Weight distribution hitch or not (with Honda Pilot)?

Whynot · 10-29-2012, 04:22 PM

I am picking up my Rockwood 2306 this weekend and can't decide if I need a weight distribution hitch. Guys at a local hitch dealer told me I don't need one. Any thoughts? My tow vehicle is a Honda Pilot with a max weight of 5000 lbs and a tung weight of 500 lbd. Trailer has GVW of around 4700 lbs and tung weight of around 375 lbs.

cyclepuck · 10-29-2012, 04:27 PM

Yes. By time you load trailer you'll be at or above your max tongue weight and it will help eliminate them bounce from the suspension bottoming out. What is the Max tongue weight with wd hitch.

mike54 · 10-29-2012, 05:07 PM

get the WD hitch and sway control you will need it. I was told I didn't need either by the dealer when I bought ä 17' hybrid in '07 because I had a half ton dodge ram p/u first trip I took with it I knew the guy was FOS. I bought the W/D hitch aqnd sway bar before the next trip we took.
Make sure you get the right one for the pilot

GlacierGus · 10-29-2012, 06:10 PM

Yes, get the WDH. It will make your driving a lot easier and a lot safer. Best money you can spend.

**bikendan** · 10-29-2012, 08:25 PM

YES, you should get a WDH and you do know that the Pilot's max tow capacity is only 4500lbs., right?
and that trailer, with a fictional "dry" weight of 3630lbs., will actually weigh close to 4000lbs., when it arrives from the factory.
meaning you'll be towing at or over the Pilot's max when loaded for camping.

what's the Pilot's GCWR?

am i guessing that the RV salesman told you that you'd have no problems towing the 2306?

rockwood06 · 10-29-2012, 09:20 PM

If you check the sticker on the receiver on your tow vehicle it will give you two tow ratings, one with out WDH and one with WDH....With a WDH system your receiver can handle more weight as long as it is installed correctly.

I am sorry to say, I think the salesman has had a brain fart, in the first place telling you that you don't need WDH system

but the real crime is that he is going to sell you something that will but you over your weight limits, If thats not a sign of someone that is money hungry I don't know what Is, or he has no idea what he is doing and this shows me that there is no consideration for your families safety or anyone elses while you are towing along with the rest of us........I am sorry I am not getting on your case It's just that this kind of info comes from someone that is suppose to be trusted and to make sure that we have the right equipment to tow with and that we are towing with the right tow vehicle, to me towing and RV Is no....joke.

I wish you well and be safe.

**bikendan** · 10-30-2012, 12:14 AM

the problem is, that Honda DOESN'T recommend using a WDH with their vehicles, not even their "truck", the Ridgeline.
many speculate it's because of the uni-body construction so that Honda won't have to deal with failures.
many Honda owners ignore this and use a WDH anyway.

that was one of the main reasons we didn't buy a Ridgeline when we were shopping for a tow vehicle.

any company that is against using a WDH to tow with their "truck", is basically saying that they don't think it's a real tow vehicle.

same thing goes for the Pilot.

Honda wants their customers to tow boats and popups, not real full-height trailers. both of those don't require a WDH, since they have very low tongue weights, compared to travel trailers.

Dave Lyon · 10-30-2012, 07:05 AM

am i guessing that the RV salesman told you that you'd have no problems towing the 2306?

[/QUOTE]

It is unfortunate that this is happening all too often out there. Salespeople are motivated by the sale, not your safety.

This reinforces the many comments on this forum - do your homework in advance of purchasing both the trailer and TV. Don't rely on the wisdom of a plaid suit with a combover.

Whynot · 10-30-2012, 01:10 PM

Thanks for all your comments. The towing capacity of the Pilot is different depending on who you ask. Some sites say 5000 lbs and others say 4500 lbs. I won't be towing the trailer with any water or waste so I'm confident that I will be under the limits and it won't be a problem. I did purchase a WDH with sway control so hopefully that will help.

Len & Cheri · 10-30-2012, 01:40 PM

Towing capacity should be listed in your owners manual. That's the number I'd use.

pdchristensen · 10-30-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whynot

Thanks for all your comments. The towing capacity of the Pilot is different depending on who you ask. Some sites say 5000 lbs and others say 4500 lbs. I won't be towing the trailer with any water or waste so I'm confident that I will be under the limits and it won't be a problem. I did purchase a WDH with sway control so hopefully that will help.

I looked closely at the Honda Pilot as a potential tow vehicle prior to opting for a Chevy Traverse. I am pretty sure it is max 4500 lbs from the research i did.

I would go with the mfg. site ratings as per this link.

http://www.honda.ca/Pilot#/Pilot/op2/capability

thebrakeman · 10-31-2012, 03:10 PM

Have you read your Honda owner's manual?
Highly unlikely that you can get that 5,000 lb rating without using a WDH.
Read your manual cover to cover.

HONDAMAN174 · 10-31-2012, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whynot

Thanks for all your comments. The towing capacity of the Pilot is different depending on who you ask. Some sites say 5000 lbs and others say 4500 lbs. I won't be towing the trailer with any water or waste so I'm confident that I will be under the limits and it won't be a problem. I did purchase a WDH with sway control so hopefully that will help.

I am VERY familiar with the Pilot and what it can and can't do. 4500 taxes the engine and the max cargo you can have in the vehicle is 600lbs. Also subtract 200lbs of capacity for every 1000 ft in altitude you ascend.

We actually just traded our pilot last week for a Tundra and it makes pulling my 3500 lb trailer MUCH easier- less white knuckling and holding up traffic on hills.

But do I have to change my screen name now?

flymhi · 10-31-2012, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lyon

Don't rely on the wisdom of a plaid suit with a combover.

fschambe · 11-02-2012, 08:31 AM

The Honda Pilot is one of the most pathetic vehicles to be considered a "SUV". It is powered by, and based on the powertrain from the Honda Accord. Would you tow a trailer with a Honda Accord?

Lynkage · 11-03-2012, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fschambe

Would you tow a trailer with a Honda Accord?

Sure. The salesman said it would be fine!

pg_rider · 11-03-2012, 04:23 PM

Search for some of my past threads on pulling my 2306 with my Ridgeline. Long story short -- get the WDH, keep it under 60mph, and have fun.

wneise · 11-03-2012, 09:18 PM

Couldn't agree more. Also make sure you get the tranny and P/S coolers added. I had an 'Oddity' that required both in order to tow up to 3500. We had a 3000 lb Jay Feather at the time. Had fun for a couple of years till the tranny started to shimmy going up hill. If you can in the near future, consider a new TV.

hockeytownmom · 11-07-2012, 02:40 PM

I had a 2008 Pilot (LOVED IT) worked great for towing my Fleetwood Sea Pine PUP, but the higher GVWR is for towing a boat. We looked at getting a Rockwood Roo 183 with the Pilot and decided we were cutting it too close and it's not recommended to use a WDH. We ended up trading it in for higher towing capacity.

Whynot · 11-08-2012, 02:13 PM

Just wanted to let you all know that the Pilot towed my new Mini lite 2306 very well. Traveled from Portland Maine to Halifax Nova Scotia (590 miles) with out a problem. The gas milage did decrease some but that was expected. Definitly glad I purchased the WDH and sway bar though. Does anyone find the sway bar noisy? When it's on and I'm going slow around corners, the bar makes an awfull noise. On the highway there isn't a noise. I think it's normal but would love to hear from others.

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