Pilot towing experience ?

Anyone have any real-world towing experience with the Pilot?

The Honda web site says it's rated at 4,500 lbs for boat trailers and
3,500 lbs for other trailers. What is that about? I've researched
towing for 5 years because of towing my camper, and this is the first
that I've seen a vehicle given different weight numbers based on the
TYPE of trailer. How would the tow vehicle know if it's a boat or my
camper?

I have a 2000 Odyssey and tow my camper with it. Camper dry weight is
1,858. By the time we're all loaded I consider the Odyssey maxed-out.
With the four of us and our stuff and the camper hooked-up, the
Odyssey's tail is dragging. I would never try to tow a 3,000+ lb boat
with it. Yet, the Odyssey and the Pilot supposedly are both rated to
tow 3,500 trailers. But the Pilot supposedly can do an extra 1,000 lbs
if it's towing a boat????

I'm looking to get a boat that weighs about 3,200 lbs. total (boat,
engine and trailer). I would never run the actual tow weight (3,200)
that close to the tow rating (3,500). But I would consider it if the
real tow rating of the vehicle was 4,500.

Has anyone towed a 3,000+ pound boat behind a Pilot and actually pulled
your boat out of a steep, slippery boat ramp?!

Can anyhone explain this strangeness of supposedly having two different
tow ratings??

Thanks

Tom Klingler
Ohio

 

Can anyhone explain this strangeness of supposedly having two different

As it was explained to me, a boat is more aerodynamic making it easier to
tow. The Pilots 4500 lbs means it must be outfitted with a class 3 hitch,
power steering and transmission coolers....to keep the warranty valid.

Rick

 

Tom,
I found your post interesting. I have a 10 ft Jayco fold-down camper that I
tow with our 2000 Ody as well. I think the trailer is ~1000 lbs, maybe 1500
lbs loaded. We also have 4 small children (under 6 yrs).
Am I gonna be in trouble towing everything once the kids grow?
Hmmm...perhaps I oughta post this on the Ody Club message board:
http://www.odyclub.com/

-chris