2010 Honda Pilot

LI32 · 11-09-2009, 04:18 PM

Here's the issue - we have a 2010 Honda Pilot, which is rated to tow 4,500 lbs, and my boat with trailer is 5,200 lbs, our daughter has the V-8 Grand Cherokee up at school that I usually use to haul and lauch the boat - does anyone see any issue with using the Honda to haul the boat up the ramp and run the 3 miles at 30 mph (all flat terrain) from the ramp to home? or do I need to wait until winter break.

KarlP · 11-09-2009, 04:29 PM

The limitation on the Pilot is a max tongue weight of 450lbs. You're fine on all the other capacity numbers.

If you aren't much over the tongue weight, the roads aren't too rough, and you have good trailer brakes, you are fine. Over 600lb tongue weight, rough roads or no trailer brakes and I'd rather wait than risk ripping the hitch off the rear end.

Cousin Eddie · 11-09-2009, 04:58 PM

I'd imagine that you could do it. But if it's only 3 miles, wouldn't it be better to play it safe and have a buddy with a full size truck stop by the house?

scrumbag · 11-10-2009, 03:22 PM

I towed my 24' grady white with my 2010 pilot. I am not sure what it weighs but it had full fuel (96 gal) and all the other gear on board. The Honda pulled and stopped fine. I only had to go about 5 miles.

Keith ChrisCraft · 11-10-2009, 03:57 PM

I had (gave to my son) an MDX which is effectively the same tranny/engine/drivetrain, etc. as a Pilot. It also was rated for 4500 lbs. I was doing an even shorter run but the ramp was fairly steep and that particular boat/trailer I used the MDX on weighed in at about 3500 lbs. Bottom line, the tranny blew. Fortunately Honda (Acura) gave me a new one eventhough it was beyond warranty (frequent, long time buyer may have helped). I got a V8 Sequoia which is when I gave my son the MDX and it handled another boat I had over 5500 lbs no problem. Was not going to blow a second tranny.

Keep in mind that your boat probably weighs more than you think AND when you factor in gravity on that ramp slope you are probably exceed 6000 lbs on that first pull up the ramp (think of rolling a bowling ball on flat surface versus up an incline). The tranny would have cost me over 5K so think it's a bit of a dice roll in my opinion.

v70cat · 11-18-2009, 05:10 AM

So what did you do, is the boat still in the water?