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Topic: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.  (Read 3390 times) previous topic - next topic

Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

We are shopping for a MDX and before I pull the trigger, sure would like imput from current owners / tower's.
  What I've seen so far is 2006 seems to be the newest model that can be towed 4 down. But at this point I don't know what I don't know so  help.
Robert and Susan Moe Sr.
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR
         

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #1 –
Robert, as far as I know, the 2004 MDX is the last model that Honda recommends is towable 4 down.To make sure, call the Honda Corp customer service hotline to find out. We tow Our '06 and works well except after towing all day we get a transmission oil smell that lasts for awhile. Hasn't seemed to affect the shifting any but we do change the trans oil more often than normal. Our owners manual doesn't recommend four down towing but we do it anyway because it has the same eng/trans as an '04 does. Hope this helps you. Let me know what you find out.
BTW, we are now towing a 2016 Chevy Colorado 4x4 diesel.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #2 –
I have been flat towing my 2005 MDX for about 3 years with no problems. A charge circuit from the coach will be needed to keep battery up. The off road capabilities of the MDX surprised me and I find it a very comfortable and capable toad with good interior space. Feel free to pm me if you have more questions. Owners manual gives instruction on how to flat tow.
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #3 –
Consider a Jeep Grand Cherokee for flat towing, if you want a newer model year.

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #4 –
Bill, you are right about a charge circuit.we have towed ours for 5 years and no issues except the oil smell. We have over 200,000 mi with at least 50k being towed and has been great!
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #5 –
Remco : The Towing Experts

Click "tow my vehicle"  and/or "REMCO Recommended vehicles".

Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #6 –
Went shopping today and looked at MDXs and 460 GXs, 470GXs (used that is). DW has been mentioning to others that we talk to about to towing the MDX but later getting the Lexus RX that she REALY wants ( been talking about a Lexus RX for years) so I decided to stop by the Lexus dealer. They actually had (in stock) a 17 RX 450h f sport in the right color. Pearl white outside ( matches MH) and Cranberry red interior. Looks like I may be using a trailer (can't tow em 4 down) if we pull the trigger tomorrow.        How's it go " if DW isn't happy, nobody's happy" .
Robert and Susan Moe Sr.
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR
         

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #7 –
Trailers have their own issues, and depending how many months a year you are in your RV, finding a comprise tow-car that can be pulled 4 wheels down may be a better choice.
Also be aware that heavier tow-cars may be noticed with C8.3.

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Trailers have their own issues, and depending how many months a year you are in your RV, finding a comprise tow-car that can be pulled 4 wheels down may be a better choice.
Also be aware that heavier tow-cars may be noticed with C8.3.
With car and trailer, you are looking at over 4 tons. Quite a load for a 8.3.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #9 –
I wonder if an aluminum c trailer is better ?  The RX will come in at 5700 and the A trailer at 1500 I think. Heck, I don't know we are keeping the H civic for a while and I may just tow that one. It's got close to 300,000 on it so if it breaks I'll just leave it.  Also when I bought the U280 someone suggested I just rent a trailer and carry the Corvette back home on it.    But it is 3,000 versus 5700.
  In the end when I whine about towing, I just need to look back at how my dad did it.    THANKS so much for all the imput.
Robert and Susan Moe Sr.
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR
         

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Trailers have their own issues, and depending how many months a year you are in your RV, finding a comprise tow-car that can be pulled 4 wheels down may be a better choice.
Also be aware that heavier tow-cars may be noticed with C8.3.

I found towing the geo tracker at 2K lbs barely noticeable, a Honda Element slightly over 3K is significantly more noticeable. I'd think long and hard about going over 4K behind an 8.3. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #11 –
3,600 is noticeable behind our m11
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #12 –
I have a 2014 MB GLK diesel AWD @ 4,000 Lbs and a 16Ft Steel/wood car trailer @ 1,600 Lbs. With my M11 I can tell it's back there on hills but it still goes just fine.
I got far to good a deal on that new Mercedes ($34,000) to even think of trading it and I don't want to give up 40+ MPG like we get and we quite like the GLK. So trailer it is.

I must say though that the Lexus @ 5,700 Lbs must be made of lead as that's rather portly in the extreme. Wouldn't you be getting very near to the max GCVWR towing that setup?
 

Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #13 –
Ops. I was one digit off. RX450 H is 4700 not 5700 lbs.  still heavy I guess for the 8.3. My power to (current) weight ratio is 86.
Robert and Susan Moe Sr.
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR
         

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #14 –
Bob & Sue, Check out Express Custom for a trailer. They built a custom made trailer for me to haul my Caterham (a 1200 Lb car) The trailer weighed 450Lbs and was twin axle. They build nice stuff and at a good price (esp with the exchange rate) Wa. Will give you credit for the Canadian tax and no duties either.  $4,800 USD for a 18' marine grade alu trailer that weighs 1,200Lbs is a pretty good deal. They are very near Nanaimo.

Express Trailer - 7' x 18' - 7000 GVW

A picture of the trailer they built for me. Express custom car trailer | Flickr
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #15 –
I tow a 2013 chevy sonic which weighs 2700 lbs. No problem what so ever. I hook up in less than 10 minutes and unhooking is even faster.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: Towing an Acura MDX, what can you tell me.

Reply #16 –
FWIW I tow a 2006 Honda Pilot which I believe to be very similar to the Acura. The owners manual does NOT say it is flat tow able, however previous models were IF you followed the proper procedure for putting the transmission in neutral . After much research and many conversations with other owners I decided to give it a try, 30K miles later NO issues.
2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
Coach # 5995
Previous coaches
2002 U320 coach  #5941
1996 U270 coach #4808