Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Acura MDX Towing
natenj1971
Member Posts: 174
in Acura
Thanks for the info about the additional engine and transmission coolers. The latest word from the dealer is that there is no info on the hitch/harness etc for the 2007 model yet. The $800.00 quote was for the 2006 model. Dealer hopes to have updated information soon.
I'm going to call acura service departments tomorrow to see if I can find any more information.
Thanks again.
I'm going to call acura service departments tomorrow to see if I can find any more information.
Thanks again.
0
Comments
Question is has anyone had trouble aquiring a hitch? Dealer says they haven't received any yet. My dad wont take delivery without the hitch (he's always towing something around; atv,lawn mower, stuff my mom doesn't want around the house anymore). The dealer response is "we'll just call you when the hitch arrives and install at that time" (no eta on that).
Price for the hitch is $800.00
However, losing a good deal on an expensive vehicle just to prevent being without a hitch for a while seems like a Pyrrhic victory.
I can't imagine it would take more than a few weeks to get the proper hitch. Is it possible for him to be without a tow vehicle that long, but he just doesn't want the bother? Or does he need to tow and cannot do without? If he can wait, I'd try to weasel some free stuff from the dealer based on how long it takes to get the hitch. One free oil change coupon for every week he has to wait, or something like that.
My concern would be the wait time - seems like someone had to wait months for an OEM hitch (or harness?) around here for their SUV. Been searching for the post but can't find it though; this isn't quite what I thought I remembered:
darrylj, "RAV4 Towing Options" #10, 26 Jul 2006 5:55 am
I think the biggest factor has been the dealer response. They didn't notify him about the hitch till he went to the dealer to check out the car. He had to remind them to "install the hitch" and that's how he found out it was going to be delayed. They're not interested in any concessions, in their words - these cars are in high demand. So no free oil changes, no free car washes. nada. My dad doesn't go for that stuff anyway. He told them, If you want my car so bad give me a car to use while were waiting for the hitch. By the time it arrives you'll have another MDX like I requested. When the dealer heard that suddenly they think the hitch will be available Nov 13 - but not guarenteed. Of course the dealer declined the loaner car suggestion.
I'm really curious if others have had similar trouble getting a hitch (I couldn't find it listed as an accessory or option on the website). Apparently the harness etc is specific to this model so it's not like and aftermarket product will do (something about voiding warrenty etc).
But I agree with you and your Dad's concern. We looked into getting a trailer hitch for our 2005 MDX, primarily to use with the rear bike carrier. As it turns out, we had a heck of a time finding a dealer that stocked them and they would only install it with the additional engine and transmission coolers that Acura requires. Failure to do so would have invalidated the warranty.
Very few MDX's have trailer hitches. I have only seen 1-2 in our area. If the redesigned 2007 required a new hitch design, I wouldn't be surprised if you had to wait a long time to get one. And be sure to check if you don't also still need the engine and transmission coolers for the 2007.
Is that official fact from Acura, or speculation?
According to the Acura regional representative I spoke with last year, they determined that so few customers use the MDX for serious towing, that they elected to not make the engine and transmission oriented towards that purpose, hence the need for extra coolers. The 2007, although more horsepower, is still well below the torque of many of it's V8 competitors (GX470, LR3, X5 V8, Cayenne) and it's still a FWD based AWD system (more stressed under towing conditions). I have no actual knowledge on what the hitch/cooler issue is for 2007, and neither does my dealer who I called yesterday. He was going to look into it and get back to me. What is the source of information for your statement?
It's hard to believe they would go through all that trouble just not to have a trailer hitch available!
I called around to a few dealers. They all said the hitch is scheduled to hit dealers on Nov 10th. The hitch info is listed on the acura mdx site under "Features and Options," and then "Utility" It does say that the tranny "was designed with towing in mind.."
So looks like this deal may live after all. Dealer even called offering a loaner car while we wait for the hitch.
Thanks again for all the responses.
It's official from Acura. Here's snippet from their press/news site.
With a towing capacity of 5000 pounds the 2007 MDX can tow boat and/or camper trailers with equal confidence. Standard towing equipment includes a high-capacity radiator with twin 160-watt fans, an automatic transmission fluid cooler, a heavy-duty power-steering cooler and pre-wiring for an electric brake controller. A Towing Package is available as dealer-installed accessory, and includes a hitch, receiver, ball and wiring harness.
"According to the Acura regional representative I spoke with last year, they determined that so few customers use the MDX for serious towing, that they elected to not make the engine and transmission oriented towards that purpose, hence the need for extra coolers." - Habitat1
It looks like your rep has got his/her wires crossed. They did add the coolers, they upped the capacity (slightly), and they reprogrammed the VSA to react specifically to towing situations. Scroll down to the bottom of this press release for details.
http://hondanews.com/CatID3028?mid=2006090866280&mime=asc
On a related note, Acura is starting to play the same games as other manufactuers.
From 2001-2006, the MDX was rated to tow a max weight of 4,500 lbs. That weight also allowed for up to four passengers (600 lbs) and enough luggage for a weekend (200 lbs). Most all other manufactuers publish the towing caacity with only the driver (150 lbs) and absolutely no cargo.
With the Ridgeline and MDX, towing is now based on a vehicle with only two passengers and the 200 lbs of gear.
So, if you compare the old MDX with the new one (both loaded with four passengers and gear) the difference in max towing is only 200 lbs. 4,500 vs 4,700 lbs.
Maybe I wasn't clear, I spoke with the Acura rep last year regarding our 2005 MDX. That's very good news for the 2007 that you don't have to go to hell and back with installing engine and power steering coolers just to add a trailer hitch. All we wanted to do wass add a bike rack and possibly tow a light boat (under 3,000 lbs) short distances.
As for the 2001-2006 MDX towing capacity of 4,500 lbs, my hometown dealer recommended against the MDX for anything over 3,000 lbs, especially the pre-2005 model and especially for long distances on highways with some topography. The previous MDX (and TL) automatic transmissions were already a weak link in the car and that additional stress could cause problems down the road. My dealer also sold Mercedes and towing is the one area that the ML500 had a significant practical performance advantage over the MDX.
Thansks for the official info and link on the 2007. I still don't think I'd push it to its capacity limit as a boat hauler, but at least for lighter duty towing it will be a lot more practical that the previous model.
My bad! I thought the rep was giving you his assessment of the (at the time) upcoming 2007 MDX.
While the standard to rate towing capacity seems to have changed (two occupants as opposed to four), the older 4500-lb towing was recommended only for boats, 3500 lb for trailers/campers. The new 5000 lb towing capacity is claimed to be good for trailers/campers.
I'll be doing more fairly soon.
I get the typical slide sound from the square tubing of the receiver and hitch from the stop and go perspective. I really hadn't spent the time to figure the other sound as yet. I have not measured the height but can say that the rear dropped down about the same as my Suburban did. I store my boat on my driveway and need to back it in. The grade is upward from the street to the house (22' long and 24" high). It handled pretty well. No more info at present.
Jim
Anyway, thanks again and please report back once you've taken your MDX and boat on a trip.
Joel
Need a hitch to tow an (as yet) imaginary boat. Simple class 3 is $1100. at the dealer, and $350 at an experienced local place(for hitch, ball and wiring).
Please tell me if I am silly to save the money and risk ruining my new Acura! What is different at the dealer that they can charge so much more?
Thanks, Kat
Would either a Pilot or an older MDX be able to handle that amount of towing? Has anyone had experience with towing slightly outside the ratings?
Looking for additional ideas for the best Aftermarket Hitch w/ wiring harness to add to an 08 MDX that I will be leasing soon.
Dealer wants $995 (anyone getting a better price from a dealer?)
I've seen some of the hitches available (Hidden Hitch) but they don't look as integrated as the Acura Hitch kit. (pretty crummy actually).
Looks like I may be able to get the Acura hitch kit for $500 direct but it looks difficult to install myself.
BTW I am towing a moderate sized boat but only twice per year.
Thanks in advance!
Anthony O
:shades:
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/showthread.php?s=5bb71ee6a6ee2fc025707dd2b2159f87- - &threadid=28975&highlight=hitch
Once I get the car I think I will be going with the Valley Hitch from etrailer.com
http://www.etrailer.com/productdetail.asp?partno=V82111&vehicleid=9866&yearfrom=- - 2007&h=
Looks like the Hitch and Wiring Harness can be had for about $150
This looks just as nice as the $1000 Acura Dealer installed Hitch!
I'll post my experience once I get this all installed..
Thanks
Anthony O
I wouldn't worry too much if you are going short distances, however for long distances I would get the cooler. My trailer has tandem wheels with surge brakes. I don't notice the weight when I stop due to the trailer brakes.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Utility Trailers are Dangerous
I live in Portland and just got a 2009 MDX. Where did you buy your hitch and get it installed?
Thanks
Ray
As I recall, I removed the storage panel to access a few screws to remove the rear molding panel and the harness connector is under the panel and has a dummy connector connected to it. The supplied harness plugs into the connector under the panel and then goes thru an access hole that has a rubber plug.
I ended up selling my MDX and got a GMC Yukon with auto-adjusting rear air-shocks to pull our camper. The rear suspension on the MDX was way to soft to pull our 3000 lb highwall pop-up.
Because I would only be towing a trailer 1 time/year max, he recommended that I keep the wiring for the trailer in the trunk and not keep it on the outside of the car where it would corrode. I also did not have to pay for the expensive OEM wiring kit. With the MDX (2004) the dealer instructions say to remove the plastic piece below the bumper. He asked right away if I owned the car and if I planned to keep the hitch on indefinitely. When I said "yes" to both, he said that he can make it look nice by cutting the plastic sqaure hole (for the hitch receiver). He installed the hitch that way and it looks great! Much better than any dealer installs when you see all the metal hitch tubing beneath the car! I am surprised the dealers don't do this! In the event that the hitch accumulates some rust over the years, you won't even see it!
Also, for the wiring, he ran the wire into my storage compartment of the trunk. Inside the compartment, he left 4 ft of wire with the connector on the end. When I do tow, he showed me how you can pull the wire out and close the trunk on it without causing any damage to the wires.
Best of all - the hitch install only cost me $120 for install, wiring, everything..All in, I got the OEM hitch with install and wiring for $388! What a bargain.
I would recommend other people to guy my route. For the savings and aesthetics it is a no-brainer!
FYI - i did not have coolers installed since I would only be towing a single motorcycle over short distances, i mainly got it for a bike rack
I have a question.
I was planning on moving a ping pong (table tennis) table using my friend's Acura MDX. Has anyone been able to move it successfully? Or should I find a pick up truck for moving the table?
Thank you.
now it look very odd from behind. they told me they can't do anything about it.
I think the problem is the hitch they ordered or may be they did not instal right and not wanting to correct it.
Any advise? Thanks!
Eric