Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

[strokeoluck]

We have a 2008 Honda Pilot Ex-L (http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=4124
) that currently pulls a Bayliner 185. We're considering the purchase of a Yamaha AR210, which weighs about 4,350 # when full of gas. Between a couple anchors, a cooler and other "stuff" we store on the boat let's assume the whole shebang weighs 4,500 #. Here are the Yamaha specs: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/boat/products/modelspecs/235/0/specs.aspx ). We do not currently have a tranny cooler installed on the Pilot, but I plan on doing that this spring *if* we purchase the Yamaha.

We do all of our boating in the southwest suburbs of the Twin Cities. We rarely drive more than 10 miles to get to a boat ramp; then we boat and load 'er up and head right back home (well, maybe a stop at Dairy Queen on the way home!). We take the boat out an average of 6-8x/summer.

QUESTION TO THE GROUP: WOULD YOU TOW THIS YAMAHA BOAT WITH THE PILOT?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

Towing Capacity (lbs., 2WD / 4WD) 3500 / 4500**

Ayuh,... Your going to be Well Over the limits of that vehicle...

"let's assume the whole shebang weighs 4,500 #."

Let's be Realistic,... 5500lbs is much cloer to it....

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

Yes, with people and stuff in the vehicle the total weight being "towed" will probably be 5,500 #. So, would you do it? Seems pretty low risk to me.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

Seems pretty low risk to me.

Ayuh,... Up until that kid on a bycyle runs out in front of you....

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

Up until that kid on a bycyle runs out in front of you....

Roger, but do you think there is any significant risk to the tranny given the infrequent, short hops?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

QUESTION TO THE GROUP: WOULD YOU TOW THIS YAMAHA BOAT WITH THE PILOT?

NO.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

From the 2008 Trailer Life towing guide. Shows good for 4,500 lb with the tow package fitted. Means you are at the limit if you have the tow package fitted before you add any gear. If you do not have the tow package then you are not even close.
Don't do it is my opinion.

Honda
Vehicle Engine Tow Limit (LB)


Odyssey 3.5L V-6 3,500
Pilot 3.5L V-6 4,500 (t)
Ridgeline 3.5L V-6 5,000


t = Towing package required
x = Trailer brakes required

 

[JB]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

1. The vehicle cannot safely handle that much weight. Including the trailer (which you didn't) you would be pushing 6,000#.

2. I have driven in the area you drive. I would want the vehicle to be rated for at least 30% above the actual load. Worst Interstate traffic I have ever driven, including DFW at rush hour.

3. Don't worry about the transmission. It's a Honda. Worry about the lives of yourself and any passengers.

Short answer: No way.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

I would also assume that the boat will be full of fuel which the advertised weight does not include. 30 gallons adds another couple hundred pounds. As for stopping, the trailer required for that boat, and Minnesota trailer brake requirements says the trailer MUST have brakes. Regardless, that vehicle will be taxed severely and even with brakes (which will likely be surge style), they are reaction (surge) activated. With that amount of weight behind it, the Pilot may not have enough mass to allow the trailer brakes to fully activate in an emergency stop. Just presenting possible situations here so be very aware of what you are getting into. Remember also that most accidents happen well within the distance your are traveling from home. Being over weight also leaves you subject to the wrath of law enforcement, your insurance company, and the ambulance chasing attorneys.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

1. The vehicle cannot safely handle that much weight. Including the trailer (which you didn't) you would be pushing 6,000#.

The "dry weight" with trailer and fully loaded with gas was 4,350 #.

2. I have driven in the area you drive. I would want the vehicle to be rated for at least 30% above the actual load. Worst Interstate traffic I have ever driven, including DFW at rush hour.

We're in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area; and we're way out in the southwestern suburbs. We're on the far western edge of the burbs, and literally have cow pastures and farm land to the south and west of us. Doesn't mean something bad can't happen, but when we're out on the roads w/the boat traffic is very light.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts!

 

[wbc1957]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

Ayuh,... Your going to be Well Over the limits of that vehicle...

"let's assume the whole shebang weighs 4,500 #."

Let's be Realistic,... 5500lbs is much cloer to it....

So okay, he can do it if he continues to follow the logic of not following common or legal sense in his plans. He needs to throw out all the PFD's, anchors, flares, oars, first aid kit, and tool set. You then save a bunch of weight. Hey, does the other half really need to come along? Hey, it's more weight savings, and he says he's just going 10 miles!

 

[j_martin]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

You can pull the boat a short distance with a lawn mower. If yer going local, a few times a year, take it easy, and pay attention to trailer brakes, it probably won't either hurt the towcar or be especially unsafe.

Now rush hour traffic, long distance, high speeds, etc, would be downright immoral.

just my o2
John

 

[JB]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

If yer going local, a few times a year, take it easy, and pay attention to trailer brakes, it probably won't either hurt the towcar or be especially unsafe.

just my o2
John

I sure hope this is idle speculation, because if it is advice it is very, very bad advice.

A Honda might surprise with what abuse it can take, but that would not include trying to drive through another vehicle, a traffic light or an unscheduled off road excursion. It would be especially unsafe. . .putting lives at risk, and not all of them yours.

I lived just west of St. Boni for a few years. The rural roads west of Minnetonka were not bad 30 years ago, but do not limit yourself with the idea that it will make very bad decisions okay.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

I would definitely say it's a bad idea.

Get a larger tow vehicle or a smaller boat.

 

[Chris-R]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

I would not do it. Boat, plus trailer, plus gas, plus oil, plus gear, plus people in vehicle will put you overweight. I just went through this and instead of putting my life and the life of others at risk, I purchased a new tow vehicle that is rated well above the total weight of boat, trailer, etc. I feel much more at ease.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

I sometimes wonder why folks ask about this stuff because they seem to already have their mind made up. It appears that lack of judgement/research somehow justifies going ahead with the plan if they can get just one other person to agree with them. Seems to me that Honda has a specific set of tow requirements, as do most states. Exceeding those limits whether you tow 50 feet or 5000 miles on a public highway puts you and those who share the highway at risk. Again, the insurance company, your boat insurer if you have one, law enforcement and the ever present personal injury lawyers all have a vested interest in ones behavior. Will you get away with it if involved in an accident? Not if it involves me or any member of my family as I will own your stuff?

Just as an aside, I've seen Quakers move a small house with a couple teams of horses. Was it safe? Heck no but they got the job done! One of the horses fell in the process and today the owner would have been charged with animal crualty -- I would have seen to that.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

Short answer......Hitch it up and try a test run and see how it feels nobody but you understands what your needs are. If you feel the Honda is adequate and you can handle all the safety issues and use some common sense I think you will be OK. Every day I see construction trailers on the road that are way,way overloaded. If you have brakes on that trailer I would not give it a second thought. Your vehicle weight and tow capacity isn't that far off.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

I tow my Four Winns Horizon 200 with a 2007 Honda Pilot. Boat weighs 3200 lbs dry; trailer (with brakes) is about 700 lbs; with gas and gear I figure I'm near 4400 lb total. The tow limit for the vehicle is 4500 but this limit is without passengers. As you load the vehicle interior the tow limit decreases. Check your owner's manual.

Also note Honda will void your warranty if they discover you've been towing without the factory-mandated towing package which includes a transmission cooler and power steering cooler. I bought the two coolers online and installed them myself.

I've towed the boat >500 miles a few times without incident, including a few panic stops. Even if you're only towing 5 miles you can still have an accident due to insufficient braking.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

Every day I see construction trailers on the road that are way,way overloaded.

Just because you see overloaded construction trailers on the road without accidents doesn't make them safe; it just makes them lucky.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Can a 2008 Honda Pilot tow a 21' Yamaha?

a practical problem is that no matter how safely you drive, and how uncrowded and flat the roads, that one freak accident, and you have voided your insurance. You may as well have everything you own in the boat; that's what's riding on the chance you take.

10 miles isn't 10 blocks at 25 mph.