2012 HONDA PILOT trailer

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)
Main MenuTable of Contents

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

There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle

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

´
Your vehicle is equipped with a
connector to install an optional trailer
lighting connector that mates with
your vehicle. You can get this
optional connector f rom your dealer.
Ref er to the above illustration f or
wiring inf ormation.
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Check trailer light requirements f or
the areas where you plan to tow, and
use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.
When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. When replacing the
compact spare with a f ull size spare,
remove the plastic spacer (see page
). Store the plastic spacer and
compact spare together. Reinstall
thespacerbeforeonceagainstowing
the compact spare.
See page f or proper tire size,
page f or how to store a f ull size
wheel and tire, and page for
inf ormation on changing a f lat tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer

Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer
hitch as standard equipment.
We recommend that you have your
dealer install a Honda wiring harness
and converter. This harness has
been designed f or your vehicle.
If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle f rom your dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary with
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicleandthetrailer.
The jumper harness and trailer
brakefusearestoredintheglove
box.
Also see page f or trailer-related
inf ormation.Remove the cover by turning the
knobs about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
544
CONT INUED
Towing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Driving
547
TRAILER HITCH 7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
KNOB
Main MenuTable of Contents

´
The 7-pin trailer connector is needed
f or the trailer lights. To connect the
connector:Make sure the connector and the
socketarefreeof dirt,moisture,
or other f oreign material.
Open the socket lid by pulling it up. Ref er to the above illustrations f or
wiring inf ormation.
Insert the connector securely into
the socket.
Hook the retaining tab on the
inner side of the lid against the
retaining tab of the connector to
prevent disconnection during
operation.
3.
1. 2.
On Touring models On Touring models
T railer Connect or Socket s
Connect ing t he T railer Connect ors
Towing a Trailer
548
7-PIN TRAILER SOCKET
SMALL
LIGHT
(GREEN)
LEFT
TURN/
STOP
(RED)
BACK LIGHT
(YELLOW) B
CHARGE
(BLUE)
RIGHT
TURN/
STOP
(WHITE)
ELECTRIC
BRAKE
(BROWN/
WHITE)
GROUND
(BLACK)
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR RETAINING TAB
LID
SOCKET RETAINING TAB
7-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR
Main MenuTable of Contents