jpw94

Curt indeed has a 2013 RDX Class III hitch. I have one on my RDX (2013) of 1 week old.

musty hustla

I wonder if there are simple mods (trans/steering/oil coolers) can improve towing capacity or does the lack of low end torque make it pointless?

aquaholik

Can you post some pictures? Does it stick out past the bumper much? I have U-Haul ordered me a Curt hitch class III from etrailer and wiring harness. They are charging about $70 to install and warrant it for life so total cost is about $280 plus tax. I am only towing a small 15 ft boat that weighs no more than 1200lbs.

jpw94

I'll get some pics as soon as I can. It does NOT stick out past the bumper.
Even my sales guy a the dealer wants pics so he can recommend the Curt to customers looking to upgrade their hitch class.

buzzdsm

Cn these 2013 RDXs pull more thn 1500lbs? I'd really like to think that 270+hp rdx can pull more then my wife's old 160 hp Nissan rogue.

rosen39

The 2" hitches can handle 3,500 lbs but if you look at the frame of the RDX where it is bolted to, you will see why they limit the trailer load to 1,700 lbs. It is not a "robust" frame.

ESteid

Rosen39 is right. Remember that CUV's are by definition built on car frames.

The accord/TSX with V6 can only tow 1,000lbs.

juice13

So it's time to update our hitch sitch(uation).

We've had the Acura class 1 (1500lbs/150lbs) for over a year and it's been great for the Yakima Double Down bike rack and the Drawtite cargo hauler.

But... it seems the Class 1 is getting in the way of renting a decent sized cargo trailer from Uhaul. Even if you don't tow more than the 1500lbs they don't recommend anything less than a Class 2 hitch since the 5x8 trailer weighs 850lbs already.

Which Hitch?

So we have a Curt Class 2 hitch with the 1 and 1/4 inch receiver coming in the mail. Tow rating of 3500lbs (which is PLENTY considering that's more than double the recommended by Acura) and a 5 inch riser drawbar.

Our bike rack and cargo hauler will still fit and we can actually rent a decent trailer.

Unless I've missed something, I don't see the advantage of a Class 3 hitch unless you already own 2 inch attachments (bike rack, drawbar, cargo hauler, camping toilet, etc...)

I'll update after the removal of the OE hitch and installation of the Curt.

rosen39

Yes, you are correct. Your new 1 1/4 inch class II received has the same towing and tongue weight specs as some of the 2 inch class II receivers. Much more than the car can handle. If all your drawbars are 1 1/4", then you are all set.

mrfuni

Ordered Curt hitch and lighting harness from etrailer. Delivered in less than a week, installed last night in 20 minutes. Easy with two so one can balance while the other screws in the bolts. Perfect clearance didn't need to move anything. Really looks "hidden" and works perfectly with my 2 bike rack. Wiring easy "plug and play." Save over $130 over uhaul.

juice13

Removed Acura OE hitch and put it next to the Curt Class 2 (1 1/4inch) before install.

etrailer order:
1 Curt Class II Drawbar - 5 Rise - 9-5/8 Long - 3 500 Lbs 1 0
1 56008 T-connector Wiring Harness - Acura Rdx 1 0
1 Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Class II - 1-1/4 1 0
1 Trailer Hitch Ball - 2x3/4x2-1/8 - 3500 Lb Chrome 1 0
1 Curt Rubber Tube Cover - 1-1/4 X 1-1/4 1 0


The Acura hitch is nearly twice as heavy as the Curt. Please note the serious bracket that the Acura hitch uses to bolt THROUGH the cargo floor. Curt only has two bolts per side. Wish Acura had rated this as a Class 2, which it certainly looks capable of (with the exception of the reinforced receiver tube)

Curt hitch install notes:
Easy peasy, nothing to it compared to the Acura. We had to drop the muffler to get the Acura one out.

Wiring harness install notes:
20AMP fuse under the hood is required for trailer lights to function (thanks to the other post on this)

Curt does look good with the smaller chain loops and the reinforced receiver lip.

Curt 1 and 1/4 receiver tube is a little larger than the Acura tube so the accessories don't fit quite as snug. Not too excited about using the Curt strap on the Yakima bike carrier.





With 5 inch riser attached to 5X8 trailer in the mountains (thanks AWD!):



After 5 hours down the mountain:

mrfuni

Quote:

Can you expand on this comment, didn't see it in another post. Thank you.

rosen39

Although it keeps the hitch out of sight, Acura receiver tube looks like it would bend under an extreme load compared to the Curt. The frame of the vehicle (not the hitch) prevents the load rating from being higher than the 1,700 lbs. it is.

juice13

Every sticker, manual and website says 1500 lbs on our US spec car.

And if you were given the choice to be dangled from one of these receivers over a pit of lava, after seeing both in person I guarantee you would pick the Acura one. That round tube is three times the thickness of the Curt square tube.

But yes, no reinforcement around the very end of the tube is disappointing.

juice13

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rdx-2013-2018-404/trailer-hitch-wiring-890894/

Of course we tried to pull up the right side wheel well first before reading this. As stated above, the connector is conveniently located in the left side panel.

ESteid

Another note, After pulling up all of the floor parts I tried to run the wiring through an existing gromet to the bumper, but it is not long enough.

rosen39

Hey juice13, how high above the lava pit would I be dangling???

rosen39

You are correct. It is a 1,500 lb. load limit. I thought I read something higher, but that could have been a hitch for a different car I was shopping for.

ribs

I installed a CURT 2" (Class III) hitch myself and it took 45 minutes and it looks great - just like, if not better than, the OEM hitch. The only tool required in-advance for any DIY install is a $25.00 Torque wrench (available in many discount hardware stores, like Harbor Freight Tools, where I bought mine).

This hitch costs $129.00 and can be bought online at AutoAnything, with free shipping to your door. There were NO modifications required to the vehicle. Just line it up underneath, install the supplied bolts and nuts, torque to spec. and you're done. Best of all, you get the 2" receiver size, which allows most anything (bike rack or hitch) to be popped-in.

5 Acuras

iTrader: (1)

Please post pics of the finished product. Also, earlier posts mentioned having to pull on the bumper cover for the install, was that for yours or the OEM one? Thanks

andysinnh

Great thread here. I'm looking to get the Curt hitch with the 2" receiver to bolt onto my RDX for hauling a light utility trailer to the dump from time to time, and also to carry my StowAway2 rear cargo carrier I've had for many years. It's not the hauling capacity of the Class 3 I need, but rather the 2" receiver for the stuff I've standardized on. Instructions show 4-bolts holding it in place (and you don't need to drop exhaust/shields like I did on the MDX - so that's a bonus) so this should be a quick job like Ribs described. I found a retailer on eBay that will send the hitch and the Curt T wiring harness for $150 shipped - so I will go that route (it's over $170 at etrailer). Will take some photos and post once I do the install.

andy

5 Acuras

iTrader: (1)

Andy, any updates on the install and comments on the hitch? Thanks

5 Acuras

iTrader: (1)

OK just installed the CURT hitch, took about an hour total by myself and 2 jack stands to hold it in place while I bolted it to the frame. Connected the wiring to the connector inside the panel on the driver side rather than using the instructions that came with the kit. Much easier since I wont be doing everyday towing. $150 total, free 2 day delivery too.

5 Acuras

iTrader: (1)

One thing: the instructions don't mention that you need to insert a fuse in the red connector piece AND in the fuse slot under the hood. They only give you one fuse so I guessed that the inline fuse is also a 10. If I'm wrong on the fuse size please advise. Thanks