tow HONDA PILOT 2010 2.G User Guide

If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Turn of f the lights.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
Make sure the glass hatch is
closed securely.
Except LX models
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
419
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The maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
depends on the number of occupants
in your vehicle and the type of trailer
being towed (see page ).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
Be sure to read the
sectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).394
449
438
Towing a Trailer
Load Limit
Off-Highway
Driving GuidelinesT ot al T railer Weight
Break-In Period
434
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
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The weight that the tongue of a f ully
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
shouldbe5to10percentof thetotal
trailer weight f or boat trailers, and 8
to 15 percent of total trailer weight
f or all other trailers. (See page
f or limits f or your towing
situation). Too much tongue load
reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load is:
The maximum allowable weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, all
accessories, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed:
on the f ront axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
2:LXmodels
1:ExceptLXmodels
on the rear axle
438
4WD models:
2WD models:
4WD models:
2WD models:
2
1
Towing a Trailer
Tongue Load
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Driving
435
5,952 lbs (2,700 kg)
6,096 lbs (2,765 kg)
2,921 lbs (1,325 kg)
3,362 lbs (1,525 kg)
3,251 lbs (1,475 kg)
2,921 lbs (1,325 kg)
3,196 lbs (1,450 kg)
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Thebestwaytoconfirmthatall
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale. For public
scales in your area, check your local
phone book, or contact your trailer
dealer or rental agency for
assistance.
To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described next.
Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions.
The maximum allowable weight of
the f ully loaded vehicle and trailer
with the proper hitch is:
The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent f or every 1,000 f eet (305
meters) of elevation.
438
4WD models:
2WD models:
Estimating LoadsGross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR):
To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
Towing a Trailer
436
9,579 lbs (4,345 kg)
8,466 lbs (3,840 kg)
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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 models4WD models
Towing a Trailer
To Estimate the Tongue Load
Driving
437
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T owing is Not Recommended
Number of
Occupants
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Maximum T otal T railer WeightMaximum T ongue Load
T owing is Not Recommended
Number of
Occupants
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Maximum T otal T railer WeightMaximum 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
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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
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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 trailers
8-15% 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
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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 BrakesHitch
Weight Distributing Hitch
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Driving
441
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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
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
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.
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.
Towing a Trailer
Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rol
Trailer Mirrors
442
GROUND (BLACK)
BRAKE(20A)(BLUE)
ELECTRIC BRAKE(BROWN/WHITE)
STOP(SKY BLUE)
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