Can a Honda Passport Tow a Camper? Answered

One of the most affordable and easiest ways to get into RVing is to buy a small camper to tow behind your existing vehicle.

But how small is too small when it comes to a tow vehicle?

For example, can a Honda Passport tow a camper?

The Honda Passport has a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds for the 2WD version and up to 5,000 pounds for the AWD version.  Allowing the Passport to tow a small camper such as a teardrop trailer or a small stand-up trailer.

5 Popular Small Campers that a Honda Passport Can Tow

Now that you know a Honda Passport can tow a camper, let’s take a look at some of the most popular campers that a Honda Passport can actually tow.  

1.  Aliner Scout Lite

Quick Specs

• Cost:  $12,000 
• Dry Weight:  1,180 Pounds
• Length:  13 Feet
• Sleeps:  3

The lightest small camper on this list is the Aliner Scout Lite, which is a hybrid between a standard tent-style camper and a hard-sided travel trailer.

As this unique pop-up camper from Aliner when in travel mode is super compact just like a tent-style pop-up camper.

However, when you get to the campsite this camper unfolds and opens up into a triangle shape with hard-sided walls just like you would find in a more traditional camper.  

Providing the best of both worlds with easy towing while in travel mode and excellent comfort and noise deadening capability when in camp mode.  

2.  Scamp 13 Standard Trailer (w/o Bathroom)

Quick Specs

• Cost:  $15,000 
• Dry Weight:  1,200 Pounds
• Length:  13 Feet
• Sleeps:  4

The Scamp 13 Standard Trailer is one of the lightest trailers you can buy that still allows you to still stand up inside.  

With a dry weight of only 1,200 pounds and a length of 13 feet, this sparsely appointed trailer provides everything you need for a quick weekend getaway including a small kitchenette with propane cooktop, sink, and mini-fridge, a convertible dinette table, four-person sleeping capacity, and a small built-in heater.

Be forewarned though that the Scamp trailer is very popular and can be hard to find, as the only way you can buy a new one is directly from the manufactuer, which requires you to go on a waiting list.

3.  Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G12RK

Quick Specs

• Cost:  $12,000 
• Dry Weight:  1,252 Pounds
• Length:  11 Feet 3 Inches
• Sleeps:  2

The Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G12RK is one of the most popular teardrop trailers you can buy and is also the lightest and smallest Geo Pro Forest River makes.  

This small camper features a rear outdoor kitchen, two-person sleeping capacity, roof mount AC, entertainment system with TV, and 110 and USB outlets throughout the camper.  

And with a weight a dry weight of only 1,252 pounds you can easily pull this small camper with a Honda Passport.

4.  nuCamp TAG

Quick Specs

• Cost:  $17,000 
• Dry Weight:  1,285 Pounds
• Length:  13 Feet 7 Inches
• Sleeps:  2

The NuCamp TAG is another really popular teardrop-style trailer that has a similar layout to the Rockwood Geo Pro G12RK.

NuCamp actually makes a wide range of small campers including the Tab Teardrop, the Tab Clamshell, and the Tab 400 Teardrop but the smallest and lightest camper NuCamp makes is the TAG trailer.  

But despite its small size this camper still features a rear outdoor kitchen, sleeping capacity for two, an entertainment system, and a front diamond-plated storage box that holds the propane tank and battery for the camper.

And with a dry weight of just 1,284 pounds, you can easily pull this trailer with a Honda Passport.

5.  nuCamp Tab S

Quick Specs

• Cost:  $27,000 
• Dry Weight:  1,969 Pounds
• Length:  15 Feet 3 Inches
• Sleeps:  2

When you’re ready to move up from the smallest of teardrop campers and want a teardrop trailer that you can actually stand up in the nuCamp Tab S makes a great choice.  

As this popular little camper has an interior height of around 5 feet 8 inches allowing you to easily maneuver around inside the trailer. 

And this camper from nuCamp is also the only camper on this list that has a small wet bath allowing a lot more camping options including boondocking. 

Does the Honda Passport have a Trailer Hitch?

While some Honda Passports do have a trailer hitch, most are not equipped with a trailer hitch from the manufactuer and usually require an aftermarket trailer hitch to be installed.  

Because while all Honda Passports have the capability of towing either 3,500 or 5,000 pounds depending on the drivetrain, the only way the Passport comes equipped with a tow hitch is if the vehicle is optioned with the available tow package. 

Honda Passport Tow Package Includes

• Trailer Hitch Receiver:  Ball Mount Receiver, Retaining Pin and Clip
• Hitch Ball:  Available in either 17/8 Inch or 2 Inch
• Trailer Hitch Harness:  7-Pin Round Style Connector
• Trailer Hitch Locking Pin:  Yes

What’s the Max Tongue Weight of the Honda Passport?

All Honda Passports have a max tongue weight of 350 pounds.

However, it’s important to remember that even though all Honda Passports have the same max tongue weight, they do vary when it comes to max towing capacities.

As the front-front wheel drive, Honda Passport has a max towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.  While the all-wheel-drive Honda Passport has a max towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.  

What Can a Honda Passport Tow?

While the Honda Passport is a smaller SUV with a curb weight of only 3,959 to 4,237 pounds depending on how it’s equipped, it can actually tow a wide variety of trailers including small utility trailers, teardrop trailers, small standup trailers, and even a small fishing boat.  

However, as mentioned throughout this article the drivetrain the Passport is equipped with, will have a big impact on what the Honda Passport can tow. 

As the AWD version of the Honda Passport is capable of towing 1,500 more pounds when compared to the 2WD version.  

So to get a better understanding of what a Honda Passport can tow based on its drivetrain, we’ve listed specific trailers that the 2WD and AWD versions of the Honda Passport can tow. 

Honda Passport 2WD (Max Tow Capacity 3,500 Pounds)

• Canoe or Kayak Trailer – Average GVWR 500 Pounds
• Jet Ski Trailer – Average GVWR 1,900 Pounds
• Teardrop Trailer – Average GVWR 1,800 Pounds
• Small Open Utility Trailer – Average GVWR 2,000 Pounds
• Motorcycle Trailer – Average GVWR 2,400 Pounds

Honda Passport AWD (Max Tow Capacity 5,000 Pounds)

• A-Frame Camper – Average  GVWR 3,000 Pounds
• Small Travel Trailer – Average GVWR 3,200 Pounds
• Pop-Up Camper – Average GVWR 3,300 Pounds
• Fishing Boat Trailer – Average GVWR 3,400 Pounds
• Tow Dolly – Average GVWR 4,000 Pounds
• Small Enclosed Utility Trailer – Average GVWR 4,000 Pounds

What If My Honda Passport Doesn’t Have a Trailer Hitch?

If your Honda Passport is not currently equipped with a trailer hitch, there’s no need to worry, as it’s a relatively easy process to install a trailer hitch to a Honda Passport.

To give you a better idea of how easy it is to install a trailer hitch to a Honda Passport,  we have included not only everything you would need to install the trailer hitch to your Passport but also a simple step-by-step guide on the basics steps to install the trailer hitch. 

What You’ll Need to Install a Trailer Hitch to a Honda Passport

• CURT #13241 Class 3 Trailer Hitch – Check Price on Amazon
• Torque Wrench – Check Price on Amazon
• 22mm Socket – Check Price on Amazon
• 5 Inch Socket Extender – Check Price on Amazon

How to Install a Trailer Hitch to a Honda Passport

1. Locate the 6 attachment points on the frame rail under the vehicle. (Three Attachment Points on Each Side)
2. Place the hitch under the vehicle, lining the holes up on the hitch with the 6 attachment points of the vehicle.  (Two Person Job)
3. Hand thread the bolts into the 6 attachment points. Making sure that each bolt has a conical tooth washer and that the teeth are facing up on it.  
4. Use a torque wrench with a 22mm socket and a 5-inch extender to tighten all the bolts to the manufacturer’s recommendation.