Forum Discussion

sooneruga's avatar
sooneruga
Explorer
May 04, 2013

Towing a Honda Pilot

I know questions about towing Honda Pilots have been asked in some form or fashion before but what I would like to know are there people towing newer Honda Pilots (2010, 2011, 2012) that are 4wd (vs. 2wd). I have a 2012 4wd Pilot and I've read people have had success towing Pilots but I'm not sure if they're 2wd or 4wd.

Also, I do know that flat towing is not approved by Honda for the Pilots and that the warranty would be void if something happened to the trans, but people have been towing Pilots and other non-approved Honda's for years without any problems. But, as I mentioned, I'm not sure if people are towing 4wd Pilots.

Thanks,
Michael

4 Replies

  • I have a vague recollection that the reason Honda does not approve towing the Pilot has to do with damage during towing because there isn't a sturdy enough place to mount the baseplate.

    YMMV
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Owner's Manual should spell it out for you. Hondas are great vehicles but I haven't had one. From what I read here, Honda's officially approved a couple of their vehicles for "recreational towing." CRV for sure, and lately I hear (but cannot confirm!) the FIT. There's a pre-towing procedure. I also heard Ridgeline was NOT towable.
    Be sure you read up on Recreational Towing. Owner's Manuals have discussed towing of broken-down vehicles for decades. Recreational Towing only fairly recently.