2012 HONDA PILOT tow

The maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
depends on the number of occupants
in your vehicle and the type of trailer
being towed (see page ).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle

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The weight that the tongue of a f ully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
shouldbe5to10percentof thetotal
trailer weight f or boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
f or all other trailers. (See page f or limits f or your towing
situation). Too much tongue load
reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is:
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed:
on the f ront axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
2:LXmodels
1 : Except LX models on the rear axle
540
4WD models: 2WD models: 4WD models:
2WD models:
2
1
Towing a Trailer
Tongue Load
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR): Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Driving
537
5,952 lbs (2,700 kg)
6,096 lbs (2,765 kg)
2,921 lbs (1,325 kg)
3,362 lbs (1,525 kg)
3,251 lbs (1,475 kg)
2,921 lbs (1,325 kg)
3,196 lbs (1,450 kg)
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Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described next.Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions.
The maximum allowable weight of
the f ully loaded vehicle and trailer
with the proper hitch is:
The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent f or every 1,000 f eet (305
meters) of elevation. 540
4WD models:
2WD models:
Estimating Loads
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR):To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
Towing a Trailer
538
9,579 lbs (4,345 kg)
8,466 lbs (3,840 kg)
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ÎÎ ÎÎ
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Î ÎÎ
Number of
Occupants 2 3 4 5678
Number of
Occupants 2
From 3 to 8 T owing is Not Recommended
T owing is Not Recommended
Maximum T otal T railer Weight Maximum T ongue Load
Maximum T otal T railer Weight Maximum T ongue Load
2WD models
2WD models with optional ATF Cooler installed
Towing a Trailer
540
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits:
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, eac h occupant weighs 150 lbs (68
kg), and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the maximum
trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page ).
Recommended tongue load should be 5 10% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8 15% of the total trailer weight for all other
trailers. 537
2,000 lbs (905 kg)
200 lbs (90 kg)
3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
3,300 lbs (1,497 kg)
3,100 lbs (1,406 kg)
3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
2,800 lbs (1,270 kg)
2,000 lbs (905 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
300 lbs (136 kg)
230 lbs (104 kg)
200 lbs (90 kg)
150 lbs (68 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)
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µµ
Î ÎÎ
ÎÎ
Î Maximum T ongue Load
Number of
Occupants 2 3456 7 8 T owing is Not Recommended
Maximum T otal T railer Weight4WD models
Towing a Trailer
Driving
541
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, eac
h occupant weighs 150 lbs (68
kg), and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the maximum
trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page ).
Recommended tongue load should be 5 10% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8 15% of the total trailer weight for all other
trailers. 537
450 lbs (204 kg)
400 lbs (181 kg)
330 lbs (150 kg)
270 lbs (122 kg)
190 lbs (86 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)
4,500 lbs (2,041 kg)
4,300 lbs (1,950 kg)
4,100 lbs (1,860 kg)
4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
3,800 lbs (1,724 kg)
2,000 lbs (905 kg)
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To accurately check your loads at
the public scale, the vehicle and
trailer should be f ully loaded, and all
occupants should stay in the vehicle
while the attendant watches the
scale.Check the f ront gross axle weight.
Limit: 2,921 lbs (1,325 kg) Check the gross vehicle weight.
Limit (4WD models): 6,096 lbs
(2,765 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 5,952 lbs
(2,700 kg)If you cannot weigh the rear axle
directly, you can calculate the rear
gross axle weight by subtracting
the weight in step 1 from the
weight in step 2.
Limit (4WD models): 3,175 lbs
(1,440 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 3,031 lbs
(1,375 kg)
Check the rear gross axle weight.
Limit (4WD models except LX):
3,362 lbs (1,525 kg)
Limit (4WD LX models): 3,252 lbs
(1,475 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 3,196 lbs
(1,450 kg)
1. 2. 3. 4.
Checking L oads
Towing a Trailer
542
Main MenuTable of Contents

Calculate the tongue load.
Subtract the weight in step 6 f rom
the weight in step 7.
Limit: See page .
Recommended: see page .
Range: 5-10% f or boat trailers8-15% f or other trailers
Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page .
Check the weight of the hitched
trailer. Write this number down.
Check the gross combined weight.
Limit (4WD models): 9,579 lbs
(4,345 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 8,466 lbs
(3,840 kg)
Remember, maximum gross
combined weight should be
decreased 2% f or every 1,000 f eet
(305 meters) of elevation. 7. 8.
6.
5.
540
540 536
Towing a Trailer
Driving
543
Main MenuTable of Contents

Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
dealer or rental agency can tell you
what kind of sway control you need
and how to install it.
Use this illustration to identif y each
terminal in the trailer brake
controller connector.
A f actory installed, 4-pin gray
connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the
parking brake pedal. This connector
has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake
controllers. A jumper harness to
adapt your electric trailer brake
controller to the vehicle is included
with the optional Genuine Honda
trailer hitch kit. To obtain a trailer
hitch kit, see your dealer.
Have a qualif ied mechanic install
your trailer brake controller
f ollowing the trailer brake controller
manuf acturer