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bclan6's avatar
bclan6
Explorer
Jun 01, 2015

Toading Honda Pilot? Odyssey?

Should I or shouldn't I? These are lighter than the Traverse, Explorer and Outlook. The later 3 push me to the limit of 5k pounds to tow. I like having more breathing room with the pilot or odyssey.

This is the statement on Remco for the Pilot and Odyssey vehicles.


Towable as is with speed and/or distance restrictions. Please see Owner's Manual for confirmation and procedures.
It is not recommended to tow this vehicle over 65MPH
When towing for an extended period of time, start the vehicle as often as possible and allow it to run for five minutes to prevent battery drain.
Officially from both Honda and REMCO the vehicle is not towable. However, we at Remco have a large number of customers who are flat-towing that vehicle behind their Motor Home and they are not having any issues. Follow the "Emergency Towing" procedures in the owner's manual to a "T" except ignore the restrictions and follow those procedures each and every time you tow. NOTE: If you choose tow your Honda, and have any damage to the Transmission as a result, you will have to pay for that expense out of pocket. It is nothing that Honda or Remco will warranty. Also, it should be noted that Remco sells no aftermarket product (Lube Pump or otherwise) to make this car towable.


Looking to toad approx. 8-10k miles a year. Please let me know if you have towed either of these Hondas and can tell me if it was successful or not.

8 Replies

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  • atperci's avatar
    atperci
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2015
    Sorry to join the party late, just wanted to throw my $0.02 into the pond. Better late than never!

    ALL 2015 and earlier Pilots and Odysseys have the exact same drive train. Also MDXs, but I don't know for sure what years they go up to. The only reason Honda stopped certifying them to be flat towed is because too many idiots messed up their tranny and went crying to their dealer for a repair. The proper set-up procedure most be followed exactly.

    1. Start engine
    2. Run transmission down to 1st gear.
    3. Shift back up to Drive, leave there for at least 3 minutes.
    4. Shift to Neutral and leave there.
    5. Turn off engine, leave key in ignition.
    6. Disengage parking brake.
    7. You're ready to go!

    Do not place in tranny in Reverse after following the above steps. If you do, repeat the above steps and make sure to stop in Neutral.

    Been towing our 2005 Pilot since last year more than 6,000 mile so far, no problems. Wish I had of known newer years could be towed four down, I would've bought one. But hey, if it works, why mess with it. Best of luck!
    Tom
  • Big_Katuna's avatar
    Big_Katuna
    Explorer II
    Jun 01, 2015
    Right. 05 and down Pilots, CRV and Element were approved to tow vis a vis their owners manual. Honda unofficially would tell you all Hondas could be safely if you followed the procedure.

    After 05 only the CRV was approved until the FIT came out. The Element shares the driveline with CRVs but Honda Doesn't ok it.

    I tow an 11 Element. I found one a few years ago with 5000 miles on it.
  • Rick_Jay's avatar
    Rick_Jay
    Explorer II
    Jun 01, 2015
    I believe the Honda Pilots and Odysseys up to around 2005 weighed in somewhere between 4,400-4,500 lbs., give or take. Our 2001 Odyssey weighs in around 4,450 lbs. or so, depending upon what we store in it while we travel.

    Honda Pilots and Odysseys model years 2005 and newer might be lighter, but they are not sanctioned by Honda for flat-towing. That doesn't mean there aren't people who do, just that Honda doesn't recommend it as they did in most pre-2005 vehicles.

    No problems at all towing our 2001 Odyssey. You do have to follow their pre-tow procedure to the letter and the transmission oil change interval is decreased because the odometer doesn't record the mileage while being towed.

    ~Rick
  • bclan6's avatar
    bclan6
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2015
    Dave in TN wrote:
    What year vehicle are you looking to tow? I tow a 2005 Acura MDX (mechanically similar to the Pilot) with no issues, but it was around 1/2 way through the 2005 model I believe that Honda changed their stance on recreational towing of these vehicles. So I am assuming you are looking at pulling a 2006 or newer?



    I'm looking at purchasing whatever year will work as a toad. If the older MDX will toad then I'll look for that. Same with the Pilot and Odyssey.

    The Traverse weight stays around 4700lbs for all the years I've looked up. THe Hondas weigh closer to 4000 with exception of Odyssey. I can tow up to 5k. This is why I'm even bothering with them.

    The Explorer 4x4 can toad but living in FL, I'd rather save the gas mph and find a 4x2. I need something with cargo room behind 3rd row. This will serve as main family car for 6-7 people.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2015
    so you want to buy a vehicle to use as a toad. you want one that the mfr. recommends it not be towed. but you want to do it anyway. good luck. oh, ask Remco if they will pay for repairs to your tranny.
    bumpy
  • Dave_in_TN's avatar
    Dave_in_TN
    Nomad
    Jun 01, 2015
    What year vehicle are you looking to tow? I tow a 2005 Acura MDX (mechanically similar to the Pilot) with no issues, but it was around 1/2 way through the 2005 model I believe that Honda changed their stance on recreational towing of these vehicles. So I am assuming you are looking at pulling a 2006 or newer?

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