Towing Equipment And Accessories; Hitch; Automatic Transmission Fluid Cooler (2Wd Models); Trailer Brakes - Honda 2012 Pilot Owner's Manual

Towing a Trailer
Towing Equipment and
Accessories
Towing generally requires a variety
of supplemental equipment. To
ensure the best quality, we
recommend that you purchase
Honda equipment whenever possible.
Your dealer offers trailer packages
that include a ball mount, hitch plug,
and hitch pin. A wiring harness kit is
also available from your dealer.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and follow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets federal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.

Hitch

Read the trailer manufacturer's
instructions, and select the
appropriate draw bar for the height
of the trailer you will be towing.
544
Weight Distributing Hitch
A weight distributing hitch is not
recommended for use with your
vehicle, as an improperly adjusted
weight distributing hitch may reduce
handling, stability, and braking
performance.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Cooler (2WD models)
2WD models are not equipped with a
transmission fluid cooler, and have
reduced towing capacities. See the
Trailer Weight and Tongue Load
Limits table on page 540
maximum towing capacities. An
optional automatic transmission fluid
cooler kit is available if you plan to
tow weight above the limits. Contact
a dealer for additional information.

Trailer Brakes

Honda recommends that any trailer
with a total trailer weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more has its own brakes.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common for boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle's hydraulic system. No
for matter how successful it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle's hydraulic system
will lower braking effectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
See your trailer dealer or rental
agency for more information on
installing electric brakes.