Towing Set Up and Towing Capacity for a 2005 Honda Pilot

Question

Question:

I have a Honda Pilot with a tow limit of 3500Lbs. I am looking at the Curt 13328 hitch which has a hitch rating of 350Lbs. Most small campers 3000lbs and below are showing a dry hitch weight of 350 to 450lb. I thought the hitch weight was about 10 of the camper weight plus whatever is loaded in it. Example... A KZ Sportsmen Classic 170 MD has a UVW of 2870Lbs - CCC of 630Lbs for a GVWR of 3500Lbs yet they list the dry hitch weightinch That should mean unloaded of 420Lbs. I guess Im just not understanding or missing something! First... Is that really the dry hitch weight? Second. will adding a Blue Ox 2 change my Hondas hitch weight capability? I dont mind buying and installing what I need but is it even possible to tow this with my Honda?

asked by: Tim H

0

Expert Reply:

I would be happy to help you clear up the confusion and make all recommendations you will need to safely tow a trailer with your 2005 Honda Pilot. I looked online at your Pilot's owner's manual. It says that if your vehicle is equipped with a transmission cooler and power steering fluid cooler it has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs for a standard trailer. Your tongue weight will be 10% of your towing capacity so 350 lbs. I do recommend verifying this information in your copy of the owner's manual, as its possible that you have a slightly different model or your tongue weight could be higher.

Tongue weight is the force pushing down on the rear of your Pilot. I believe this is what your are calling hitch weight. It is typically 10% of the gross weight of the trailer but this can increase significantly depending on how your trailer is loaded.

This limit as stated in the vehicle's owner's manual is what you will need to go by, regardless of any aftermarket products that are added. Any aftermarket towing components will not increase the vehicle's towing capacity. You are limited by whichever component has the lowest towing capacity. In this case it is your Honda Pilot.

The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver item # 13328 has an identical towing capacity as your Pilot. 3,500 lbs towing capacity and 350 lbs maximum tongue weight. Unless you are experiencing trailer sway adding a weight distribution system to your set up will not change these capacities or what your Pilot is capable of handling.

You are also going to need a 7-way connector and a brake controller to control your trailer's lights and brakes. There are no custom fit 7-way's for your Pilot so you will need two separate wiring harnesses. The first is the Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector item # 118336. This one plugs directly into your OEM port to give you a 4-flat connector. You will then need the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires item # ETBC7. The kit includes a pre-wired 7- and 4-way trailer connector that mounts easily at the rear of your vehicle with an included bracket. This kit is designed for use on a vehicle with an existing 4-way flat trailer connector and plugs directly into it. You will then connect the blue wire to the blue wire on the brake controller, connect the black wire to the positive post on the vehicle's battery, the white wire to ground, and the yellow wire to vehicle's reverse circuit if applicable. This will provide you with the ability to control your trailer's brakes and also provide you with a 12v power wire for you trailer's accessories.

For your brake controller I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller item # 90195. The brake controller activates your trailer brakes in proportion to your Pilot's braking action. It automatically adjusts the trailer's braking based on deceleration of your vehicle. The brakes activate immediately, there is no pausing like with time-delayed brake controllers. I have linked an installation video and a picture of this brake controller installed.

To round out your towing setup I recommend the Curt Towing Starter Kit for 2" Hitches item # C45534. This towing kit will provide you with a 2" ball and a fixed ball mount with a 3/4" rise and 2" drop. It also includes a hitch pin and clip, hitch receiver lock with keys, hitch cover, and a storage case.