2023 HONDA PILOT towing

508
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 guidelin es. 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 weighs 150 lbs (68 kg).
• Each occupant has 17.6 lb (8 kg) cargo in the cargo area.
Any additional weight, cargo or accessori es reduce the maximum trailer weight and
maximum tongue load.
■Towing Load Limits1 Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not av ailable, 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 estima te it based on cargo
distribution.
Refer to the trailer owner’s manual for additional
information.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer duri ng your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information 2 Vehicle Specifications P. 790
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
occupantsAWD models2WD models
25,000 lbs (2,268 kg)3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
34,750 lbs (2,155 kg)3,250 lbs (1,474 kg)
44,500 lbs (2,041 kg)3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
54,250 lbs (1,928 kg)2,750 lbs (1,247 kg)
64,000 lbs (1,814 kg)2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
72,500 lbs (1,134 kg)1,150 lbs (522 kg)
8*Towing not recommended
* Not available on all models
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509
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
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Driving
■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately:
Boat trailers: 5 – 15% of the total trailer
weight
Other trailers: 10 – 15% of total trailer weight
To n gue LoadTongue Load
Number of
occupantsAWD models2WD models
2500 lbs (227 kg)350 lbs (159 kg)
3475 lbs (215 kg)325 lbs (147 kg)
4450 lbs (204 kg)300 lbs (136 kg)
5375 lbs (170 kg)275 lbs (125 kg)
6250 lbs (113 kg)240 lbs (109 kg)
7125 lbs (57 kg)115 lbs (52 kg)
8*Towing not recommended
* Not available on all models
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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
510
Driving
■How to weigh the trailer lo ads using the public scale
Check each weight in the order indicated as shown.
Refer to the table on the right for each we ight’s limit except for the tongue load.
2Tongue load P. 509
•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 manu al 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.
If a public scale is not av ailable, 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 estima te it based on cargo
distribution. Weight limit for 2WD models AWD models
Front gross axle2,976 lbs
(1,350 kg)2,998 lbs
(1,360 kg)
Gross vehicle 5,963 lbs
(2,705 kg) 6,195 lbs
(2,810 kg)
Rear gross axle3,164 lbs
(1,435 kg)3,340 lbs
(1,515 kg)
Gross combined 8,444 lbs
(3,830 kg) 10,141 lbs
(4,600 kg)
Weight limit for Models with trailer hitch
Front gross axle2,998 lbs
(1,360 kg)
Gross vehicle 6,195 lbs
(2,810 kg)
Rear gross axle3,384 lbs
(1,535 kg)
Gross combined 10,141 lbs
(4,600 kg)
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.
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Continued511
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
Towing generally requires a vari ety of supplemental equipment.
To ensure the best quality, we recommend that you purchase Honda equipment
whenever possible.
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer hitch as
standard equipment.
2Trailer brakes P. 512
■Towing Equipment and Accessories1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipmen t is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and lo cal regulations.
Consult your trai ler maker for prope r installation and
setup of the equipment.
Improper installation and setup can affect the
handling, stability, and br aking performance of your
vehicle.
Consult your traile r sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of tra ilers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qua lified technician.
Trailer packages and products availa ble at a dealer.
•Ball mount kit.•Hitch harness kit
•Trailer hitch kit
2Trailer brakes P. 512
Models with trailer hitch
Trailer hitch
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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
512
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 brake s: 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 ve hicle’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 hitch harness is used to install the
controller for the electric trailer brakes.
Insert the trailer brake fuse into the engine
compartment fuse box.
2 Engine Compartment Fuse Box P. 778
1Trailer brakes
The 4-pin gray connector is located under the
dashboard near the driver’s side interior fuse box.
Electric Brake
(Pink)
Ground (Black) +B (Green) (20A)
Stop (Violet)
Trailer brake controller
connector’s terminals:
Electric Brake
(Brown)
+B (20A)
(Blue)
Ground
(Black)
Brake Lights
(Sky Blue)
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uuTowing a Trailer uTowing 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 inst all a Honda wiring harness and converter.
They are designed for your vehicle.
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.
■Hitches
The hitch must be of an approved type and properly bolted to the underbody.
1 Trailer light
The trailer lighting connect or 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 converte r, ask a dealer for the
correct connector and pins.
Trailer Brake
(Pink)
+B Trailer Main
(Light Blue) +B Trailer Charge
(Yellow)
IG2 Option
(Red) Back Light
(Gray)
Trailer Small Light
(Light Green)
Brake Signal
(Purple)
Pins’ wiring color codes and their purposes:
Right Turn Signal
(B ro wn) Left

Turn Signal
(Blue)
Models without trailer hitch
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514
uuTowing a Trailer uTowing Preparation
Driving
■Weight distribution hitches
Your vehicle is designed to tow without the need for a load distributing hitch. If you
wish to use one, please consult your trailer maker for proper installation and set-up.
Improper set-up could degrade the handlin g, stability, and braking performance of
your vehicle.
■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
■Sway control
This device can be used if your trailer te nds to sway. Your trailer maker can tell you
what kind of sway control you need and how to install it. Improper installation could
degrade the handling and stability of your vehicle.
■Trailer mirrors
Many states, provinces and te rritories require special exterior mirrors when towing a
trailer. Install special mirrors whenever you cannot clearly see behind you, or if the
trailer creates a blind spot.
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515
uuTowing a Trailer uTrailer Stability Assist
Driving
Trailer Stability Assist
Helps stabilize the vehicle and traile r when the trailer severely sways.
■How trailer stability assist works
When the vehicle and trailer become unstable while driving, trailer stability assist
determines the cause. If the trailer oscilla tion is detected as the cause, and the
swaying increases, the system applies the br akes or controls engine output to reduce
vehicle speed.
Both the vehicle and trailer brake lights co me on automatically if you brake to
reduce vehicle speed.
1 Trailer Stability Assist
Trailer stability assist is not a function that prevents
the vehicle and trailer from swaying. Avoid high
speeds, abrupt steering, improper trailer load, and
sudden braking to keep th e trailer from swaying.
When swaying too severely, the system becomes
ineffective, and you may lose control of your vehicle,
causing the trailer to ro ll over or get damaged.
2 Driving Safely with a Trailer P. 516
Trailer towing sway is caused by:
•Crosswinds
•Improper tongue load
•Excessive Speed
The VSA ® system indicator blinks during the trailer
stability assist operation. 2 VSA ® Operation P. 555
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