Towing question

[Meadows11]

My current tow vechicle is 03 Expedition. I recently bought a 17 Honda Pilot (with a tow package rated at 5000 towing capacity). I would like to get it set up to tow our 2013 X23B just in the Expedition goes down. I guess I need to buy another hitch/sway bar and equalizer. Where can I take it to get fitted for the Pilot? Also, how do I get the trailer there? Tow it separately?
Thanks!

[bedrck46]

Your 17 Honda Pilot is rated at 5000 towing capacity


The Jayco X23B has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 4950 lbs
Not much of a safety margin to work with Just my opinion but your to close to the max of the Honda
Whereas the 03 expy is rated to tow with the 4.6 engine 5000lbs
or with the 5.4 engine 8650/8950 4X4/4X2


Now if your expy has the 4.6 I would consider that borderline but if your expy has the 5.4 with heavy duty tow package I would only use that

[jamesmc321]

x2... you will blow past your gross / recommended weights towing that camper with that truck

[us71na]

I think you have to order the towing model for the 2017 Pilot. The older models all came with a receiver from the factory. I agree that you are going to be too close to the max tow capacity with your TT.

[Subaru297]

I agree you would be cutting it very close on weights but if you need to setup the Pilot you would need:

Receiver installed Class III
Brake controller installed and wired to 7 pin plug next to the receiver
Transmission cooler (this is usually a part of a factory towing package)

You can then reuse the existing hitch for the trailer but you would have to set it up based on the hitch height of the Pilot.

[bansai]

Originally Posted by Meadows11

My current tow vechicle is 03 Expedition. I recently bought a 17 Honda Pilot (with a tow package rated at 5000 towing capacity). I would like to get it set up to tow our 2013 X23B just in the Expedition goes down. I guess I need to buy another hitch/sway bar and equalizer. Where can I take it to get fitted for the Pilot? Also, how do I get the trailer there? Tow it separately?
Thanks!

Most UHauls will install whatever hitch you want on your TV.

I don't know anything about the Honda Pilot, assumed it was a commuter vehicle / wouldn't tow.

What's your payload? Tow rating is not as important usually.

[SkyBound]

I seem to recall that some of the older Pilots were not compatible with a Weight Distributing Hitch. Anyone else chime in on this? Did something change so that it is compatible now?

[Dustdevil]

Trailer is 4205 unloaded, 4950 GVWR, which leaves 745 for gear, water, food, etc. That's tight already. Assuming you don't overload it, you only have 50 lbs to play with on the GCWR of the Pilot and trailer together. I don't think I would risk that. 500 lbs is better, and 1000 is comfortable as a margin between trailer actual loaded weight and max towing capacity. Especially if you plan to take more than two people.

[Meadows11]

I did get the towing package with transmission cooler and it is rated for 5000 lbs. towing. I also have a smaller trailer that I planned to use it to tow ( not a camper).
With that being said, I guess the Pilot is not an option to tow the camper with. I didn't think the camper was that amount in weight... As the the Expedition has the 5.4 motor so weight was never an issue.

[wags999]

As others have said you need to look at payload rating not just towing rating. You may well be way beyond the load capacity of your vehicle.

[Meadows11]

So, are you suggesting to get the TV/ trailer weight at a station? I do not have a Cat Weigh Station close..... Any other suggestions on where to go? Do landfill offer this service? Thank you...

[wags999]

You should have somewhere, typically on the drivers door post, a sicker with something about the total weight of your vehicle with cargo should not exceed **** lbs.. Your trailer will have a tongue weight of about 12% to 13% of the weight of the TT. If your trailer weights about 4800 lbs your tongue weight would be about 600 lbs. Add in your cargo and passengers, fuel etc and you will get a loaded weight of your vehicle. Typically this weight will exceed your vehicles limits before the towing capacity. My truck is rated for 10,100 towing, but my 6800 lbs trailer is almost at capacity of my load rating of my truck. No way could I tow a 9000 lb trailer even tho I could pull it down the road.. Good Luck. !

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

I seem to recall that some of the older Pilots were not compatible with a Weight Distributing Hitch. Anyone else chime in on this? Did something change so that it is compatible now?

One of my neighbors around the corner has a Ridgeline and tows a 21' Escape using a WDH. It sounds like Honda's recommendation to not use one is related to lack of stability or decreased handling due to improper set up. I found this paragraph from the 2017 Pilot Owners manual which would seem to agree with that sentiment:

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 handling, stability, and braking performance of your vehicle.

[Subaru297]

Sorry I misread your original post. Pretty obvious reading it again.

I don't think you need to buy anything extra. Spend an hour to setup your existing hitch head for the Pilot and give it a try. You may not have to adjust anything if the hitch height is really close between the two vehicles.

Give it a try with the Pilot and see how you like it. Maybe try to find a scale nearby and weigh everything on your test to see how close you are to your payload limits but you should be fine.

[Rustic Eagle]

If one follows the "Towing a Trailer/Trailer Preparation" guide lines within the 2017 Pilot owner's manual I believe one will find that the X23B won't be a good match for the AWD Pilot.

The Pilot's specified tongue weight limit is 500lbs (with/without a WDH) and as stated has a maximum Tow Rating of 5,000lbs...., both limits based on 2 occupants per the owners manual. The 2017 Pilot owners manual also provides a very detailed chart on the "de-rating" of both the tongue weight and tow rating limits as occupants and/or cargo are added.

As mentioned a X23B 'as-shipped' CCC is limited and it's common to approach it's 4,950lb GVWR under loaded conditions (BIL had one). IMO it will be very difficult to keep the X23B's recommended loaded tongue weight under/or at the Pilot's specified limits once occupants, cargo, etc., are considered...., even without knowing the OP's actual scaled "available" payload capacity.

Source: 2017 Pilot Owner's Manual....... https://carmanuals2.com/honda/pilot-...-manual-103213

Bob

ps: I was impressed with the Pilot's owner's manual detailed "Towing a Trailer" and "Trailer Preparation" sections.