Folding Travel Trailer
Honda Pilot steers a course as top family hauler
The market is quite crowded these days with excellent family crossover utility vehicles — so many, in fact, that trying to pick just the right one can be time-consuming.
But if the 2011 Honda Pilot is on your list of models to consider, and you check it out first, you might not have to look any further. It's the best eight-passenger midsize crossover on the market, although it's certainly not the least expensive.
For those who don't want to drive a minivan — like Honda's other great family hauler, the Odyssey — the Pilot might be the perfect alternative.
This is one of the most family-friendly vehicles ever built, and it's just as suitable for a long road trip as daily duties of hauling kids, dogs, soccer equipment and groceries.
The Pilot got a complete makeover just two years ago, which added a lot of new interior features and available technology.
For 2011, there are four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring, and four-wheel drive is optional on all four. The base LX two-wheel drive costs $28,045 (plus $780 freight), and the four-wheel-drive LX lists for $29,645.
The midlevel EX begins at $30,895 with front drive and $32,495 with all-wheel drive; with all-wheel drive and navigation, it costs $37,595.
Touring models cost $38,795 with front drive, navigation and a rear entertainment system and $40,395 with all-wheel-drive, navigation and the entertainment system, which is the model we tested. The Pilot is nearly as elegant and well-equipped as its premium Acura counterpart, the MDX, which is built on the same chassis.
Under the hood of all Pilot models is a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, rated at 250 horsepower and 253 foot-pounds of torque, connected to a five-speed automatic transmission.
This is a smooth, powerful drivetrain that moves the vehicle effortlessly. While I didn't test it on any steep mountain grades with a full load of people and cargo, we did have five on board, and typical uphill freeway ramps were no problem.
Inside, the Pilot is mostly quiet at highway speeds, although some wind noise does come through. It's still easy to conduct a conversation at normal volume levels, though, even at 70 mph.
While the ride is soft and easy on the bones, the suspension is stiff enough to hold the vehicle steady on curves, and the steering is crisp and responsive. That's one of the pluses of the crossover's car chassis compared with the body-on-frame arrangement of the typical sport utility vehicle.
Folding Travel Trailer - News
Towing capacity is 3500 pounds with two-wheel drive and 4500 with all-wheel drive, so the Pilot can handle a medium-sized boat or travel trailer. Contact Express-News automotive columnist G. Chambers Williams III at 210-250-3236 or
An alternative technology gaining in popularity with travelers is the folding bike. Bulloch uses the "Bike Friday" model that is lighter and uses smaller-diameter wheels than a conventional touring bike. "It's geared to ride like a regular bicycle,
Between the two of them, Nguyen and Teruel have six panniers (special luggage carriers for bicycles), a folding mattress, laptops and cameras. Nguyen's four panniers alone weigh around 30 kilos. "We carry just the most basic things.
The Full Time RV'er and Travel Trailers | Travel deals
Travel trailers are one of the most popular RV's going. They date back to the very early days of RV travel and have grown and blossomed with the industry. A RV trailer is a trailer that is hitched to the rear of the tow vehicle instead of a hitch in the bed of a pickup. Travel trailers range in size from a tiny 13 feet to 35 feet plus. They come in many forms from the compact folding tent trailer to the full size unit with multiple slide outs. Sleeping arrangements often include bunk beds to accommodate the entire family.
Folding Travel Trailer - Bookshelf
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Chalet folding travel trailers review - Roaming Times
Chalet folding travel trailers review with forum and links to dealers and information
Chalet RV - Folding Travel Trailers
Chalet folding travel trailers are the lightest weight, solid-walled, travel trailers on ... Chalet travel trailers offer the best combination of quality, features and ...
Chalet
Manufactures a lightweight folding camping trailer designed for the small family or single person.
TrailManor
Manufacturing telescoping trailers that can be towed by minivans but set up to become a self-contained travel trailer.
Hilltop RV Superstore | Michigan RV Dealer | Motorhomes ...
Hilltop RV Superstore of Escanaba and Ishpeming Michigan is your source for motorhomes, travel trailers, 5th wheels, truck campers, cargo trailers, and folding ...
