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Old 09-02-2019, 12:24 AM   #1
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Question Anyone tow their Escape 21 with a Honda Pilot?

We are planning to purchase an Escape 21, but really don't want to have to also purchase a pick-up truck to tow it. Does anyone currently tow their Escape 21 with a Honda Pilot (or similar mid-sized SUV)? The Honda Pilot has a maximum tow capacity of 5,000 lbs. with a maximum hitch weight of 500 lbs.

As we live in British Columbia, we want to know if this vehicle is sufficient, and can make it over the Rockies if we want to do a cross-Canada trip.

Thanks!
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Old 09-02-2019, 12:40 AM   #2
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Under the search bar you can put in “Honda Pilot” in the lower “Search Site / Google” box. You may get some helpful threads like this one

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f1...9-a-13222.html
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Old 09-02-2019, 08:26 AM   #3
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I have a classic E-21 which is several hundred pounds lighter than the newer E-21's. Mine weighs 4100 lbs. empty total, and the tongue weight is 500lbs. With your numbers you may be pushing the limit.
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Old 09-02-2019, 09:16 AM   #4
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My 2014 E21 weighed 4300# with 500# tongue weight, packed for 2 weeks, weighed on return from Osoyoos in 2015.
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Old 09-02-2019, 02:43 PM   #5
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At the risk of starting an argument. You need a rear wheel drive based vehicle with a frame. By the time you load the trailer, add bikes and maybe a canoe or kayak you will be unhappy with a front drive unibody vehicle towing a 21. You might as well start with the correct vehicle rather than trading up later.

YMMV

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Old 09-02-2019, 03:13 PM   #6
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While it is possible to keep a 2nd generation 21 under 500 pounds of hitch weight, it will require some planning. When I headed out on a 8 month trip, my 2017 21 weighed in at 4800/500 pounds. By the end of the trip it was 5020/580 pounds. After unloading all thee junk picked up during the trip, I was down to 4700/500. I do have many options, including dual solar panels.

As to whether you will be happy with the Pilot depends on your expectations, and where you travel. I towed my 21 for the first year with a 2016 Tacoma (with the 3.5 engine). While it worked, and was within the tow limits (but the truck was 150 pounds over payload) I was not comfortable with the performance. Too much time at 4000 RPM, 10 - 11MPG, etc. I don't know what the gearing is in the Pilot, but if you do lots of hills & mountains I suspect it will work hard.

I loved the truck and really didn't want to let it go, but I now tow with a 2018 F 150 3.5 EcoBoost. A big improvement both in performance as well as 13 MPG (21 highway unhitched). If you go with a F 150, get the towing mirrors as well as the 36 gallon fuel tank. Lets you choose where to fill up rather than stopping every 150 - 200 miles.
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Old 09-02-2019, 04:50 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian Explorers View Post
We are planning to purchase an Escape 21, but really don't want to have to also purchase a pick-up truck to tow it. Does anyone currently tow their Escape 21 with a Honda Pilot (or similar mid-sized SUV)? The Honda Pilot has a maximum tow capacity of 5,000 lbs. with a maximum hitch weight of 500 lbs.

As we live in British Columbia, we want to know if this vehicle is sufficient, and can make it over the Rockies if we want to do a cross-Canada trip.

Thanks!
I just remembered a video that helped us when we were looking to match our TV with the Escape 21. Previously, like Vermilye, we too, towed a trailer that was right at our tow limit and it was nerve-racking at times, especially in the mountains. It was 'do-able' but don't care to do that again. Was able to find the video again...hope this helps! -Bea
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Old 09-02-2019, 05:04 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian Explorers View Post
We are planning to purchase an Escape 21, but really don't want to have to also purchase a pick-up truck to tow it. Does anyone currently tow their Escape 21 with a Honda Pilot (or similar mid-sized SUV)? The Honda Pilot has a maximum tow capacity of 5,000 lbs. with a maximum hitch weight of 500 lbs.

As we live in British Columbia, we want to know if this vehicle is sufficient, and can make it over the Rockies if we want to do a cross-Canada trip.

Thanks!
We have a Honda Ridgeline which is mechanically identical to the Pilot, and previously towed a 21' pontoon boat with a 115 HP outboard which weighed 3500-4000 lbs (depending on how much fuel it had) including trailer.

I found the truck worked very hard going up the steepest inclines of Highway 400 in Ontario, so I can't imagine how much of a beating it would take going through the mountains. More importantly, when towing at the limits of the vehicle's towing capacity, how safe is it going down hill? Even with tow/haul engaged, you run the risk of overheating and potentially destroying your brakes on long declines.

I love my Ridgeline (we've had three), but I would not recommended towing a E21 with it.
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Old 09-02-2019, 06:08 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkirk View Post
At the risk of starting an argument. You need a rear wheel drive based vehicle with a frame. By the time you load the trailer, add bikes and maybe a canoe or kayak you will be unhappy with a front drive unibody vehicle towing a 21. You might as well start with the correct vehicle rather than trading up later.

YMMV

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Old 09-02-2019, 06:30 PM   #10
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Old 09-02-2019, 07:37 PM   #11
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I tow a "classic" Escape 21 with a 2014 Highlander. The Highlander has similar numbers to those you quoted for the pilot. 5000 lbs towing capacity and 500 lb tongue weight limit. Since we got the trailer in 2014, we have been through much of the eastern and western US, as well as across the wide prairies into 50 mph headwinds.

So far, I have been pleased with my towing experience. We get about 14.5 mpg when towing at 55-65 mph. We have been over many mountain passes, and I have never felt that the power of the Highlander was preventing me from going as fast as I want to go. More importantly, I have always felt that the braking power of the engine was enough to keep me well within the margin of safety when going down long inclines.

A lot of this depends upon your expectations. There is no doubt that the Highlander doesn't accelerate as rapidly when pulling the trailer as it does when it is unloaded. But this hasn't been a problem for me, even when going through L.A. at 4:00 PM. Truth be told, I was surprised at how polite the L.A. drivers were, but maybe it was the Minnesota license plates.

There are several folks who tow 21s, with tow vehicles that have a tow limit of 5000 lbs. My best advice is to use the Google search feature and see if you can find others who are towing with a Pilot and get the benefit of their experience.
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Old 09-02-2019, 08:07 PM   #12
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Hi Leon,
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Old 09-02-2019, 09:34 PM   #13
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If your going to be towing long distance and expect lots of hills or mountain passes, stay less than 50% of capacity. Towing is very hard on a vehicle. Also take into consideration elevation. Roughly you lose 30% HP at 8000 feet give or take.

I used a 4RUNNER to tow a 17B. I have sold the trailer and am looking for a 19’. We just bought a new Tundra to tow the bigger trailer.
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Old 09-02-2019, 11:50 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian Explorers View Post
We are planning to purchase an Escape 21, but really don't want to have to also purchase a pick-up truck to tow it. Does anyone currently tow their Escape 21 with a Honda Pilot (or similar mid-sized SUV)? The Honda Pilot has a maximum tow capacity of 5,000 lbs. with a maximum hitch weight of 500 lbs.

As we live in British Columbia, we want to know if this vehicle is sufficient, and can make it over the Rockies if we want to do a cross-Canada trip.

Thanks!
We towed our 2014 E21 with a 6-cylinder 2011 4Runner for exactly one trip, from Chilliwack to the Rockies and beyond, then got a 2012 Toyota Tundra with the 5.7L V-8 engine. The 4Runner's towing capabilities would be comparable to those of a Pilot.

The 4Runner had to be in third gear at high revs for long periods on the 6% to 10% grades in the southern BC mountains, the Rockies, and in Glacier NP in Montana, which left no reserve power. This is challenging to the transmission as well as the engine, not to mention the driver, whose attention must remain riveted to the road and the tachometer, and to thoughts about how hot the transmission fluid is getting.

Five years later the Tundra still pulls the E21 effortlessly, and we're glad we made the switch. If you prefer an SUV, the Toyota Sequoia's drive train, chassis, and towing capabilities are similar to the Tundra's. And of course there are several other options with the necessary torque and wheelbase to pull an E21 without strain.
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Old 09-03-2019, 11:36 AM   #15
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I've been considering going SUV for our next tow vehicle. Right now, its come down to two choices, the Sequoia and the Lexus GX460. The Lexus is a little smaller, still has good tow rating of 6,500 pounds and has the 4.6V8 (Sequoia has up to 7,400 pound tow rating). The Sequoia can be had with the 5.7V8, like the Tundra, and is on the porky side. Sequoia is 205 inches in length, GX460 is 192 inches in length. My F150 is 232 inches in length. So I would save 3 1/2 feet with the GX.

The F150 tows nice for sure, but the added length is a PITA.
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Old 09-03-2019, 11:41 AM   #16
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I would have liked to have gotten a GX460, but the insistence on premium gas and the fact that the rear hatch is hinged on the side discouraged me. Especially the rear hatch.
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Old 09-03-2019, 11:54 AM   #17
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Old 09-03-2019, 02:33 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkirk View Post
At the risk of starting an argument. You need a rear wheel drive based vehicle with a frame. By the time you load the trailer, add bikes and maybe a canoe or kayak you will be unhappy with a front drive unibody vehicle towing a 21. You might as well start with the correct vehicle rather than trading up later.

YMMV

Dave

I agree. a FWD-centric (even if 'awd') unibody crossover/minivan thing would probably be adequate for towing a scamp or casita, but in no way would I consider pulling a 4000+ Escape 21 with such.

but many people are convinced that they can tow with whatever thing they have or want, that its pointless.
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Old 09-03-2019, 02:46 PM   #19
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I've been considering going SUV for our next tow vehicle. Right now, its come down to two choices, the Sequoia and the Lexus GX460. The Lexus is a little smaller, still has good tow rating of 6,500 pounds and has the 4.6V8 (Sequoia has up to 7,400 pound tow rating). The Sequoia can be had with the 5.7V8, like the Tundra, and is on the porky side. Sequoia is 205 inches in length, GX460 is 192 inches in length. My F150 is 232 inches in length. So I would save 3 1/2 feet with the GX.

The F150 tows nice for sure, but the added length is a PITA.
Hey NCBill, If you are looking for a SUV like the Sequoia and GX460, you may want to also compare them to a Ford Expedition SUV? Expeditions are rated to tow 6000 lbs - Add the HD tow package?... 9,200 lbs. New Expeditions come in 2 lengths: 210 in and 222 in (EL). Our 2017 Expedition is 206 in. long (much like the Sequoia, and same in width but not as 'porky' ) In comparison, the GX460 is considerably narrower, 74.2 in width; the Expedition is 80 in width. The smaller the TV, the bigger size and need for tow mirrors. Just food for thought! Happy hunting! -Bea
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Old 09-04-2019, 12:11 AM   #20
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Thanks - good information. One of our main issues is that we live a in townhouse and our vehicle must fit in our driveway or garage. (No roadside parking.) So we are limited by the length of the vehicle. All the pick-ups are enormous!
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