Towing - Honda Pilot

The guy that bought my 78 tows it with a Pilot. He lives around the corner and has related a few problems with towability, but everyone drives differently. For me, I have a 3/4 ton Suburban (diesel off course!) for the 96 sport and dual axle trailer. I had this truck since new and it will run forever. I thought I needed a shiney new truck so I bought a GMC Z71 last year. Tons of power! Pulls great, but the Sub is so much smoother and solid on long trips. I sold the new truck after about a year and went back to the sub. If you plan on towing much, out-weighing your load is a good thing!

plbc quinner 87 bfn i 120% agree with most of your posts! i read this and being a union sheet metal worker this foreign car crap irks me to no end! why buy foreign when you can buy american, which the prifits and taxes stay here(quinner?)
look at any foreign truck, compare gvw payload etc and nothing will touch an american truck! i loved the comment about the american flag stickers on foreign cars..one word dumb$$.if it wasn't for unions scabs would not make what the make! miller is union workers still..ford super duty trucks are the best imo also..m3 loved the link to the miller article.

I think old 4X4s are like old Correct Crafts; they hold their value very well inspite of age.
By the way, I look for the Union Label -- and buy the one next to it!

no problem PLBC I said anyone, anytime. My email is shown now. don't know why it wasn't before.

thanks for the info M3fan have to get a hold of the union rep and find a new beer to be served. Most likely have to switch to bud, not union made but better then foreign owned. Don't tell me they sold out to

87BFN owner wrote: M3fan I believe you ar ewrong about miller being foreign owned I believe as miller lite is the only union made beer. If it were not union made it would not be served at our UAW sponsored events.

Miller Sold

I agree on the Ridgeline- I think it looks hideous.

the reason foreign cars have a higher resale is because to many people are willing to over pay for a used car.

A car is a mechanical machine it's hole purpose in life is to destroy itself. A car with 70,000 miles on it needs brakes, tires, shocks, and fron end work. No matter what brand. A foreign car also will cost you more to replace these parts then a domestic car. So tell me who the smart one is a guy buying a used taurus with 70k for $8,000. or a guy buying a camry with 70k for $12,000. they both need the same parts replaced at the same intervals. Especially in michigan. Not mention everyone says foreign cars last longer, if this is true why buy new every 2-4 years. When you can buy a big ford or chevy and keep it for 10 years or more.

perfect example 1979 F-250 4X4 rust free, bet you can't find one for under $10,000. resale on that truck is more then it was new. Find me an import with that kind of resale value. More importantly find me a 27 year old jap car you would want to own.

interesting article on unreliable luxury cars

artical

Ken

M3Fan wrote: bkhallpa$$ wrote: New United Motors in Fremont, CA. Toyota and GM I believe. Make a car which is badged by both. Also make small Toyota pickups a the plant. This was a rennovated Ford plant which shut down in the 70s. BKH That would be the Vibe/Matrix. Completely lame car designed 100% by a marketing team, but interesting brand collaboration. Nice high-revving 4 banger from the Celica though.

It was once the Toyota Corolla and it's American branded equivalent (whatever that was). A very popular selling car. I knew the line had been retooled, but didn't know what the line was. I a$$ume you are correct about the vibe/matrix. BKH

66Skylark wrote: In my case… I’ll be towing 1 mile to the ramp and 1 mile back…

If that is the situation,
Why not buy an old beater p/u with a solid engine for a few grand.....and get whatever you want for a daily driver?

That's what I did,ended up buying an '86 silverado,it costs nothing to insure, and it really comes in handy for all kinds of projects.....then I got an Infiniti G35 Coupe to haul a$$ around town in.   

M3Fan,
The Honda Odyssey and Isuzu Oasis were the same… The two companies had an agreement to build the cars for each other. At the time, Honda built the Oasis for Isuzu because Isuzu didn’t have a mini-van and Isuzu built the Pa$$port for Honda because Honda didn’t have an SUV…

Feelgood,
I don’t think Tim ever suggested he tows his boat with the Maxima. He simply stated he enjoys owning a car he doesn’t have to continuously sink money into.

MY70/81
And I’m sure if Tim had a 5th wheel in Colorado he’d purchase something that could handle the load. And I think Tim would agree that there isn’t currently anything the imports offer that could measure up to an American HD pick-up or full-size SUV.

I couldn’t agree more with you guys… If I had the money and bought a new 236 or 210 I’d NEVER try to pull it with anything but a HD pick up or big SUV. Like I said, the imports just don’t have anything to measure up to what the domestic manufacturers offer in that cla$$ of vehicle.

Again, I think one’s decision on a tow vehicle has to be weighed against their needs.


Rob,

It was actually Boating Life… I found it yesterday, but forgot to bring it with me today so I can’t tell you what issue. It isn’t that old though and may still be on the stands. I’ll remember it next time I’m online…

Honda’s website lists the weight of the 4WD Pilot EX at 4497. With the transmission and power steering coolers it is rated to tow 4500 lbs.

You said your boat and trailer figured around 4Klbs… While you are within the towing capacity, you might not want to strain the engine and transmission if you’re going to be doing a lot of towing.

Towing 4000lbs with a Pilot, to me, is cutting things too close. And if you’re going to have your family in the car you might want the added security and stability of a bigger vehicle. Maybe the Pilot isn’t the right vehicle for you.

If you have an ‘in’ at the dealer and want to go Honda try the Ridgeline. I originally looked at that, but the dealer got me in the Pilot for less money than a Ridgeline.

In my case…
I’ll be towing 1 mile to the ramp and 1 mile back…

Given the weight of the 66 and trailer, I knew I wouldn’t be towing too much weight too often so I didn’t need a heavy-duty truck or full-size SUV.

Knowing I’d be looking for a 176 in the future, I checked the weight of the 176 and added a reasonable amount for the trailer and fuel and I’m around the 3,000 lb mark. Well within the 4,500 lb towing capacity of the Pilot.

If I were towing more weight or towing hundreds of miles every weekend I’d have absolutely looked for something beefier, but for my needs the Pilot will work for me.

I have to see if I can get my hands on a copy of the picture and post it... My boss used to tow his 21 foot Sunbird with an Isuzu Samurai. Now THAT was crazy!!!

New United Motors in Fremont, CA. Toyota and GM I believe. Make a car which is badged by both. Also make small Toyota pickups a the plant. This was a rennovated Ford plant which shut down in the 70s. BKH

There's the S10/Hombre? (I know it's Isuzu)

MY70/81 wrote: What is your Nissan Titan, or Toyota Tundra going to do when it is hooked up to a 12,000 lb 5th wheel and located in Colorado? I think that most of it's light duty drivetrain components will be scattered along the highway.

Excellent point. I agree that there is nothing currently offered to compete with the heavy duty American trucks. Id love to own one, but it just doesnt fit my needs. Supposedly the new Tundra will offer a heavy duty lineup- we shall see.

Feelgood, I appreciate the offer. Towing duty is currently handled by an '01 Pathfinder. It may not have the power of a 1 ton diesel, but it handles some pretty nasty ramps and driveways just fine. It also got nearly 15 mpg coming back 950 miles from Chicago, which isnt too shabby.