JTKR23
MA
New Member
Joined: 11/14/2023
View Profile
 Offline
|
I’m considering purchasing a Honda Pilot or similar SUV with ~5,000 lbs towing capacity. I’d like to purchase either a pop up or small travel trailer.
What’s the maximum UVW and GVWR you would consider for a Honda Pilot, or comparable tow vehicle (Nissan Pathfinder, Kia Telluride etc)? Does anyone have experience with this, or have any tips and tricks to look out for when RV hunting? I grew up camping in my parents’ Travel Trailer and LOVED it, but I’d be a first time trailer owner myself, so I’m new to this. Ideally I’d like to stick with a small SUV, but at the end of the day I suppose I’d consider a truck instead. Any help would be appreciated!
|
JRscooby
Indepmo
Senior Member
Joined: 06/10/2019
View Profile
Offline
|
First welcome.
When shopping for SUV, for TV, (or even trucks for that matter) be sure you pay attention to the *when properly equipped small print. Some Pilots might have rating of 5000, not sure all are. You should check VIN before you lay money down.
|
MFL
Midwest
Senior Member
Joined: 11/28/2012
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Welcome to the forum!
If you already owned the Pilot or similar, it would likely work for a trailer you are describing.
Since you are thinking of purchasing a vehicle, a 1/2 ton truck would be a much better choice. It would open up your trailer choices, not forcing you to pass on one, that might be just a bit much for the SUVs.
Jerry
.jpg)
|
JTKR23
MA
New Member
Joined: 11/14/2023
View Profile
Offline
|
MFL wrote:Welcome to the forum!
If you already owned the Pilot or similar, it would likely work for a trailer you are describing.
Since you are thinking of purchasing a vehicle, a 1/2 ton truck would be a much better choice. It would open up your trailer choices, not forcing you to pass on one, that might be just a bit much for the SUVs.
Jerry
Thanks Jerry, happy to be here! This is great advice.
Some models I looked at online included:
Pop up: Forest River Rockwood Freedom Series 1640LTD, which has a dry weight of 1,465 lbs and GVWR of 2,258. I figured a Pilot or similar could easily handle this (or a slightly larger pop up, this is just one I happened to like).
Travel Trailer: Forest River Aurora 16BHX. Dry weight of 2,969 lbs and GVWR of 4,396. I think this would be cutting it a bit closer, but I still think it would be doable?
And yes, perhaps a pick up would be better, but I’d like to stick with an SUV if possible. I just like them better (and would probably be a bit more affordable). But, I’m open to a truck, I’m still in the early phases of researching everything.
|
valhalla360
No paticular place.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Problem is most of your small SUVs are no longer sturdy body on frame designs that are well suited to towing.
The "tow rating" is mostly about how much pull can be generated without overheating the engine. Very often the "tow rating" is not the limiting factor in what you can tow:
- Maximum Hitch Weight: Online the honda appears to be 500lb. Assuming you run with a safe 15% of the trailer weight, that back calculates a trailer GVWR of around 3300lb. This is often limited on unibody vehicles as the "frame" is just sheet metal folded over a few times rather than solid metal beams.
- There is also the payload. I couldn't find it quickly online but if you check the drivers door there should be a yellow sticker that shows it for your specific truck (it will vary based on the options you choose). So if you have the max 500lb hitch weight and it comes with a 1400lb payload, that leaves 900lb for passengers, gear in the truck (coolers, firewood, etc....) and anything aftermarket like running boards that you add. A family of 4 with 2 strapping teenage boys can easily weigh 800lb, so it wouldn't take much to push you over the limit.
If you are really wanting an SUV and want to go beyond a popup or a tiny travel trailer, I would be looking at something like a suburban or expedition but even there check the payload ratings, many are spec'd for comfort and sacrifice payload.
Unless you need more than 4-5 passenger seats, the 1/2 ton pickups give plenty of interior room and are quite comfortable. Even if you go to a 1/2ton pickup, watch the payload numbers. While the max hitch weight will be much better, the payload on some isn't much better than the SUVs.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
|
|
|
Bumpyroad
Virginia
Senior Member
Joined: 12/01/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
JRscooby wrote:First welcome.
When shopping for SUV, for TV, (or even trucks for that matter) be sure you pay attention to the *when properly equipped small print. Some Pilots might have rating of 5000, not sure all are. You should check VIN before you lay money down.
years ack when I was looking at a Pilot, the 5000 lb rating was for towing a boat. a TT lowered that to 3500 IIRC
bumpy
|
Cybergrunt
Iowa
Senior Member
Joined: 09/05/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
It's certainly not a rule, but not exceeding the 80% mark on tow rating has been a rule of thumb many have observed for years. If for no other reason, consider the peace of mind for the sake of safety and not spending your road time in white knuckle mode by knowing you have some legit margin.
2021 Forest River Wildwood Heritage Glen 24RLHL
810-825# TW, 5900# UVW, ~7500# GVW (loaded), 30', Tymate TPMS
2020 F-250 XLT Super Duty FX4
SRW, cew cab, std bed
7.3 V8 gasser, 3.55, 10spd, 160" WB
USMC (Ret.) - SEMPER FI!
|
RAS43
Littleton,CO
Senior Member
Joined: 03/23/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Bumpyroad wrote:JRscooby wrote:First welcome.
When shopping for SUV, for TV, (or even trucks for that matter) be sure you pay attention to the *when properly equipped small print. Some Pilots might have rating of 5000, not sure all are. You should check VIN before you lay money down.
years ack when I was looking at a Pilot, the 5000 lb rating was for towing a boat. a TT lowered that to 3500 IIRC
bumpy
We have a 2017 Pilot and the tow rating is 5000lbs w/o restrictions.
|
APT
SE Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 06/09/2010
View Profile
|
For a Pop-up - pick any of your favorite brand mid-sized SUVs or even a minivan. For a small TT, the same can work, but I recommend staying under 3500 pounds dry. I also recommend a vehicle with forced induction (turbo 4 or turbo 6)
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)
|
|
