towing capacity

[dwike]

Hey there,

Anybody out there pulling an outback l/s with an acura mdx? The mdx is only rated at a 3500 pound towing capacity. I am currently pulling my boat with a yukon, but would like to trade up to an mdx, but need to be able to pull the boat. Thanks in advance, and if you would please reply to me directly at [email protected]

[purplepower]

The MDX is a fine vehicle. I believe it is an evolution of the Honda van platform. I had a look at the Honda Pilot this spring (same vehicle as the MDX under the skin). It does not have the full frame construction, stopping or pulling power of your Yukon. Most of the small to medium SUVs sit on a unibody platform. Although their official towing capacity is 3500 pounds, I do not think they ideal for towing these boats.

[Shoemaker Mobius]

I tow my 2004 Mobius LSV with a 2002 Ford Explorer rear-wheel drive, 3.8L V6 and have had no problems.

[sloppy]

The Honda Pilot is rated for 3500 lbs towing unless there is a boat and the max tow rate is then 4500. They say this is due to aerodynamics of the boat dueing towing. The MDX may be the same since it is built on the same platform. I tow with a 97 Mercury Villiager minivan with a 3500 towing capacity and hold my breath every mile. I will soon get a small pickup with a 5500 towing capacity. My thoughts (although they are not worth much) is use the MDX on a very limited basis and only over flat terrain. Also check to see if the MDX's towing capacity is like the Pilot's with a 4500 pound boat capacity.

[BensonWdby]

My experience - I fried the tranny in my Dodge Gr.Caravan even with trans. cooler.
I now have a 4WD Durango with a small V8 (4.7L?) It does the job pretty well. I always pull the boat in 4WD, just feels better. Gas mileage is horrible.

I think you also need to consider the abiliy of the vehicle to pull the boat out of some less than friendly landings. That is why I went with 4WD. Last thing you need is to get stuck not being able to get your boat out.

I think you need consider the concept of de-rating, never run at max rated capacity. I would never try to pull one of these boats with 3500 max capacity, regardless of claims of areodynamics. If you look at the specs on this web site you will see that these boats with trailer run about 3800 lbs. Then figure additional 200 lbs for fuel and 100 lbs for gear, spare tire, and coolers you are at 4100. This is about 90% of the capacity of a vehicle rated at 4500 lbs. Don't forget that some vehicles the max towing capacity may include vehicle load as well. This means the wieght of passengers and cargo inside the vehicle while towing.

If I am traveling more than a few miles I normally do not fill the boats fuel tank until I get to my destination.

And let's not forget breaking. Your tow vehicle has to be able to adequately stop the whole thing in a reasonable distance without wearing your pads down to nothing on the ifrst attempt.

My 2cts.
Dave

[batman1171]

I use a F-350 Crew Cab Long Bed with a 7.3 Diesel.......The only problem I have is going too fast...
________
storz & bickel volcano vaporizer

[bluoval]

I am an engineer at Honda and let me tell you that I would not tow with an MDX. Whoever stated that the unibody will not pull like your Yukon they are 100% right. We do not make a vehicle that is capable of towing 4000lbs. Or atleast I wouldn't tow that much with one of our vehicles and I work there.

[Summit_SS]

I'll have to go with batman1171 on this one I use a '03 Duramax have no problem towing in the mountains in Colorado or pulling the distance to mead or powell. plus Diesel=great power and mileage

[sloppy]

The choice I made was concurent with the following posts. I purchased a 04 Dodge 2500 Ram with a Cummins diesel. I feel like I have a piece of mind. Besides I love the truck.

[Catdog1]

I'd tow with some sort of detroit v8 iron, even if it were aged.

3/4 Ton 4wd Burb with 6.0 gas does well except in mountains. Better if it had a different rear end ratio. Hard to back it without lurching. Barn doors mess-up visibility when backing or driving. Long wheelbase plus short trailer tongue make backing-up a pain in the butt.

1/2 ton 4wd silverado with 5.7 does well. Short cab, short wheelbase makes backing-up easy and high visibility. 5 speed allows you to feather the clutch and control the back-up in low range 4wd. This is best for me. ( I have to back up a gravel hill, turn a tight 90 degrees, and have 2 inches clearance on each side of the poles to get into the garage.)


3/4 ton conversion van with 5.7 pulls well in straight line. Handles mountains because of the axle ration ( low top end ). Can't handle a wet ramp or gravel at all. Tires spin.

Ditch the little stuff. Buy a stump puller to tow with if you can.