2013 HONDA PILOT Owners Manual

328
uuBefore DrivinguMaximum Load Limit
Driving
(5)Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6)If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
accessories, cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Load Limits Example
Example1
Max Load 1,340 lbs (608 kg)
Passenger Weight 150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg)
Cargo Weight 1,040 lbs (472 kg)
Example2
Max Load 1,340 lbs (608 kg)
Passenger Weight 150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg)
Cargo Weight 590 lbs (268 kg)

329Continued
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelines. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
weight of the trailer, cargo, and everything in
or on it shown in the table.
Towing loads in excess of this can seriously
affect vehicle handling and performance and
can damage the engine and drivetrain.
Each weight limit is calculated based on the following conditions:
•Occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back
•Each occupant weights 150 lbs (68 kg)
•Each occupant has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area
Any additional weight, cargo or accessories reduce the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load.
■Towing Load Limits1Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and then
measure the tongue load with an appropriate scale or
tongue gauge or estimate it based on cargo distribution.
Refer to the trailer owner's manual for additional information.
Break-in Period Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle's first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information
2Vehicle Specifications P. 464
3WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
Number of
occupants4WD models2WD models with
ATF cooler
2WD models
without ATF cooler
24,500 lbs (2,041 kg)3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)2,000 lbs (905 kg)
34,300 lbs (1,950 kg)3,300 lbs (1,497 kg)
Towing not
recommended
44,100 lbs (1,860 kg)3,100 lbs (1,406 kg)
54,000 lbs (1,814 kg)3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
63,800 lbs (1,724 kg)2,800 lbs (1,270 kg)
72,000 lbs (905 kg)2,000 lbs (905 kg)
8Towing not
recommended
Towing not
recommended

330
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately:
Boat trailers: 5 - 10% of the total trailer
weight
Other trailers: 8 - 15% of total trailer weight
To ngue LoadTongue Load
Number of
occupants4WD models2WD models with
ATF cooler
2WD models
without ATF cooler
2450 lbs (204 kg)350 lbs (159 kg)200 lbs (90 kg)
3400 lbs (181 kg)300 lbs (136 kg)
Towing not
recommended
4330 lbs (150 kg)230 lbs (104 kg)
5270 lbs (122 kg)200 lbs (90 kg)
6190 lbs (86 kg)150 lbs (68 kg)
7100 lbs (45 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
8Towing not
recommended
Towing not
recommended

331
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Continued
Driving
■To estimate the tongue load
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
You can estimate the tongue load by measuring the trailer hitch height from the
ground in the following steps:
1.Park the vehicle on level ground.
2.Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch.
3.Connect the fully loaded trailer to the hitch.
4.Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch
again.
5.Subtract the second measurement from the first measurement, then refer to the
following table.
If the difference becomes more than indicated in the table, distribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
If the difference is4WD models2WD models
5/8”150 lbs (68 kg)
1 1/4”250 lbs (114 kg)
1 3/4”350 lbs (159 kg)
2 1/4”450 lbs (205 kg)-

uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
332
Driving
■How to weigh the trailer loads using the public scale
Check each weight in the order indicated as shown.
Refer to the table on the right for each weight’s limit except for the tongue load.
2Tongue load P. 330
•If you cannot weigh the rear axle, subtract 1 from 2.
•The maximum gross combined weight (4) decreases by 2% for every 1,000 feet
(305 meters) of elevation.
•To calculate the tongue load, subtract 5 from 6.
•Refer to the trailer owner's manual for additional information.
1How to weigh the trailer loads using the public scale
Fully load the vehicle and trailer. An attendant who watches the scale is needed as all occupants should
stay in the vehicle.
*: LX models
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and then measure the tongue load with an appropriate scale or
tongue gauge or estimate it based on cargo
distribution.
Weight limit for 2WD models 4WD models
Front gross axle2,921 lbs (1,325 kg)
Gross vehicle5,952 lbs
(2,700 kg)
6,096 lbs
(2,765 kg)
Rear gross axle3,196 lbs
(1,450 kg)
3,362 lbs
(1,525 kg)
3,252 lbs (1,475 kg)*
Gross combined8,466 lbs
(3,840kg)
9,579 lbs
(4,345kg)
1. Front gross axle weight.
2. Gross vehicle weight.
4. Gross combined weight.
3. Rear gross axle weight.
5. Hitched trailer weight.
6. Unhitched trailer weight.

Continued333
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer hitch as standard equipment.
The jumper harness and trailer brake fuse are stored in the glove box.
2Trailer brakes P. 334
2Trailer light P. 335
Turn the knob one-quarter left to open the
cover.
uThe 7-Pin trailer connector and trailer
hitch are located.
■Towing Equipment and Accessories1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Consult your trailer sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing situation.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qualified technician.
Trailer packages and products:
•Ball mount, hitch plug, hitch pin etc.
•Wiring harness kit•Trailer hitch kit (jumper harness included)
2Trailer brakes P. 334
•Automatic transmission cooler kit2Automatic transmission cooler P. 337
Are available at a dealer.
2WD models
Knob
7-Pin Trailer Connector
Trailer Hitch

uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
334
Driving
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer brakes: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure they are electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to attach trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic system, as it will lower
braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.
The 4-pin gray connector installed in your vehicle has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake controllers.
Have a qualified mechanic install your trailer
brake controller following the trailer brake
controller manufacturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake controller
may increase the distance it takes for you to
stop your vehicle when towing a trailer.
The trailer jumper harness is used to install the
controller for the electric trailer brakes.
Insert the trailer brake fuse into the engine
compartment sub fuse box.
2Engine Compartment Sub Fuse Box P. 455
1Trailer brakes
The 4-pin gray connector is located under the instrument panel near the top of the parking brake
pedal.
Electric Brake (Brown/White)
Ground (Black)
Brake (20A) (Purple)
Stop (Sky Blue)
Trailer brake controller connector’s terminals:
Electric Brake (Brown/White)
Ground (Black)
Brake (20A) (Blue)
Brake Lights (Sky Blue)
Touring models

Continued335
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
We recommend that you have a dealer install a Honda wiring harness and converter.
They are designed for your vehicle.
1Trailer light
The trailer lighting connector is located behind the left side panel in the cargo area.
Even if you are planning to use the non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, ask a dealer for the correct connector and pins.Left Turn Signal and Brake Lights (Red)
Back-up Lights (Yellow)
Electric Brake (Brown/White)
Right Turn Signal and Brake Lights (White)
Ground (Black)
Ground (Black)
Taillights (Green)
+B Charge (Blue)
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes: