Towing Capacity of the Honda Pilot

by | Sep 10, 2022

Honda Pilot Towing Capacity

If you arrive at this page, chances are you are interested in the towing capacity of the Honda Pilot. 

Honda Pilot is an excellent vehicle to help you on your travels as an outdoor person. 

So what is the towing capacity of the Honda Pilot? 

This blog post will look at the towing capacity of the Honda Pilot across its different generations and trim levels. 

We will also discuss other safety measures in the vehicle and other features that contribute to driving the Honda Pilot a great experience. 

Towing Capacity of the Honda Pilot by Trim Levels

The Honda Pilot has a towing capacity of between 3500 and 5000 pounds, depending on the trim and year. 

There are two trims for the Honda Pilot:

The 2-wheel drive (2WD) has a towing capacity of 3500, while the all-wheel drive (4WD)has a towing capacity of 5000 pounds. 

Let’s look at the capacity of the Honda Pilot over the years and across the two trims.

YearTowing Capacity 2WDTowing Capacity AWD
20213500 pounds5000 pounds
20203500 pounds5000 pounds
20193500 pounds5000 pounds
20183500 pounds4500 pounds
20183500 pounds4500 pounds
20173500 pounds4500 pounds
20163500 pounds4500 pounds
20152000 pounds4500 pounds
20142000 pounds4500 pounds
20132000 pounds4500 pounds
20122000 pounds4500 pounds

The standard V6 engine produces 280 horsepower and pulls up to 5000 lbs. 

The engine also comes with a 9-speed Automatic Transmission that has Shift-By-Wire and Paddle Shifters. 

The V8 engine is consistent and available in all trim levels. 

What can the Honda Pilot Tow?

With the Honda Pilot having a towing capacity of 5000 pounds, there are many things it can tow. 

If you are an outdoors person who loves to go long distances and carry some equipment with you, the Honda Pilot is a great fit. 

Check below for some of the things your Honda Pilot can tow. 

A Speedboat: 

If you love to fish or love to go to the lake, then the Honda Pilot will be helpful. 

The Honda Pilot, with its 5000 pounds towing capacity, can tow your speedboat to the lake and any other destination. 

You can tow fiberglass and aluminum boats. 

Other Vehicles: 

The 5000 pounds towing capacity of the Honda Pilot is way above the average vehicle’s weight. 

So, if one of your cars or friends breaks down, the Honda Pilot will come in handy and help you tow it home or to the mechanic. 

Camper trailer: 

The Honda Pilot can also tow the trailer camper. You need to ensure it is below 5000 pounds. 

So, if you want to camp in the woods, you can take your smack camper with you on the journey, tolled by your Honda Pilot.

Building materials: 

If you are a builder or have construction, the Honda Pilot can be of great use. 

This vehicle can help you transport building materials like cement, wood, glass, concrete, gravel, and sand. 

Motorcycles: 

If you want to tow or transport a motorcycle, you can use the Honda Pilot. 

Before trying this, ensure the bike falls under the towing capacity of the Honda capacity. 

What is the Ground Clearance of the Honda Pilot?

If you travel out of state a lot or across rugged terrain, you need to ensure your vehicle has the proper ground clearance to navigate these environments. 

The Honda Pilot has a ground clearance of 7.3 inches. 

This height allows it to be able to drive even on bad roads. And not only that, but it also allows you to easily see obstacles on the road from a longer distance compared to much lower cars. 

What Safety Features Does the Honda Pilot have?

While having the power to tow up to 5000 pounds is essential in an SUV, safety is also as important. 

Luckily, the Honda Pilot has many safety features to keep you safe. If you’re driving long distances or towing to a destination, these features will help keep you safe:

  • Blindspot information system
  • Collision mitigation braking system
  • Intelligent Traction Management system
  • Multi-angle rearview camera
  • ACE boy struck
  • Lane keeping assist system
  • AWD capabilities. 
  • Cross-traffic monitor. 

Alternatives to Honda Pilot About Towing Capacity

While Honda Pilot can tow anything under 5000 lbs, you must consider other factors.

You have to think about the tongue weight of the cargo you are towing and whether you are loading your truck with heavy cargo and passengers.

While the cargo space of Honda Pilot is an advantage, you must consider the Payload and tongue weight restriction.

You must not exceed other limits like the Payload capacity, GVWR (total vehicle load restriction), and GCWR.

These restrictions make Honda Pilot a marginal towing vehicle for anything other than light loads and have nothing to do with engine capacity. 

That is why I recommend Toyota 4Runner with a V8 engine.

Conclusion

You can make the Honda Pilot your go-to vehicle for your getaways with friends and family. 

With a towing capacity of up to 5000 pounds, you can add other things like a camping trailer or gear, a speed boat, and other sports equipment along the journey. 

Not just thinking about your safety, the Honda Pilot also has safety features to keep everyone safe, even if you are up to 8 passengers.