Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2005 Honda Pilot All Wheel Drive

Question:

Can I flat tow a 2005 Honda Pilot all wheel drive and is there a tow kit for it. Cost too?

asked by: R B

Expert Reply:

I did some checking and it looks like your 2005 Honda Pilot AWD can be flat towed but there are some speed/distance restrictions that you will want to consult the owners manual to get further clarification on. It will be in the Recreational Towing section. From what I found it is not recommended to exceed 65 mph.

First let's start with a Demco base plate kit like part # DM9517143 which has been confirmed as a fit for your vehicle.

In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle. The most popular compatible tow bar is the Commander # DM9511012 which comes with safety cables.

For lighting you can use the diode kit, # RM-15267, and not have to worry about cutting into the taillight housing. This will splice into your taillight wiring to allow your tow vehicle to control the taillight assemblies of the towed vehicle. This comes with a round 6-way connector that you will install on the front of your towed vehicle and enough coiled wire to go from there to the RV.

And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest systems to set up and use are portable systems like the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR. It applies the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

Most likely you will also need a high low adapter so that the tow bar will be level when you are flat towing. I attached a link to a page that has all of the ones we carry.

I have included a couple of helpful links to our articles on flat towing for you. Be sure to consult the vehicle owners manual for more specific information on flat towing your vehicle.