| CHADC880 |
So I went and bought a 2004 Pilot EX this weekend and love it to death. However I have a Jetski, Bike rack, and motorcycle trailer. They don't weigh much at all. Called the parts department and they said I really should installed the trans cooler and power steering cooler when I buy the hitch ????
I do not plan to tow anything weighing more than 1500lbs tops. Do I need to do this or not ??
I need a class III style receiver for my toys.
:2: |
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| CHADC880 |
| Sorry I have already read the owners manual but that still doesnt answer my question. It basiclly is assuming I plan to tow 4500lbs with my pilot when I am not. |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by CHADC880
Sorry I have already read the owners manual but that still doesnt answer my question. It basiclly is assuming I plan to tow 4500lbs with my pilot when I am not.
I think you need the coolers to tow at all.
Some feel that that you can tow 1000lb or 1500lb without.
There was a writen tow limit without coolers for teh MDX and Odyssey eily on, but Honda has recinded that recommendation, so I am not sure why anyone would push the issue. |
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| dragoncoach |
| With the issues of transmission failure, Honda probably thought it was prudent to just recommend that any towing done with a Pilot should require the coolers be installed. Besides, one can never be too cautious in protecting their $30K + vehicle. Just a thought. |
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| john802 |
quote:
Originally posted by CHADC880
Sorry I have already read the owners manual but that still doesnt answer my question. It basiclly is assuming I plan to tow 4500lbs with my pilot when I am not.
Once you have a towing hitch with a wiring kit, Honda can assumed that you can tow up to the maximum towing limit. It is going to be your burden to prove to Honda that you are just towing below the 1500 lbs towing capacity if something goes wrong with your Pilot's tranny. If I were you, just install the coolers for your protection.
-john |
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| PNW-Pilot |
AS somebody else stated, they used to say under 1000lbs no coolers. Not sure Honda wouldn't take the tow no matter what wieght and have to have coolers path, but it would interesting if they started this before they annouced the recall, it makes you wonder how long they new, before going public.
I know cost is an issue, but i think your better off getting the coolers, but i'm sure it can handle it without, as i know people use a normal car to tow what you are, and they don't need coolers.
It's your choice, let us know what you decide. |
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| zzyyzx |
The coolers are about $250 more than the hitch/harness when you buy the tow package (check our sponsor, Hondacuraworld , or HandA-Accessories ) and they seem to be very close in pricing week to week.
I'd never removed a bumper before and the coolers only took about 2 - 3 hours with my phobia about removing the bumper. The install itself only took about an hour for both, just getting that bumper off took forever.
Well worth the extra money to protect the Pilot. |
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| SiHawk |
My dealer matched HandA-accessories pricing for the coolers/trailer towing package.
I installed the hitch and wiring harness myself; the dealership installed the transmission and powersteering coolers for $80, which I thought was well worth the cost. |
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| sski |
| I though I read somewhere that part of the tranny recall was to install the cooler because Honda knows there is a cooling probem with 2nd gear ?? |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by sski
I though I read somewhere that part of the tranny recall was to install the cooler because Honda knows there is a cooling probem with 2nd gear ??
You read wrong.
The fix is to install a kit that sprays ATF right onto the gear. |
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| dragoncoach |
quote:
Originally posted by N_Jay
You read wrong.
The fix is to install a kit that sprays ATF right onto the gear.
So if this is correct, the problem is heat caused by lack of lubrication? If so, then a tranny cooler may not do the trick... any thoughts? |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by dragoncoach
So if this is correct, the problem is heat caused by lack of lubrication? If so, then a tranny cooler may not do the trick... any thoughts?
Not do what trick?
Lower the overall temp of the ATF? It does that trick just fine.
Lower the local temp of a gear that is not getting enough fluid? Nope, that would take a fix other than a cooler.
Two very different issues, two very different fixes. |
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| colorider |
quote:
Originally posted by N_Jay
I think you need the coolers to tow at all.
Some feel that that you can tow 1000lb or 1500lb without.
There was a writen tow limit without coolers for teh MDX and Odyssey eily on, but Honda has recinded that recommendation, so I am not sure why anyone would push the issue.
Since the Honda website continues to indicate a Standard Tow Capacity of 1000# in their "Competitive Comparison", it seems to me that someone at Honda supports the belief that the Pilot can safely tow 1000# without the optional coolers.
:) |
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| booger |
I'm sure this has been beat like a dead horse on this site, but I haven't seen it because I don't have a hitch and would never use the Pilot for towing so usually don't read those threads.
Why on earth would you need a power steering cooler? |
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| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by booger
I'm sure this has been beat like a dead horse on this site, but I haven't seen it because I don't have a hitch and would never use the Pilot for towing so usually don't read those threads.
Why on earth would you need a power steering cooler?
Ever tried to parallel park while towing a trailer. That power steering pump gets a real workout.:4: |
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| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by jay
Ever tried to parallel park while towing a trailer. That power steering pump gets a real workout.:4:
Heck, even backing down a boat ramp in what appears to be a straight shot could put a load on the power steering, especially if I'm driving.:p |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by booger
I'm sure this has been beat like a dead horse on this site, but I haven't seen it because I don't have a hitch and would never use the Pilot for towing so usually don't read those threads.
Why on earth would you need a power steering cooler?
Honda's answer is "Due to higher underhood temperatures".
You can guess, or you can argue.
Either way, I doubt they were guessing when they designed the kit. |
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| booger |
quote:
Originally posted by N_Jay
Honda's answer is "Due to higher underhood temperatures".
You can guess, or you can argue.
Either way, I doubt they were guessing when they designed the kit.
Sounds like they were guessing when they designed the power steering unit in the first place :p .
Probably just used an existing one to save money and found that it was to wimpy to handle the stress that poor drivers put on it.
I think you should have to take a test before being allowed to pull a trailer after watching a clown at the lumber yard the other day. |
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| N_Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by booger
Sounds like they were guessing when they designed the power steering unit in the first place :p .
Probably just used an existing one to save money and found that it was to wimpy to handle the stress that poor drivers put on it.
I think you should have to take a test before being allowed to pull a trailer after watching a clown at the lumber yard the other day.
You are still guessing that it is the short term heat load cause by low speed manuvering.
I am going with my interpretation of what Honda said and believing it is the long term heat load due to higher underhood temps when towing.
We both could be right or either one of us coule be wrong. :2: :2: |
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| booger |
quote:
Originally posted by N_Jay
You are still guessing that it is the short term heat load cause by low speed manuvering.
I am going with my interpretation of what Honda said and believing it is the long term heat load due to higher underhood temps when towing.
We both could be right or either one of us coule be wrong. :2: :2:
I'm not "guessing" it's anything. I asked "Why on earth would you need a power steering cooler?"
If it's designed so that it can't handle a little more temp, or load or whatever issues that are caused when within the load specifications, then it's a poor design.
Like putting load range "C" tires on a 1 ton truck. "Sure it will haul a lot, but you have to buy heavier tires from us to be covered under warrenty". |
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| zzyyzx |
I think they did it as a cost saver for the majority of owners. I would bet that overall, a small percentage of Pilot owners do any towing, and even less "tow" much more than a bike rack. Saving the majority of buyers a hundred dollars also saves Honda money. Lower vehicle cost too due to less standard equipment.
For that small percentage that does actually tow something, they can pay a little extra for the set-up. |
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