sorry, and allows you to go places you may not consider just yet. At flat terrain, your good, but when it gets hilly, the TV engine heats up, transmission heats up and the TV is straining. Can be dangerous on uphill when you have to take the truck lane and slow to less than minimum speeds and impede traffic. With camping gear, add-ons, people in the TV with more gear, the combined gross weight (TV+payload+TM+ gear) is near max. The TV dry, weighs 4500lb, the TM weighs under 4000 loaded plus any payload in the Honda including passengers! and then gear in the TM. Could be 9000 lbs.
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Old 04-17-2015, 12:01 PM   #3
tentcamper
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It not the same, but about the same configuration/class of SUV. We tow our 2720 with a toyota highlander 5k capacity 280 HP. Tow's very good, handles well, no issues keeping the speed up on any interstate grade.

We use a 600 lb WDH to adjust for a little rear end sag and to take down about a 1/2 inch off front end rise.
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Old 04-17-2015, 12:04 PM   #4
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We had the two wheel drive Izuzu version of the pilot. It would barely tow a 17 foot bay fisher here in FL. The bay fisher is less weight then the 2720SL we have. We're more comfortable with a 6k# tow rating and small v8. That said plenty of members tow with the smaller SUV's and pick ups.
That said if Honda is still using the truck tranny that came with the older Rodeo/Pilots you couldn't kill it. Ours came with a real frame and 4:10 axle.
It wasn't real happy towing either the boat or the Coleman pup we had. The pop up was 1400# lighter then our TM.
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Old 04-17-2015, 12:55 PM   #5
Padgett
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Tow is probably marginal/OK but what is the max tongue weight (usually 10% of max tow). My 2720SL without WDH is 460 lbs tongue weight.

Also I love my Jeep, is the best tow car I've ever had but the new ones have an 8 speed (mine is 5) and they increased the tow rating to 6500 lbs.

Depending on how the DW is limited I might also mention that the Grand Cherokee with Quadra-Lift is capable of kneeling.
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Old 04-17-2015, 01:31 PM   #6
kikeehn
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Scrubjaysnest,
The 2WD Pilots tow rating is 2000 lbs and the 4WD is 4500, so if the Specs for the 2WD Isuzu are similar to the Pilot I could see the problem you had.
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Old 04-17-2015, 01:59 PM   #7
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I think you'll be fine.
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Old 04-17-2015, 02:03 PM   #8
mecicon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest View Post
We had the two wheel drive Izuzu version of the pilot. It would barely tow a 17 foot bay fisher here in FL. The bay fisher is less weight then the 2720SL we have. We're more comfortable with a 6k# tow rating and small v8. That said plenty of members tow with the smaller SUV's and pick ups.
That said if Honda is still using the truck tranny that came with the older Rodeo/Pilots you couldn't kill it. Ours came with a real frame and 4:10 axle.
It wasn't real happy towing either the boat or the Coleman pup we had. The pop up was 1400# lighter then our TM.
I think you may have the info crossed with the Honda Passport which was the same as the Isuzu Rodeo and not the Honda Pilot.

The Pilot and Rodeo/Passport were not produced at the same time either.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Passport

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Pilot
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Old 04-17-2015, 02:06 PM   #9
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A few pics of our configuration. I would definitely use WDH.
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Old 04-17-2015, 02:55 PM   #10
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Kikeehn -

You live in a wonderful region called The Valley of the Sun. When you get your rig put together and ready to go, it is certain that you will want to leave The Valley of the Sun, and explore some more. At risk of oversimplifying, there are four ways out of the Valley.

You can take I-10 west toward Los Angeles, or east toward Tucson and then New Mexico. Both pretty flat terrain, not much challenge for any tow vehicle.

Or you can take I-17 north to Flagstaff. Or Rte 87 northeast to Payson and then Rte 260 up over the Mogollon Rim. These last two trips are challenging for any rig, with long stretches of 6% grade. If you have not driven either of these routes, why not take a Saturday or Sunday and drive up one of them, just with your current vehicle, no trailer. As you ascend out of the Verde Valley toward Flagstaff, or out of Payson and up over the Rim, think about what it will be like when you are towing a trailer that weighs almost as much as your car, on a day when temps are over 100 degrees, up 10 miles of relentless 6% grade. And then down those same steep miles when you go in the other direction. Kind of sanity check, out of the world of the hypothetical and into reality.

You've made a wise decison to go with the factory tow package. Beyond that, the good news is that the Pilot's tow rating is probably determined in accordance with SAE standard J-2807, although Honda doesn't seem to confirm this. If so, the 4500-pound rating represents real world experience. J-2807 testing is done on a 10 mile stretch of endless 6% grade out of Davis Dam in California. Very similar terrain, so that should give you some confidence. Why not ask the Honda salesman about J-2807?

The bad news is that according to Honda, you have to buy premium gas while you are towing.

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