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Can I tow a Raindrop w/ a 2012 Acura RDX ??

D

Dmstone@pdq.net

Newbie
I have been discouraged from towing by my local Acura dealership: "I wouldn't tow anything with this vehicle, its only designed to hold a bike rack!"

Does anyone in the forum tow with an Acura RDX??
I appreciate help from anyone who knows or has experience.

Thanks,
Denise
 
What does your Acura Manual say is the maximum tow weight and tongue weight? Subaru says the same thing and will not install a 7 pin on the Outback which has a maximum weight of 2700lbs. We tried where we bought our car. But as suggested by another member we took it to a Subaru dealer in Au Claire who happily wired it for us and said that they do it all the time. I suspect it was because they had not sold us the car.
 
Oh and since then we have driven around 2700 miles through mountains etc - absolutely no problems other than not knowing how to park :)
 
Thanks for your response Simon. The manual says max tow weight for the vehicle is 1500 and that includes all gear, everything. The max tongue weight is 10% of that. I am waiting on a call back from another dealership that is a bit more tech savvy to get a second opinion.

I am very disappointed as I kept hearing that teardrops can be towed by a 4 cylinder vehicle because they are so light. I really like my RDX and don't want to part with it.
Help....

Denise
 
Denise,

Talk to Cary. I'm pretty sure any 550 and most 560's will be under 1500 even with gear. We towed all over the U.S. with a 4 cylinder Honda CR-V with no problem. However, make sure you get the trailer brakes.
 
Denise, I have a 2011 Honda Pilot and discovered the difference between the 2011 and 2012 models. I think it also pertains to the MDX. Honda eliminated the extra radiator cooler and some other tow package items that were standard. My dealer said you could bring the 2012 model up to the the 2011 tow rating of 3500 lbs if you added this stuff back in. I think the dealer can do this. I just got back from a 10,595 mile trip to Alaska and back. No problems towing and I averaged 18.5 mpg for the entire trip. I was more than pleased with the Pilot's performance.
Mike
 
Mike,
Wow. Florida to Alaska, that's pretty impressive. I will ask about the cooler option when I'm at the dealership. Am pretty much on flatland here in the gulf coast. If I decide to do mountains in the Raindrop I might consider another vehicle.

Many thanks,
Denise
 
Denise, I just noticed that my response was about the Acura MDX not your RDX. The upgrade for towing may not be available for the RDX. Sorry if I misled you.
Mike
 
I don't know why you can't. My honda element tows the 560 just fine. It's got the 2.4 liter four cylinder, just like Evans old Crv. Just 1500 lb limit.
 
I don't own a Camp-Inn but I do tow my tiny trailer with a 1994 Acura Integra. The dealership here in CA also told me not to tow with it but the manual said I could so I went with the manual. My trailer's dry weight and with me in the car I'm still well under the car's tow capacity so even loaded I haven't had a problem. Took the trailer over 13,000 miles last year including trips over Donner Pass in CA, Lookout and 4th of July (three times) in ID and MT, and Grants Pass twice in OR with no problems at all.
 
Matt, That is good news. I have heard there are others towing a 560 with the Element but don't know anything about the terrain there. I would love to make a trip and find out. We do have lots of mountains and hills. Have you been over many mountain passes. My Element is the 2008? Have you been to the Pacific Northwest yet?
 
I prefer to harness my CI to six athletic young men, all over 6' and handsome enough to cause a Mother Superior to run screaming to the nearest confessional....

But Jim says the pick-up works just fine.

Sue
 
Even if your manual doesn't call for brakes, I wouldn't tow without them. The difference in braking is SIGNIFICANT even if you've got a reasonable size tow vehicle. Even with an f150 you can feel the weight there...ok...not much, but it's there.

I've never regretted even for a milisecond adding brakes. But, in the past, did regret not having them. Never again no matter how light the trailer is will I not have them.
 
I have a 2013 RDX as well. I am also concerned about towing. I find it very disappointing that a SUV even a luxury one is limited to 1500 lbs towing capacity.

I have never bought a car and traded it in in 2 years. I like to but a new car and drive it 150-200,000 miles. But I am considering getting a new one to be able to take the weight.
 
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