200 Starcraft Spacestar too heavy for Honda Pilot?

[wadedrow]

Wayne, thanks for all the info on tow ratings.  You have enlightened me on the differences between GVWR and GCWR and I appreciate it.   You mentioned not to trust vehicle tow ratings, I will add also not to trust many things that you read on some websites.   I was a bit nervous when I read on howstuffworks that a 2006 Pilot GCWR was only 7,914 and the 2007 was 9,700.   Seemed odd to me since nothing on the Pilot had changed for those years.  I just got off the phone with Honda Corporate in California and then confirmed that the 2006 Pilots GCWR is also 9,700 not the 7,914 that they list on howstuffworks.   I also asked for Wade what the GCWR for the 2004 was and it is also 9,700.    Honda also said these numbers are for a TV with the proper towing equipment and fluids in the TV,  meaning transmission cooler and power steering cooler.  

This is why this site is so great because fellow campers can bounce things off of each other like this.   Thanks again Wayne and others for all the info.

Thanks for the inquiry Jimmy!  I have been off this thread for a while and just saw all the replies.  I was wrong about my Bayside having a swaybar, which is what the guy I bought it from said it was.  It is actually a Reese WDH.  I had not seen one like that and did not recognize it for what it was.  We did a test drive last week without the brake controller, don't have it in yet or the WDH hooked up.  I actually loaded the front trunk with about 150 lbs of weight and we went for about a 20 mile ride.  Now no way will I pull this thing in overdrive, but it seemed to perform flawlessly.  No sway and the rear end was not sagging too much.  

And Jimmy, I installed my hitch and a 4 way flat connector when we first got the Pilot.  I tow a utility trailer that I have my bikes and my kids' 4 wheelers on.

So far, the pilot pulls and handles great as long as the trailer is loaded properly.  

Now my next question is, why a power steering cooler?  This is the first vehicle I have ever had that required an additional power steering cooler for towing.  I have an aftermarket transmission cooler, which in my opinion is far better than the "OEM Honda" cooler.  I guess I am not seeing the reason for the PS cooler.  What am I missing?

[wavery]

Wayne, thanks for all the info on tow ratings.  You have enlightened me on the differences between GVWR and GCWR and I appreciate it.   You mentioned not to trust vehicle tow ratings, I will add also not to trust many things that you read on some websites.   I was a bit nervous when I read on howstuffworks that a 2006 Pilot GCWR was only 7,914 and the 2007 was 9,700.   Seemed odd to me since nothing on the Pilot had changed for those years.  I just got off the phone with Honda Corporate in California and then confirmed that the 2006 Pilots GCWR is also 9,700 not the 7,914 that they list on howstuffworks.   I also asked for Wade what the GCWR for the 2004 was and it is also 9,700.    Honda also said these numbers are for a TV with the proper towing equipment and fluids in the TV,  meaning transmission cooler and power steering cooler.  

This is why this site is so great because fellow campers can bounce things off of each other like this.   Thanks again Wayne and others for all the info.

That's one of the reasons that I always recommend calling the manuf or dealer with your vin# to be sure that you have the correct info. I would even go a step farther in your case. I'd ask to have them send it to you in writing because there seems to be some confusion. If they didn't ask for your VIN, they didn't give you your vehicles exact info. All vehicles of the same year and model are not necessarily built alike (although I'm now sure about Honda....they may be).

[surffishjimmy]

Wade, I am not sure why HONDA includes a power steering cooler as part of the towing package.  I would not think it is necessary but they must have a reason for including it.  I would call HONDA corporate and talk to them about it.   Also as Wayne said give them your VIN number to make sure nothing is different with the tow rating.  

I might have gone overboard with the Air bags but I figured that it cannot hurt.   I had originally wanted a WDH but I called Viking the manufacturer of the camper and they did not recommend it because of the possibility of bending the PUP's frame.  So that is why I went with the Air Bags.  Viking did recommend a Reese Friction Sway Bar.   Just because the previous owner used a WDH doesn't mean that it should have one.   I would also call Starcraft to discuss the WDH.   I would hate to see your frame bend.