Thank you for the detailed report.2020 Passport Elite AWD
Yesterday, I towed my new Kubota BX23S home from Nashville to below Pittsburgh, about 9 hours through the Kentucky and West Virginia mountains. With Loader, Mower, Backhoe, and fluid filled tires, it was slightly under 3000 pounds of payload on a dual axle 18 foot trailer, trailer is slightly under 2000 pounds. Estimated trailer weight at 4500 pounds. Also 2 adults (not 150 pounds. lol) and maybe 100 in gear and accessories I purchased.
I installed the hitch, brake controller, and wiring myself, but let my local Honda dealer install the transmission cooler. I ran out of time to do it myself. Kudos to the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite brake controller... it did an amazing job. I also watched my transmission temp most of the ride with an ODBC bluetoothed to my phone on the Torque app. 185 nearly the whole ride, max was 188 on a few mountains. It was solid very little fluctuation. Outside temp was 60, so the cooler day surely helped a little.
I have a lot of towing experience. from long to short, heavy to light, local and cross country... but almost all with a full size diesel trucks... or my Tahoe.
With all that said... the Passport was flawless. You knew it was back there... definitely, but I had no issue topping any hill at 70, or more if I wanted to push it. I took it easy with always power to spare, no sway, minimal squat on the PP. I did position the tractor for a good tongue weight.
I pulled out nervous thinking I wish I had my Tahoe, but quickly realized I was good to go. It was definably not a full sized diesel truck, but properly equipped, I can honestly say from experience... This is a beast of a towing machine at near 5000 lbs.
Oh ya... 14 mpg. Truly an impressive gas mileage number. I had the weight, but not the wind resistance a camper wound have, so I think that was part of the reason.
I wanted to share for all of you who were considering towing with your PP. I was considering the 2022 Tundra, but now I will have to rethink that.
Dan
Btw..nice looking kubota. 😎
Very amazed by the fuel consumption. That 14mpg is truly one hell of record especially considering the mountainous region.
Are those the orginal stock rims and tires? On the PP.
