Trans cooler for Honda Pilot ?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Matt - 12 May 2005 14:27 GMT

Trailer : 2002 Jayco Qwest 10X. Unloaded vehicle weight w/ std equip.
1220 lbs. We do not have bike carrier, canoe, furnace, fridge, etc.,
so the actual weight with cargo does not go much above this amount.

Vehicle being considered: 2005 Honda Pilot LX. Here is info from
brochure: "Towing requires installation of a power-steering and
transmission-fluid cooler, both available exclusively from your Honda
dealer. Maximum towing capacity is 4,500 lbs. for boat trailers and
3,500 lbs. for all other trailers."

We live in NJ. We mostly camp in NJ and PA, so we don't drive up tall
mountains and such.

My question is if I really need the power-steering and trans-cooler.

Thanks in advance.

Reply to this Message

Tony Wesley - 12 May 2005 15:12 GMT

> Trailer : 2002 Jayco Qwest 10X. Unloaded vehicle weight w/ std equip.
> 1220 lbs. We do not have bike carrier, canoe, furnace, fridge, etc.,
> so the actual weight with cargo does not go much above this amount.

I have a trailer with a similar weight. And none of the above stuff.

[...]

> My question is if I really need the power-steering and trans-cooler.

One way to tell for sure. Tow with it and see if you have a
transmission failure. :(

Seriously, I have a vehicle with a trailer rating of 5000-pounds. Even
though if has a factory tow package, it did not have a tranny cooler.

I added one. Did I need to? I dunno. I figured it was reasonably
cheap insurance.

Reply to this Message

meldx - 12 May 2005 19:33 GMT

My understanding is that Honda protects themselves by stating this
comment. If you don't put one and you have a failure , they'll see that
you have a hitch an not the cooler, so they will be able to make you pay
for any repairs.

mel

Matt a écrit:

> Trailer : 2002 Jayco Qwest 10X. Unloaded vehicle weight w/ std equip.
> 1220 lbs. We do not have bike carrier, canoe, furnace, fridge, etc.,
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance.

Reply to this Message

lfm - 12 May 2005 21:27 GMT

You probably do need it. It is a good idea. Without it your tow rating is
much lower (fr'insance - on my Sienna with the tran cooler, it was 3500,
without 1500).

OTOH, the 'available exclusively at your Honday dealer' is an amazing amount
of horse poop! Go to a good transmission shop - it will surely cost less.

Laura

> Trailer : 2002 Jayco Qwest 10X. Unloaded vehicle weight w/ std equip.
> 1220 lbs. We do not have bike carrier, canoe, furnace, fridge, etc.,
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance.

Reply to this Message

Chris Cowles - 13 May 2005 00:57 GMT

I'd say it's advisable to protect the engine. Regardless of that opinion,
not having it provides a reason for Honda to tell you to pay for the repairs
yourself. That would be \very\ expensive, compared to the cost of the
auxiliary coolers.

Signature

Chris Cowles
Gainesville, FL

> Trailer : 2002 Jayco Qwest 10X. Unloaded vehicle weight w/ std equip.
> 1220 lbs. We do not have bike carrier, canoe, furnace, fridge, etc.,
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance.

Reply to this Message

Jim Redelfs - 13 May 2005 01:34 GMT

Have you actually WEIGHED the camper, all "wet" and loaded for camping? If
no, I predict you will be quite surprised at how much MORE it weighs than it
says in the brochure.

Sales brochures are NOTORIOUS for UNDERstating weights.

> Vehicle being considered: 2005 Honda Pilot LX. Here is info from
> brochure: "Towing requires installation of a power-steering and
> transmission-fluid cooler...
>
> My question is if I really need the power-steering and trans-cooler.

Uh, what part of "requires" don't you understand?

While under warranty, if you were to "shell-out" either the transmission or
the power steering, and Honda discovered a trailer hitch BUT no REQUIRED
cooler for either system, I think you'd be out of luck having the repair made
under warranty.

The MSRP for the model you are considering begins at $27,550. Knowing Honda,
I'll bet there's little or no discounting. You probably DON'T "need" the
coolers but don't cheap-out NOW and take a chance.

Good luck!
:)
JR

Signature

2000 Skamper Ultra 249 TT
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Vortec 8100 - Allison 1000

Reply to this Message

Bob Burns - 13 May 2005 13:19 GMT

You need it to avoid possible warrenty issues if you have a failure. Not a
bad idea to have it anyway. The Pilot does a lot of shifting on hills when
pulling a trailer.

I pull a Aliner Sportliner with my 03 Pilot.

Signature

Bob Burns
Mill Hall PA

--
Bob Burns
Mill Hall PA

> Trailer : 2002 Jayco Qwest 10X. Unloaded vehicle weight w/ std equip.
> 1220 lbs. We do not have bike carrier, canoe, furnace, fridge, etc.,
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance.

Reply to this Message

Chris Cowles - 14 May 2005 23:19 GMT

Shift to a lower gear if the transmission keeps hunting up and down. Better
to stay in the lower gear consistently until in terrain that doesn't require
the transmission to shift as much.

Signature

Chris Cowles
Gainesville, FL
'00 Coleman Mesa/'99 Chevy Astro

> You need it to avoid possible warrenty issues if you have a failure. Not
> a bad idea to have it anyway. The Pilot does a lot of shifting on hills
> when pulling a trailer.
>
> I pull a Aliner Sportliner with my 03 Pilot.

Reply to this Message

Mando - 27 May 2005 21:52 GMT

I just went through this about three months ago. I have a small Coleman
Taos--one of the smallesst pop-ups they make. I traded my Subaru
Outback in and the Honda people recommended the tranny cooler.
Personally, I think the Subaru pulled this trailer very well and we
tried to get a tranny cooler installed on that car to no avail. The
Subaru never had a problem but it also had the Boxer 6 cylinder which
is loaded with torque. The car was lower to the ground as well.
Bottom line is that we got the entire towing package from Honda (at a
good price)and it includes a power steering cooler as well. Now, it is
within warranty and I don't have to worry about high speeds or hills.
We plan on driving this rig 200,000 miles and don't plan on replacing a
transmission in a small RV.
Did we get screwed? I don't think so. The Honda is an awesome small RV
with tons of room.
Good luck,
Fred

> Shift to a lower gear if the transmission keeps hunting up and down. Better
> to stay in the lower gear consistently until in terrain that doesn't require
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> >
> > I pull a Aliner Sportliner with my 03 Pilot.

Reply to this Message