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Honda Pilot as a toad

December 14, 2011, 11:42:22 am

I was wondering if anyone has ever toad a Honda Pilot. I know Blue Ox makes a base plate for it. Honda says it is not to be towed. Someone must be towing because Blue Ox has sold base plates. I would be interested in their experience and tranny set up.
Thanks.

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Re: Honda Pilot as a toad

Reply #1 – December 14, 2011, 11:59:48 am

I flat tow an '06 Pilot and have since I bought the car new five years ago. I have approximately 40K tow miles on it - no problems. The car doesn't register tow miles on the odometer. Actual odometer drive miles is around 95K. No issues. It's a very good toad, tracks straight, pulls easily, no wacky tire wear.

David Brady
'02 Blue Bird Wanderlodge LXi
NC

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Re: Honda Pilot as a toad

Reply #2 – December 14, 2011, 03:21:02 pm

You can go here: Dinghy Towing, Flat Towable Vehicles, Dinghy Towing Guides - MotorHome and download their Dinghy towing guide for free.  You need to download the guide for the year of your vehicle.  I did not see the Pilot listed under the 2011 towing guide, however, I tow a Hyundai Sonata and it wasn't listed as an "approved" tow car in the towing guide either.  So I bought a lube oil pump from Application Charts | Remco Towing ( had it installed) and have towed the old Hyundai for 25,000 miles without any problems over the years.  I DID see a pump for the Pilot at Home | Remco Towing

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Re: Honda Pilot as a toad

Reply #3 – December 14, 2011, 06:21:49 pm

Remco also lists the Pilot as towable as is for all years made.  I believe this is true.  The Pilot still uses the same 4WD system as the older Acura MDX that was listed as towable by Acura (and Motorhome Magazine)through 2005 and listed as towable by Remco through 2006. As near as I can tell, Honda made no changes between 2005 and 2006 other than omitting the part about being towable.  I believe these models (2006 MDX and all 2006 and later Pilots) were listed as non-towable to reduce warranty claims from owners who could not follow directions.

I've done a fair amount of research, and plan to get either an 2005-2006 MDX or possibly 2007+ Pilot as a towed vehicle.  It appears the transmissions are a bit weak and prone to trouble if you don't faithfully follow service intervals, including changing the transmission fluid as prescribed and using only the correct (Honda branded) ATF. 

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Re: Honda Pilot as a toad

Reply #4 – December 14, 2011, 08:25:38 pm

Trans concerns - reason I ultimately decided to go with a Tahoe, although its significantly heavier. I did have the transfer case flushed at 50K - It was nasty according to the tech. Only issues with the truck have been a bad master cylinder - and a cracked dash (common issue owners are screaming murder over)

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