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Old 05-18-2014, 01:46 PM   #1
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Newbie with Questions

Picked up my Greyhawk 31FS a couple months ago. Did the driveway camping thing and that was an eye opener. We got a whole pad full of things we needed , brought and didn't need, and things we wanna change. We are planning a long trip in a couple months and want to tow a Honda Pilot. I have read in a few places that it is fine for flat towing. My question is what is a good tow bar for it and do I need a brake system for it? The once I've found are pretty pricey.

My second question is we still have a baby in a car seat and don't see an optimal place for a car seat. Anybody got advice as to the best place to put one?

Finally, any general tips or specific tips for the Greyhawk 31FS would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 05-18-2014, 04:46 PM   #2
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We own a 2014 Greyhawk 31FS. You don't mention the year of your pilot. However the 2014 Pilot weight is 4503# dry. Keep in mind that the basic weight doesn't include any options even factory ones. It also doesn't include anything else that you put in it. You will be at or over your tow rating on the Greyhawk. You can increase the Greyhawk tow rating by a "sub frame beef up" and new hitch. That will allow you to tow up to 7,500# with 750# of tongue weight. I suggest that you weigh your pilot at a commercial scale with it loaded as it would be for a trip. You most certainly will need brakes for the Pilot. The electrical system of the Pilot will also need to be modified to allow the brake lights to come on when the Greyhawk brakes come on.
As to the car seats, we have twins. We removed the cushion from behind the passenger seat and put rubber matting on top of the board. Then we strapped the car seats into place.
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Old 05-20-2014, 11:19 AM   #3
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Thanks for the great advice. I am definitely going to weigh the Pilot( its an 08).
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Old 05-22-2014, 07:03 AM   #4
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If I were going to place a car seat in my 31FS, I would also place it rear facing on the forward table bench. I would anchor the top of the seat down to the passenger seat frame.

However, in a crash, most likely the plywood seat back of the dinnette is going to break. I would also advise to not stow anything you would not want falling on your had in the cabinet above the babies head.
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Old 05-22-2014, 10:06 AM   #5
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If I were going to place a car seat in my 31FS, I would also place it rear facing on the forward table bench. I would anchor the top of the seat down to the passenger seat frame.

However, in a crash, most likely the plywood seat back of the dinette is going to break. I would also advise to not stow anything you would not want falling on your had in the cabinet above the babies head.
That is where we have the twins we just had to remove the cushions to get the car seats to fit. Jayco has provided seat belts that are anchored to the floor that I used to strap the car seats down. I did put a rubber mat on top of the wood to protect the wood and provide some cushioning for the car seats.
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Old 05-23-2014, 11:15 PM   #6
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I think the pilot would be the upper limit of size to tow. BUT, are you sure it can be flat towed? The only newer model Honda's I ever see flat towed are the CRV'S and those may be lighter too
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Old 05-29-2014, 11:56 AM   #7
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I have checked the 2014 Guide to Dingy Towing put out by Motorhome Mag and I don't see the Pilot listed as a car to tow 4 down. Best check with the dealer.

The brake system I use is the RVI brake. Very easy and no major wiring to be done.
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Old 05-29-2014, 01:33 PM   #8
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We looked at buying a 2013 Pilot because we had read on other forums that they can be flat-towed. The dealer informed us that people do it all the time, but that it is not recommended by the maufacturer and therefore voids the warranty. Apparently, there is a sequence of shifting into drive, then reverse, etc., that people use to flat tow.
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Old 05-30-2014, 01:03 PM   #9
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You will need brakes on the toad... I think most states require it by law..
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Old 05-30-2014, 02:51 PM   #10
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Exclamation Brakes on toad!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45 View Post
You will need brakes on the toad... I think most states require it by law..
X2
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Old setup:
2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 LT with a 2004 Jayco JayFlight 29BHS
2014 Greyhawk 31FS with a 2007 Tahoe toad
New setup:
2014 Thor Palazzo 33.3 with a 2017 Ford Explorer toad
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Old 05-31-2014, 07:19 PM   #11
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You will need brakes on the toad... I think most states require it by law..

I agree, in fact you will see a big difference with a brake system. A friend of mine uses a toad and here in Oregon where it is not required. He just had to replace his brakes on his RV and it is newer with less miles than mine. It only makes common sense to have a brake on the toad.
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