Options for a trailer with a Honda Pilot as TV.

jkc0325 wrote:
Hello,

I am new to this forum and I am just starting to do some research into buying a camper of some sort. DH and I have tent camped for the past 20 years. As I approach age 50, I'm realizing I want to continue with camping life but maybe make it a little easier on myself. We currently own a Honda Pilot with a tow rating of 4500lbs. While I want some conveniences, indoor kitchen, beds off the ground, and a bathroom/shower, I am not willing to risk my family's safety to get it. Purchasing a larger TV is off the table right now. (don't want to have to increase our car payment or gas budget)

Realistically, what should I be looking to purchase? I am hoping to be able to purchase something by next year.

Any advice for me? Thanks!!!

Look at a Casita, Scamp or Rpod trailers.

We just traded in my 2012 Honda Pilot Touring for an F150. We towed a Palomino Stampede 195SD hybrid with no problems with the Pilot. The problem was that the Stampede wasn't big enough for my family. Two adults, 2 teenagers and an 8 yr old. Keep in mind that Honda does not want you to use a wdh with the Pilot. But I would highly recommend anti sway. We upgraded to a TT that was still within the 4500lbs but needed the wdh. The front end floated so badly that we traded it in immediately. Stay within the 4500 with the hybrids and you will be ok. The Roo and Shamrock are nice units if you don't mind tent ends.

I am editing to add that the Palomino was just under 3600 lbs. No issues as long as you have sway control.

Jkc0323 is right as most travel trailers have a heavy tongue weight that requires a WDH. Your pilot's unibody is to weak for a WHD and Honda recommends against it.

I midsize 12' Pop Up should be light enough tongue weight to use without a WDH hitch. You still may need to get timberon helpers. My old 2005 Pathfinder was pathetic without a WDH and road a wheely with my light popup.

I would try to stay with a 'loaded' tongue weight less than 300 lbs. Use a hitch scale to find out. My Pathfinder road the wheely with a 300 lbs tongue weight.

I've met people pulling 13 foot Scamps and Casitas, and A-Liner hard-side folders, with Pilots and similar class SUVs (e.g. V-6 Highlanders).

Welcome to the forum!

There are many smaller travel trailers, that are light weight. Some of the newer ones even have a more aerodynamic frontal design, that helps make it easier to tow, with a lighter duty vehicle, such as yours.

Remember to use GVWR of the trailer for weight specs, rather than the dry weight, to see if it fits your TV ratings.

It would help if your Pilot had the tow package, including receiver hitch, 7-pin wiring, and a transmission cooler.

Happy camping,
Jerry

Yep, I'd have to say that a low profile trailer is about the only thing you can hope for... (IE tent trailer)

Even with a "4,500 tow rating", I wouldn't want to tow more than a #2000 tent trailer with it..

Remember, you still have to allow for all the stuff you want to take with you, plus any other people and critters too.. ;)

Since you know how to tent camp, you know what you need to enjoy time in the wilderness.. All you want now is to be off the ground, indoor kitchen and have a bathroom.. :)

You can get that with a pop up tent trailer with no problem.

I have a full sided #5000 TT with all those features and I would not pull it with a Honda Pilot.. I'm going to be 52 next month and I've been camping with since I was six months old and that's from on the ground to full hookup RV's.

Good luck!

Mitch

Thanks for the quick reply. It seems like there are some really light ones and some that are just as heavy as a TT. I'm looking at a few that come in around 3000lbs loaded. Do you think that would be too much?

Tent trailers is realistically where your at.