Hello Acura community!

I am a past owner of a 2006 Acura TSX, tech package & A-Spec package with manual 6 tranny. It was an AMAZING car and bullet proof for me throughout ownership. Priorities changed and i got into several different other vehicles, but I am currently in the market of selling both my current car and truck and purchasing an SUV.

I am currently looking at a 2012 RDX with only 41,000 kms on it and the tech package. Have a couple questions:

Is there a link or a thread where I can find year to year changes for these first generation RDX's? I like to research every vehicle I purchase to a T, and just to make sure I know exactly what I am getting into.

Also...there is one stipulation to me owning this vehicle. It must be able to haul a light snowmobile trailer with 1 or 2 sleds on it. The combined weight of the sleds and the trailer will be no more than 2000 lbs. I will only be hauling this trailer a maximum of 10 times a year...is this the wrong vehicle for me?

Thank you very much for answering these 2 questions acura community!

 

The 1st Gen. RDX isn't a vehicle for towing. 1500lbs towing capacity

https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-2007-2012-147/1500-lbs-towing-capacity-rdx-joke-682273/

http://www.onlinetowingguide.com/gui...apacities.html

 

I see. So even if the hitch has a 4000 lb rating, the vehicle is only rated for 1500 lbs. That is a piss poor rating for a 3900 lb SUV! It may suffice for what I need it for though...

 

ive heard people haul 2500 lbs worth of stuff.. honestly wouldnt go above that.. if you plan to pull around that 2k mark for good measure i would upgrade the tranny cooler and put some good brake pads on it.. the tranny cooler is small and even though the brakes are good i still would want something alittle better.. make sure you keep your transfer case oil changed and i think you would be fine..

 

So for this vehicle to only have a 1500 lb tow rating means that there is obviously a weak link in the driveline. The Vehicle itself ways 3950 lbs dry, which is more than enough to haul a decent load. There is a decent amount of torque and power coming from the engine, more than cars and minivans that have a higher tow rating than the RDX.

Cars and other smaller vehicles with diesel engines have a higher tow rating, with less hp and torque available.

So what is the weak link in the RDX? I would like to ask a technician this question...

 

I meant in Europe, cars and other smaller vehicles with diesel engines have a higher tow rating, with less hp and torque available.

 

I believe Honda generalized their vehicles towing capacity by their engine displayment.
Honda CRV has the same 1500lbs tow capacity as RDX.
But Their hp & tq are different by 50+hp/tq

Well, everybody knows Honda has no torque
Look into MDX. Used price could be close to RDX since their new model just out.

 

A similarily equipped tech package 2012 MDX in my region is $10,000 more. I read that the driver experience is better in the RDX anyways, so its a no brainer for me

 

1500lb is more of a generalization for the rdx.. i think they rated it lower to be safe.. the tranny its self is really well built honda motors didnt wimp out on it since its one of there first motors in production that had the turbo.. they wanted to make sure it lasts.. the driveshaft is alittle light i wouldnt call it the weak link though.. with that said your typical camp trip (within a 100mile drive in the summer) towing 2000 to 2500lbs probably isnt going to kill the vehicle.. but if it was me with peice of mind i would add a bigger tranny cooler and better brake system cause at the end of the day you want a cooler tranny to pull and brakes that will stop the load