Does anyone use their MDX to tow the car to the track or autocrosses? I would like to use once I get the required tow package installed.

 

I do know of someone who towed his Spec Miata with a MDX, but I don't think it is a great idea for a regular occurence. However, if this is all you have, then this is all you have.

 

The MDX is suppose to have a towing weight of 5000 lbs. with the tow kit. I would figure this would be enough for the S2k and trailer.

 

In my opinion, towing capacity is not the only issue. It is wheelbase. You can get "swaying" with a short wheelbase truck. I believe if you get a weight distributing hitch with the "anti-sway" attachments, then you will be ok.

 

Thanks. I'll look into that.

 

I saw some1 pulling a huge boat with an MDX. The thing must have had about -5 deg negative camber in the rear from the load.

Towing with those FF car/van based SUV doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Maybe a light car on a dolly.

 

I have used our Honda Odyssey minivan to tow cars on my trailer, and it works great. The MDX was designed to tow a boat (with the idea that the customer would be in to that sort of thing perhaps). There was significant testing with towing on the MDX; so I'd be comfortable doing it (When I worked for Honda R&D, the MDX was my primary project). I definitely would recommend a load distributing hitch with anything more than a 2500 lb setup. My setup is a 1200 lb trailer and a 2100 lb car. And my Odyssey with the 3500 lb towing capacity and NO load distributing hitch tows it like the wind, and gets 16 mpg doing it.

Chris

 

Chris, is right. Extensive testing was done. Pay attention to the manual and you'll notice there are different tow ratings for box trailers & boats. Box trailers have a lot more aerodynamic drag. Our race team tows all over with them (~15k towing miles last year alone). You do need to watch the total weight. We have Trailex open aluminum trailers (~850-900lbs), so for example, when towing a SSB Prelude, trailer, 8 tires on the tire rack we are at a combined trailer weight of ~4300lbs. Weight distribution is important, otherwise you can get trailer sway at speed. Because the MDX rear suspension was designed with a bias towards handling it will squat down in the back and the wheels do camber in when towing. This is normal and, in fact, helps trailer towing stability (negative camber). If you load a trailer such that the rear is not squating at least some, you will get trailer sway at highway speeds. Been there, done that; scared the heck out of myself and those around me.

Also, last but not least, get the factory hitch and tranny cooler. All bets are off if you don't do that. Notice how only the factory hitch has additional mounting points at the center to the vehicle that attaches to the bumper beam. Do not accept a hitch that does not do that. We wouldn't spec out a tranny cooler if it wasn't needed. Get the cooler.

So heavy open trailers are ok but don't expect to be towing box trailers over 3500lbs.

That's all, have fun.

Jeremy Lucas
Team Honda Research
Kumho-Cobalt-Comptech


Modified by jpl95si at 1:15 PM 2/7/2004