If you own or are considering a Honda Pilot and you’re looking to pull your rig, you’re probably wondering: can a Honda Pilot tow a camper?
Yes, a Honda Pilot can tow a travel trailer or camper up to 5000 pounds depending on the year and trim level.
There are additional factors you’ll need to consider when towing a travel trailer with your Honda Pilot which we’ll cover below.
Towing A Camper With A Honda Pilot
So, can a Honda Pilot tow a camper? Yes: the Honda Pilot towing capacity is 3500 pounds, so as long as your camper, toy hauler, travel trailer, or pop-up camper is under 3500 lbs your Honda Pilot can successfully tow it.
Now we need to explore the additional factors you’ll need to keep in mind when towing your camper using your Honda Pilot.
Honda Pilot Tow Package Details
Does Honda Pilot Have A Towing Package?
The Honda Pilot has an optional tow package and yours may not have a hitch already installed. If so, you’ll need to add one yourself or have one installed professionally.
What Do I Need To Tow A Camper With A Honda Pilot?
At minimum you’ll need a trailer hitch and wiring harness to tow your camper behind your Honda Pilot.
Do I Need A Brake Controller To Tow A Camper With A Honda Pilot?
If your travel trailer or camper has electronic brakes then you’ll also need a brake controller to send a signal from your vehicle to the brakes on your trailer.
Most states have laws stating that any trailer over 3,000 pounds must have a brake controller, but check with your state for specifics.
Honda Pilot Tow Package Cost
Honda Pilot Trailer Hitch & Wiring Harness Cost
Honda Pilot trailer hitches run between $150-$300.
- Class III trailer hitch come with 1-1/4" Reciever Tubes. Class III,IV&V with 2" Receiver Tube.WC/TW Capacity: 3500/350 lbs WD/TW Capacity: 5000/500 lbs.
- Carbide black finish Reduce rust. Unique design for each specific truck application
- Fitment: Compatible with 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Honda Pilot, 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 MDX
- Mounting hardware kit included.No drilling Required
- Exceed V5 Standards
- [ FITMENT ] - Compatible With 2014-2020 Acura MDX All Models, 2016-2022 Honda Pilot All Models
- [ STYLE ] - Class 3 Trailer Tow Hitch With 2" Receiver Opening
- [ DESIGN & FUNCTION ] - Trailer Towing Hitch / Trailer Towing Hitch Mount Designed For Towing All Kinds Of Accessories Such As Different Sizes Of Vehicle, A Bike Rack, RV, Trailer, ATV Motorcycle, Off-Road Equipments, Camping Equipments, Wheelchair, Etc ; Works Well With Trucks, SUVs & Vans For Towing Purposes
- [ SPECIFICATIONS ] - Hitch Class: Class 3 ; Receiver Size: 2" Receiver Tube ; Carrying Capacity - 6000 lbs ; Tongue Weight - 900 lbs ; Weight Distribution - 8000 lbs ; Weight Distribution Tongue Weight - 900 lbs
- [ QUALITY, COLOR & COMPONENTS ] - High Quality Steel & Made Ready For Heavy Duty Towing Work ; Black In Color ; Each Kit Contains 1x Trailer Hitch & Required Installation Hardware With Easy To Follow Installation Guide That Requires A Basic Mechanic Tool Set ( Pin, Clip, Ballmount & Wirings Are Not Included )
A Honda Pilot trailer hitch wiring harness runs between $50-$75.
- EASY TO INSTALL. No cutting! No splicing! This trailer wiring harness kit plugs into existing factory wiring on your vehicle and equips it with a standard, rear 4-pin trailer wiring connector for plugging in and towing a trailer
- STANDARD CONNECTOR. This plug-in 4-flat trailer wiring can be used to connect trailer tail lights, brake signal lights and turn signals. 4-way trailer light wiring is popular on a wide variety of trailers, adding versatile towing options for your vehicle
- VEHICLE-SPECIFIC. This aftermarket, vehicle-trailer wiring harness is designed for select years of the Honda Pilot (factory tow package required)
- RELIABLE POWER. This 4-way trailer wiring harness is built with surface mount technology. This type of circuitry generates less heat, optimal light intensity and durable performance
- DUST COVER. To promote long-lasting use and weather resistance, this 4-pole trailer lighting wire harness comes with a rubber dust cover. It easily fits onto the 4-way flat connector when not in use, protecting it against the outdoor elements
Honda Pilot Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
Expect to pay between $150 and $300 to have a tow package professionally installed on your Honda Pilot (including the hitch and wiring harness).
Honda Pilot Brake Controller Cost
Honda Pilot brake controllers cost between $100-200 for the part, and up to $250 for the installation of the brake controller.
Honda Pilot Tow Package Installation
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Honda Pilot trailer hitch installation:
What Else Will I Need To Pull A Trailer With My Honda Pilot?
Depending on what trailer or camper you’ll be pulling with your Honda Pilot, you may opt for a suspension enhancement kit to reduce rear-end sag and to improve your ride quality and stability.
Additionally, if your trailer or camper has electric brakes then you’ll need a 7-way connector and brake controller kit.
What Is The Best Camper For Honda Pilot?
Your Honda Pilot can pull a trailer, camper, or pop-up camper between 2,500 and 5,000 pounds which is going to be most lightweight campers.
The Honda Pilot can safely tow the following travel trailer and camper models under 3500 lbs:
- Forest River Wolf Pup 16FG
- Coachmen Clipper Ultra-Lite 17CFG
- Taxa Outdoors Cricket
- Airstream Nest
- Vintage Cruiser 19CSK
- Forest River R-POD RP-180 & RP-172
- Jayco Hummingbird 10RK
- 17’ Deluxe Casita Travel Trailers
- Oliver Legacy Elite
- Aliner Ascape Camp
- Venture Sonic Lite SL169VUD
- Scamp 13’, 16’, and 19’ Deluxe Models
- Droplet Camper
- Palomino Puma Ultra Lite 16QBX
This is by no means a full list, but the above are some popular examples of campers that can be towed by a Honda Pilot.
When determining what travel trailers you can pull behind your Honda Pilot, you’ll want to know the following specs:
UVM (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) aka Dry Weight: This is the weight of a trailer as it’s manufactured at the factory. This figure includes all the weight including the axles and hitch of your trailer or camper.
Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): This is the maximum weight of your personal belongings that can be added. This is the GVWR minus the UVM, full fresh water tank weight, and full LP (liquid propane) gas weight. In other words, CCC = GWVR – (UVM + water + gas).
Tongue Weight aka Hitch Weight: This is the amount of weight that’s pressing down on your vehicle’s hitch or 5th wheel connection when your travel trailer or camper is fully loaded for travel.
The most important factor to look for is the dry weight or UVM of your travel trailer or camper and making sure it’s below 5,000 lbs (or less depending on if your Pilot is a 2WD or not equipped with an ATF cooler) so your Honda Pilot can safely tow it.
Understand that if it’s close to that number, you must also factor in any additional weight added to your trailer via cargo, water, or propane tanks and make sure the total does not exceed 5,000 pounds.
How Much Weight Can A Honda Pilot Tow?
So, how much weight can a Honda Pilot tow?
The Honda Pilot tow capacity varies by year, trim level, and engine specs.
Refer to the following chart to find the towing capacity of your Honda Pilot.
Honda Pilot Towing Capacity Chart
| Honda Pilot Model Year | Honda Pilot Towing Capacity of AWD models with ATF cooler | Honda Pilot Towing Capacity of AWD models without ATF cooler | Honda Pilot Towing Capacity of 2WD models with ATF cooler | Honda Pilot Towing Capacity of 2WD models without ATF cooler |
| 2022-2016 | 5000 lbs | 3500 lbs | 3500 lbs | 3500 lbs |
| 2015-2013 | 4500 lbs | 4500 lbs | 3500 lbs | 2000 lbs |
| 2012 | 4500 lbs | 4500 lbs | 3500 lbs | 2000 lbs |
| 2011-2009 | 4500 lbs | 4500 lbs | 3500 lbs | 3500 lbs |
| 2008-2003 | 3500 lbs | 3500 lbs | 3500 lbs | 3500 lbs |
You’ll want to pay attention to the following specs to make sure your Honda Pilot can tow your camper or travel trailer:
CGWR (Combined Gross Weight Rating): This is the max allowable weight including your vehicle, cargo, passengers, and the trailer.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is the maximum weight capacity of your vehicle including the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo without a trailer or camper attached. Exceeding either or both of the Honda Pilot GVWR or Honda Pilot towing capacity can damage the vehicle.
Honda Pilot AWD Towing Capacity
The Honda Pilot AWD towing capacity is between 3,500 and 5,000 pounds depending on the year and whether or not it is equipped with an ATF cooler. Refer to the chart above to determine how much can a Honda Pilot tow.
Honda Pilot 4×4 Towing Capacity
The Honda Pilot 4×4 model towing capacity is between 3,500 and 5,000 pounds depending on the year and whether or not it is equipped with an ATF cooler. Refer to the chart above to determine your Honda Pilot towing capacity.
Which Honda Pilot Can Tow 5000 Pounds?
The 2016-2022 Honda Pilot AWD models can tow 5000 pounds if they are the Pilot version equipped with an ATF cooler.
Can A Honda Pilot Tow A Travel Trailer? Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully this guide helped you to understand that yes, you can pull a trailer with a Honda Pilot as long as you pay close attention to the total weight (the camper or travel trailer must be under 5000 pounds).
Since a Honda Pilot doesn’t always come with a towing package installed, you may need to add one to the vehicle. After that, you’re ready to hit the road!
What hitch and wiring harness did you choose for your Honda Pilot, and what camper or trailer are you towing with it? How did the hitch installation go? Let your fellow campers know in the comments below.
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