What is the tongue weight of a Honda Pilot?
In brief, the Honda Pilot’s tongue weight is typically limited to about 500 pounds when towing up to the vehicle’s maximum recommended trailer weight of 5,000 pounds with the proper towing package and hitch.
Official towing specifications for the Honda Pilot
These figures come from Honda’s towing guidance and owner manuals for pilots configured for towing. They assume a correctly installed hitch and towing package.
- Maximum towing capacity: up to 5,000 pounds (about 2,268 kg) when properly equipped with the Honda towing package.
- Maximum tongue weight (hitch weight): up to 500 pounds (about 227 kg).
- Guideline for tongue weight: roughly 10% of the trailer’s gross weight for most loads; some heavier trailers may require 12–15% with the appropriate weight-distribution setup.
- Important caveat: Exact numbers can vary by model year, trim, and installed options. Always check your specific vehicle’s manual or Honda’s official towing guide.
These figures guide safe towing: exceeding tongue weight can affect handling and braking, while underloading can lead to trailer instability. The actual safe tongue weight depends on trailer design, load distribution, and the hitch configuration.
How to calculate tongue weight for your Honda Pilot
Use a practical, step-by-step approach to estimate tongue weight and then verify with a scale if possible. The steps below reflect common industry guidelines and Honda’s recommendations for proper weight distribution.
- Determine the trailer’s gross trailer weight (GTW) you plan to tow.
- Estimate tongue weight as 10% of GTW as a starting point; for well-balanced or heavier trailers, plan for 12–15% if you’re using a weight-distribution hitch and the trailer design supports it.
- Confirm your Pilot’s maximum tongue weight rating (commonly 500 pounds) and verify that your hitch and any weight-distribution gear are rated for at least that amount.
- Load the trailer in a typical configuration, then weigh the trailer tongue and the hitch using a scale or a professional weighing service to verify actual tongue weight.
- Adjust loads as needed to stay within the recommended tongue weight, and consider a weight-distribution hitch if you’re nearing the limit or dealing with a long, heavy trailer.
Note: The most precise measurement is the actual tongue weight with the trailer connected to the Pilot. Always distribute loads to maintain stability and maintain braking and steering performance.
Model-year and trim considerations
Variations by generation
While most modern Honda Pilot configurations share a general guideline of up to 5,000 pounds towing capacity and up to 500 pounds tongue weight, exact limits can vary slightly by model year, trim level, and the availability of a factory towing package. Always verify numbers for your specific vehicle in the owner’s manual or Honda’s official towing resources.
Summary
The tongue weight you should expect with a Honda Pilot is generally capped at about 500 pounds when towing up to 5,000 pounds with the proper equipment. Use the 10% rule as a starting point for estimating tongue weight, verify with scales when possible, and ensure your hitch, weight-distribution system, and trailer setup are all rated to handle the load safely. Always tailor your loading to your trailer’s design and your Pilot’s official specifications.
What is the tongue weight of a 2019 Honda Pilot?
Towing capacity: 3,500 lbs with 350-lb tongue weight*.
What is the weight capacity of the hitch on a Honda Pilot?
3,500-5,000 pounds
How Much Can the Pilot Tow? The towing capacity for the Honda Pilot is 3,500-5,000 pounds. For the Pilot, there isn't really a range for towing capability, it's simply two options. The 2-Wheel-Drive trim models have a capacity of 3,500 pounds, while the All-Wheel-Drive models' towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.
What is the hitch rating of the Honda Pilot 2025?
2025 Honda Pilot Towing Capacity: Built for Heavy-Duty Hauling. You can pull up to 3,500 pounds with 2WD. If you opt for the AWD version, you'll enjoy up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity.
What is the tongue weight of a 2015 Honda Pilot?
The 192 has a tongue weight of 440 lbs and the Pilot has a max tongue weight of 450.
