Hi all! We are new to the RV world and are skipping the pop-up stage, planning to go straight for a hybrid TT. We have three boys and we think we'll grow into the HTT easier, and we like the extra space.
That said, it is a larger unit, and we will be towing with a 2013 Honda Pilot 4WD. We are rated at 4500lbs. We are looking at smaller units, 16/17/18/19 feet, with NO slide outs. Many are in the 3500-4000 lbs range with room for cargo.
Are thinking too big for a truck that tows up to 4500lbs? Does anyone here tow with a Pilot? Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Jason
your Pilot will be limited to only the smallest of hybrids.
the problem with these is the fact that nearly all of the 3500lbs. GVWR hybrids, have VERY low cargo capacities.
some after adding all the necessary things, will only have 200lbs. left over for cargo.
and that means that you have to tow at the Pilot's max all the time.
second, Honda for some unknown reason, is anti-WDH, which you'll have to have to tow a hybrid travel trailer.
for Honda to be the ONLY company that recommends NOT using a WDH with their vehicles(even the Ridgeline), says that they don't think their vehicles are capable of REAL towing.
and from what i've read on the Pilot, the 4500 rating is actually rated for towing boats.
and you have to have the complete factory tow package to tow that amount.
a 19' hybrid will be way too big for a Pilot.
a good friend had a 19' hybrid and tried towing it with his Pilot thru the Sierras. he said that the Pilot would'nt of lasted more than a couple of trips, due to the stress on the drivetrain.
all it took was one trip and he never did it again. luckily, he had a Chevy truck to take the Pilot's place.
towing a full height trailer, like a hybrid, is a whole different thing than towing a low profile trailer, like a popup.
it takes torque, which a vehicle like a Pilot is lacking in.
if you must get one, stay with a 17' one with a GVWR of 3500lbs. you'll need a WDH with sway control and a brake controller.
^^^^ X2
I towed a 19' HTT with a 2000 Silverado and in the mountains and hills of South-west/South-central PA it struggled at times. This truck had a 4:10 rear end gear and a 5.3 V8. I eventually traded to a 3/4 ton pickup. I do not think you will like how the Pilot tows one.
I was not aware Honda does not recommend a WDH? I could not imagine not using a WDH with even a 1/2 ton truck. Must be because of the unibody?
You have already gotten some good answers regarding towing with the Pilot.
Welcome to the CanvasCampers World!! Where are you from? Hope you and your family enjoy the HTT.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
Yes Lone Lock, we have gotten some excellent info from this posting. Thanks to all, especially 'bikendan' for your input. I love forums and the opportunity to share community knowledge!
So, we have dramatically reduced our expectations for the Honda and are reconsidering pop-up trailers, which, isn't a bad thing. There are lots of really nice pop-ups out there. We haven't ruled out a 15-17 foot HTT, one that we can safely tow. The new question is whether a trailer that size will meet our needs for the next few years. Also, some of the nicer pop-ups are just as expensive, if not more expensive than HTT's!
We do have neighbors who have offered to let us tow their trailers and pop-ups to get a feel for the experience.
The search continues.....
Hi jthewood - welcome to Canvas Campers.
My husband and I towed a Jayco 17Z hybrid with our 2009 Honda Pilot and did not have any issues. We used a weight distribution hitch and sway bar in our setup. The only challenge is that we had to be really careful of how much weight we packed into the camper. With the AC on the unit, the unloaded weight of the camper only left about 350lbs until it topped out the GVWR of 3500 lbs. I'm not sure if that would be enough cargo capability for a family of 5.
When we were looking, we would have preferred the Jayco 19H, but the numbers just didn't work with the tow rating of the Pilot and the weight of the camper. There are plenty of really great threads on the forum about how to figure out the tow capability, and how much your vehicle can handle - which should help you to make a final decision as to what will safely work for your family.
Best of luck in your research, and once again - welcome to CC
[quote author=mtn_bikers link=topic=2933.msg28594#msg28594 date=1397562117]
Hi jthewood - welcome to Canvas Campers.
My husband and I towed a Jayco 17Z hybrid with our 2009 Honda Pilot
With the AC on the unit, the unloaded weight of the camper only left about 350lbs until it topped out the GVWR of 3500 lbs. I'm not sure if that would be enough cargo capability for a family of 5.
this is what i was talking about as the biggest flaw with these hybrids that have the 3500lbs. GVWR.
[quote author=Storm Trooper link=topic=2933.msg28597#msg28597 date=1397574167]
My main question would be, will Honda warranty the vehicle if you use a wdh against their recommendation? If they say yes, I'd want that in writing.
Any HTT would marginalize the safety of my family too much with that TV.
Hey Lou - moot point for us now, we traded in the Pilot 3 weeks ago (got full KBB & Edmunds value for the trade). New tow vehicle - - - Ram 1500 Quad Cab with the 3.6L Pentastar V6. We towed with it last weekend and got better gas mileage than the Pilot towing the popup over the same roads, and we were able to go 65 MPH ;). After over 12 years without a pickup, it sure is nice to have one again.
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