Hey Scotty, I have a 2014 Honda Pilot and my wife and I are looking at a new travel trailer with a dry gross weight of 3090 lbs. From what I have seen the vehicle should be able to tow about 5,000 lbs. What are your thoughts and should we be thinking of adding an additional fan up front to make sure everything stays cool in the engine. Thanks,
Chip Bott
Salem, MA
Better double check exactly the tow rating of your pilot. From a quick check, I see that the 2wd versions only can tow 2000, kinda low, but the 4wd can do 4500.
Consider that the dry weight of the trailer is almost never what is actually weighs. It is likely much heavier on an average day.
Do you have a brake controller?
An additional fan might not hurt, but a trans cooler would certainly help, if it does not have an external one.
Keep in mind that just because a vehicle can tow something, doesn't mean it is a good idea. Towing something on the heavy side of your rating can not only kill your transmission or other parts of your car, but it can be dangerous.
Not trying to scare you, if it is rated for #4500, you could do it, but I would suggest carefully. Make sure you got a good brake controller and know how to use it, and the trailer has brakes.
