Andrew Tutte smashed Dale ahead from an seventh minute corner but within five minutes United restored parity following a sweeping move down the left, superbly finished by winger Billy Bodin.
Central defender Aaron Downes scored his second goal in two games to make it 2-1 to Torquay in the 31st minute as Dale failed to clear a corner.
Howe scored the first of his double with an hour gone, firing home after Dale keeper Josh Lillis could only parry Kevin Nicholson's thumping strike.
Howe went solo to make it 4-1, clipping the ball over Lillis, after powering through the middle of the Dale half from the halfway line.
Downes saw red in the 73rd minute for fouling Dale striker George Donnelly as he was about to shoot but home keeper Michael Poke dived to his left to brilliantly keep out Jason Kennedy's low spot kick. Dale substitute Ray Putterill netted an 85th minute consolation.
