What Year Honda Pilot Can Tow 5,000 Lbs.?

Honda has for many years been the go-to vehicle brand for drivers who want an all-inclusive ride. 

Honda has remained steadfast for many years in the design and manufacture of vehicles that combine power, reliability, luxury, and most importantly fuel economy.

 The stylish lineup of Honda vehicles is appealing and comes equipped with state-of-the-art features that put Honda on top of the list. 

What Year Honda Pilot Can Tow 5,000 lbs.? 

The Honda Pilot models from the years 2016 – 2019 and 2020 – 2021 can tow up to 5,000 pounds, especially the all-wheel-drive (AWD). Although the two-wheel-drive (2WD) for the same year can only tow up to 3,500 pounds. 

Honda Pilot is one of the many powerful Honda SUVs that will make your summer camping and finish expedition worth remembering. 

Despite having ample carrying capacity in the trunk and the cabin, this SUV will still tag along with your small boat or a small camper of up to 5,000 lbs. with ease. 

The Honda vehicle models are designed to cater to all driving styles and lifestyles. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly SUV or a moderate sedan for your local commute, Honda has got you covered. 

If you are looking for a people and cargo hauler, that will accommodate eight passengers and is adventure-ready, the Honda Pilot SUV is an impressive choice to consider. 

The Honda Pilot combines comfort, premium amenities, power, and cutting-edge features to offer you a memorable ride.

 The new Honda Pilot strikes a good balance between sportiness and elegance that Honda Brand is known for. 

With enough power under the hood, the Pilot will take you anywhere without breaking a sweat. 

Honda Pilot is offered in seven trim levels, which include: 

• LX
• EX
• EX-L
• SE (Special Edition)
• Touring
• Elite
• Black Edition

This SUV comes packed with a powerful engine, which makes it a superior people and cargo hauler. 

The Honda Pilot towing capacity for the all-wheel-drive trim level is something that other SUVs of its class are envious of. 

The Pilot is a towing beast that is a cut above many other SUVs. This towing power makes the Honda Pilot model stand out from its peers. 

How Much Weight Can a Honda Pilot Tow? 

So, how much weight can a Honda Pilot two? This will depend on the drivetrain. 

A 2WD (9AT) will give you up to 3,500 lbs. when equipped correctly. While a Honda Pilot with the AWD has a towing weight capacity of 5,000 lbs. 

The Pilot comes standard with a 2WD and a smart variable Torque management system (i-VTM4) AWD system, which is an option for an all-trim level, but standard on the Elite and Black edition. 

The towing capacity is as follows:

• With the SWD, you can tow up to 3,500 pounds
• With the AWD, you can tow up to 5,000 pounds

Pop-up tent trailers, lightweight boats, utility trailers, some ATVs, or a small camper can all be towed by this Honda Pilot SUV. 

Increasing the maximum towing weight limit to 5,000 pounds allows for loads such as RVs, ski boats, and some horse trailers to be hauled easily. 

Therefore, when shopping for a Honda Pilot, you should be aware of the drivetrain if towing capacity is one of your primary considerations for buying the vehicle. 

Honda Pilot has been making headlines since its introduction back in 2003. 

Its stellar towing capacity has been the talk of the town that has attracted many to buy this SUV. 

How The Honda Pilot (AWD) Manages to Tow 5,000 pounds

Despite being smaller than many other SUVs, the Honda Pilot can tow almost the same weight as some of the popular trucks in the market. 

The Honda Pilot’s tow hitch, often referred to as the trailer hitch, is one of the key components that allows the Pilot to pull so much weight. 

Trailer hitch accessories are necessary for towing, particularly on the new Honda Pilot. 

Towing capability for the Honda Pilot AWD SUV models can be increased to up to 5,000 pounds by using this component.

 The assumption here is that the Pilot comes with an ATF cooler component installed. 

If you do a lot of towing, you should consider getting a package that will help you achieve this easily.

 A complete towing package will include: 

• Hitch Receiver for the trailer – this consists of ball mount receiver, retaining pin, and clip
• Hitch Harness – These are the seven-pin round-type connectors
• Hitch Locking Pin – for safety and security of the trailer
• Hitch Ball – usually 17– 18-inch

Honda Pilot Performance and Reliability

The Honda Pilot is a very dependable SUV that is designed to handle the harshest terrain. 

This SUV comes with very good off-road capabilities. 

The 3.5-liter 24 Valve SOHC i-VTEC V6 engine in the Honda produces up to 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque for all its trim levels. 

This is sufficient cruising power to propel this SUV and even pull along some extra cargo. This will give you quick takeoffs when towing your heavy camper in the city or interstate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is towing capacity? 

The towing capacity of a vehicle is the maximum amount of weight that your SUV can pull along. 

Some of the most commonly towed things include trailers, campers, ATVs and many other things. 

How is the towing capacity determined? 

There are several methods for determining your towing capacity. 

To calculate this weight, take your Honda Pilot’s towing capacity and deduct the vehicle’s curb weight from the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR). 

Where the GCVWR is the combined weight of your Honda Pilot SUV when loaded and any attached trailer. 

What makes the Honda Pilot tow so much weight? 

This SUV manages to tow 5,000 lbs. with ease because it is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280-hp and 262 lbs.-ft of torque. 

It is mated with a six- or an optional nine-speed automatic transmission that gives it a smooth, quiet, and easy to handle driving experience.

The Honda Pilot is an excellent SUV for your daily commute, thanks to its ride and excellent fuel economy.

 You receive plenty of power for city or highway travel, as well as the ability to easily merge or change lanes. 

What is the Towing Capacity of the 2020 Honda Pilot? 

When properly outfitted, the towing capacity of the 2020 Honda Pilot can reach up to 5,000 lbs., making it a perfect vehicle for people looking for both eight-passenger seats as a standard and remarkable capability. 

How Heavy is the Honda Pilot? 

The Honda Pilot has a curb weight of between 3,982 – 4,321 pounds. This will vary from one trim level to another. 

The base 2WD Honda Pilot trim level has a curb weight of 3,982 pounds. 

The EX AWD trim weighs 4,176 pounds, while the special Edition All-Wheel-Drive trim weighs 4,255 pounds. The Black Edition AWD trim weighs 4,321 pounds, which is the heaviest of the trim options. 

What is the Honda Pilot’s ground clearance? 

The Honda Pilot has a ground clearance of 7.3 inches. 

Drivers in the Pilot will be able to see possible oncoming traffic issues for a far greater distance than those of sedans and other compact SUVs, thanks to the design of the Pilot. 

What kind of things can the Honda Pilot tow? 

If you intend to use your Honda Pilot (2016 – 2021) as a tow vehicle, you should consider the optional tow package. 

A trailer hitch receiver, hitch harness, locking pin, and the hitch ball. 

With everything properly fixed, you should be able to tow almost anything that doesn’t exceed 5,000 pounds for the AWD trims. 

This SUV can tow small RV campers, boats, ATV, pop-up campers, teardrop campers, and many more. 

Conclusion

Whether you’re an adventurous person or just an occasional camper, the Honda Pilot will give you a taste of both worlds. 

Inside, it comes with prestigious styling that accentuates its luxurious ambiance. 

At the same time, underneath the hood, it packs a powerful engine that offers a great deal of towing capacity to make your camping and fishing expedition stress-free. 

If you are looking to buy a Honda Pilot model that will be comfortable to tow up to 5,000 pounds, consider those released from the year 2016 – 2019 and the new 2020 – 2021 models. 

Also, remember that only the models with an AWD drivetrain will be able to tow that much weight. 

While the Honda Pilot SUV can easily tow your stuff along, it is important to observe the ratings.

 You should not exceed 5,000 pounds for the AWD trim level. 

The 5,000 pounds towing capacity is excellent, but it cannot be compared to its even potent V8 rivals. 

herefore, choose your loads carefully.

 However, the Honda Pilot remains a Jack of all trades for all your towing and hauling requirements, whether you’re carrying your family or pulling along loads of cargo.

 It is for this reason that the Honda Pilot has remained one of the most popular SUVs in the market for over two decades standing.