HONDA PILOT 2011 2.G Owners Manual

Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Measure and record the distance
from the ground to the bottom of
the trailer hitch.
Connect the f ully loaded trailer to
the hitch.
Measure again f rom the ground to
the same spot on the bottom of the
hitch.
Subtract the second measurement
from the first measurement, then
refer to the following table. Estimated
tongue load is:
150 lbs (68 kg)
250 lbs (114 kg)
350 lbs (159 kg)
450 lbs (205 kg)
If thedifferenceismorethan1¾
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed. If the
dif f erence is:
5/8’’
11/4’’
13/4’’ If the
dif f erence is:
5/8’’
11/4’’
13/4’’
21/4’’
If thedifferenceismorethan2¼
inch, you have too much load on the
tongue. Redistribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2WD models
4WD models
Towing a Trailer
To Estimate the Tongue Load
Driving
437
10/01/26 19:39:04 31SZA620_442
2011 Pilot

ÎÎÎ
Î ÎÎ
µµ
Î
ÎÎ
T owing is Not Recommended
Number of
Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7
8 Maximum T otal T railer Weight
Maximum T ongue Load
T owing is Not Recommended
Number of
Occupants 2
3
4
5
6
7
8 Maximum T otal T railer Weight
Maximum T ongue Load
2WD models
4WD models
Towing a Trailer
438
Total Trailer Weight and Tongue Load Limits:
3,500 lbs (1,588 kg)
3,300 lbs (1,497 kg)
3,100 lbs (1,406 kg)
3,000 lbs (1,361 kg)
2,800 lbs (1,270 kg)
2,000 lbs (907 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
300 lbs (136 kg)
230 lbs (104 kg)
200 lbs (91 kg)
150 lbs (68 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)
4,500 lbs (2,041 kg)
4,300 lbs (1,950 kg)
4,100 lbs (1,860 kg)
4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
3,800 lbs (1,724 kg)
2,000 lbs (907 kg) 450 lbs (204 kg)
400 lbs (181 kg)
330 lbs (150 kg)
270 lbs (122 kg)
190 lbs (86 kg)
100 lbs (45 kg)
The corresponding weight limits assume occupants fill seats from the front of the vehicle to the back, each occupant weighs 150 lbs (68
kg), and each has 15 lbs (7 kg) of cargo in the cargo area. Any additional weight, including cargo or accessories, reduces the maximum
trailer weight and maximum tongue load. Never exceed the gross axle weight ratings (see page ).
Recommended tongue load should be 5 10% of the total trailer weight for boat trailers, and 8 15% of the total trailer weight for all other
trailers. 435
10/01/26 19:39:15 31SZA620_443
2011 Pilot

To accurately check your loads at
the public scale, the vehicle and
trailer should be f ully loaded, and all
occupants should stay in the vehicle
while the attendant watches the
scale.Check the f ront gross axle weight.
Limit: 2,921 lbs (1,325 kg) Check the gross vehicle weight.
Limit (4WD models): 6,096 lbs
(2,765 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 5,952 lbs
(2,700 kg)If you cannot weigh the rear axle
directly, you can calculate the rear
gross axle weight by subtracting
the weight in step 1 from the
weight in step 2.
Limit (4WD models): 3,175 lbs
(1,440 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 3,031 lbs
(1,375 kg)
Check the rear gross axle weight.
Limit (4WD models): 3,362 lbs
(1,525 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 3,196 lbs
(1,450 kg)
1. 2.
3.4.
CONT INUED
Checking L oads
Towing a Trailer
Driving
439
10/01/26 19:39:25 31SZA620_444
2011 Pilot

Calculate the tongue load.
Subtract the weight in step 6 f rom
the weight in step 7.
Limit: See page .
Recommended: see page .
Range: 5-10% f or boat trailers8-15% f or other trailers
Check the weight of the unhitched
trailer. Limit: See page .
Check the weight of the hitched
trailer. Write this number down.
Check the gross combined weight.
Limit (4WD models): 9,579 lbs
(4,345 kg)
Limit (2WD models): 8,466 lbs
(3,840 kg)
Remember, maximum gross
combined weight should be
decreased 2% f or every 1,000 f eet
(305 meters) of elevation. 7.
8.
6.
5.
438
438 435
Towing a Trailer
440
10/01/26 19:39:34 31SZA620_445
2011 Pilot

CONT INUED
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
Read the trailer manufacturer’s
instructions, and select the
appropriate draw bar f or the height
of the trailer you will be towing.
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended f or use with your
vehicle, as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling, stability, and braking
perf ormance.
Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase
Honda equipment whenever possible.
Your dealer of f ers trailer packages
that include a ball mount, hitch plug,
and hitch pin. A wiring harness kit is
also available from your dealer. Honda recommends that any trailer
with a total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more has its own brakes.
Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets f ederal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Brakes
Hitch
Weight Distributing HitchT owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Driving
441
10/01/26 19:39:47 31SZA620_446
2011 Pilot

Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
dealer or rental agency can tell you
what kind of sway control you need
and how to install it.
Use this illustration to identif y each
terminal in the trailer brake
controller connector.
A f actory installed, 4-pin gray
connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the
parking brake pedal. This connector
has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake
controllers. A jumper harness to
adapt your electric trailer brake
controller to the vehicle is included
with the optional Genuine Honda
trailer hitch kit. To obtain a trailer
hitch kit, see your dealer.
Have a qualif ied mechanic install
your trailer brake controller
f ollowing the trailer brake controller
manuf acturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake
controller may increase the distance
it takes f or you to stop your vehicle
when towing a trailer.
Many states and provinces require
special exterior mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don’t, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot.
Towing a Trailer
Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rolTrailer Mirrors
442
GROUND
(BLACK)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
STOP
(SKY BLUE)BRAKE
(20A)
(PURPLE)
10/01/26 19:39:58 31SZA620_447
2011 Pilot

´
Your vehicle is equipped with a
connector to install an optional trailer
lighting connector that mates with
your vehicle. You can get this
optional connector f rom your dealer.
Ref er to the above illustration f or
wiring information.
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Check trailer light requirements f or
the areas where you plan to tow, and
use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.
When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. When replacing the
compact spare with a f ull size spare,
remove the plastic spacer (see page
). Store the plastic spacer and
compact spare together. Reinstall
thespacerbeforeonceagainstowing
the compact spare.
See page f or proper tire size,
page f or how to store a f ull size
wheel and tire, and page for
inf ormation on changing a f lat tire.
Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare
tire. 501
502
515 509
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Trailer LightsSpare Tires
Driving
443
GROUND
(BLACK)
LEFT TURN SIGNAL
AND BRAKE LIGHTS
(RED)
TAILLIGHTS
(GREEN)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
AND BRAKE LIGHTS
(WHITE)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
BACK-UP LIGHTS
(YELLOW)
GROUND
(BLACK)
B CHARGE
(BLUE)
10/01/26 19:40:10 31SZA620_448
2011 Pilot

The 7-pin trailer connector is needed
f or the trailer lights. To connect the
connector:Make sure the connector and the
socketarefreeof dirt,moisture,
or other f oreign material.
Open the socket lid by pulling it up.
Your vehicle has a class 3 trailer
hitch as standard equipment.
We recommend that you have your
dealer install a Honda wiring harness
and converter. This harness has
been designed f or your vehicle.
If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle f rom your dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary with
trailer type and brand, you should
also have a qualif ied mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicleandthetrailer.
The jumper harness and trailer
brakefusearestoredintheglove
box.
Also see page f or trailer-related
inf ormation.1.
2.
441
On Touring models
Towing a Trailer
Connect ing t he T railer Connect orsTowing Equipment
444
TRAILER HITCH 7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR
LID
7-PIN TRAILER CONNECTOR SOCKET
RETAINING
TAB
RETAINING
TAB
7-PIN TRAILER
CONNECTOR
10/01/26 19:40:24 31SZA620_449
2011 Pilot

´
Ref er to the above illustrations f or
wiring information.The trailer jumper harness is used to
install the controller f or the electric
trailer brakes. For more inf ormation,
see
on page .
Insert the connector securely into
the socket.
Hook the retaining tab on the
inner side of the lid against the
retaining tab of the connector to
prevent disconnection during
operation.
Insert the trailer brake f use into the
secondary under-hood f use box (see
page ).
3.
441
529
On Touring models On Touring models
Towing a Trailer
T railer Jumper Harness
T railer Connect or Socket s
Trailer Brakes
T railer Brake Fuse
Driving
445
7-PIN TRAILER SOCKET SMALL
LIGHT
(GREEN)
LEFT
TURN/
STOP
(RED)
BACK LIGHT
(YELLOW) GROUND
(BLACK)
BRAKE
(20A)
(BLUE)
ELECTRIC BRAKE
(BROWN/WHITE)
BRAKE LIGHTS
(SKY BLUE)
B
CHARGE
(BLUE)
RIGHT
TURN/
STOP
(WHITE)
ELECTRIC
BRAKE
(BROWN/
WHITE)
GROUND
(BLACK)
10/01/26 19:40:35 31SZA620_450
2011 Pilot

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing perf ormance can be
af f ected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Theref ore, premium
f uel (premium unleaded gasoline
with pump octane number of 91 or
higher) is recommended when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590
kg).
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
446
10/01/26 19:40:49 31SZA620_451
2011 Pilot