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Old 09-25-2018, 01:25 PM   #1
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Tow Vehicle

My son just bought a Starcraft Launch Outfitter 17SB, 3500 lbs GVW. He is pulling it with a 2014 Acura MDX. I think the Acura is rated to tow 3500 and has a 3.5L V6. The acura really strains to pull the trailer (at 6 MPG) and I think he may have to get a different tow vehicle. He has a wife, a son and two dogs and they all go camping. I'm thinking that a pickup truck with a small V8 might be good. Any suggestions about what he should get to accommodate the family and also get reasonable gas mileage?
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Old 09-25-2018, 02:08 PM   #2
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Max tow for the MDX depends on a number of factors including occupants and vehicle options, it's not just one number. See attached to see how Acura is doing the calculations.

All that said, if it feels like the vehicle is struggling and is getting that poor fuel economy it probably is too much trailer. My wife has a Honda Pilot (same platform) and I would never tow near its 4,400LB tow rating. Way too much work for it.

A truck with a small v8 would be fine, a larger SUV (Grand Cherokee with a HEMI, Dodge Durango, Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, etc) would do fine as well.
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Old 09-25-2018, 02:38 PM   #3
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I recommend a F150 2.7 Ecoboost Super Crew, unless they might go bigger in the future.
The F150 SCREW has massive room in the car's rear area.
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Old 09-25-2018, 06:39 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
I recommend a F150 2.7 Ecoboost Super Crew, unless they might go bigger in the future.
The F150 SCREW has massive room in the car's rear area.


I second this. Moving from an Acura, the Screw can be dressed up to equal or exceed the luxury you’re use to. Give them a look. Dodge has some really good options now also. Don’t forget to check out Toyota, also. The guys driving the Tundras really like them.
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Old 09-25-2018, 08:11 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
I recommend a F150 2.7 Ecoboost Super Crew, unless they might go bigger in the future.
The F150 SCREW has massive room in the car's rear area.
Good call on the potential future upgrade. It's not all uncommon for folks to outgrow a smallish coach and want something roomier, only to realize they've already maxed out their tow vehicle.
If they do intend to stick with that trailer, a midsize V6 truck like a Frontier, Tacoma or Colorado with tow packages should fill the bill adequately.
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Old 09-25-2018, 08:39 PM   #6
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Thanks for your inputs. I will pass the info along to my son.
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Old 09-25-2018, 10:44 PM   #7
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Tow Vehicle

When we were pulling with our ‘11 pilot a 4,000 lb highwall pop up, it would strain on hills unless I found the max power point. Towed for 18 months like this and largest problem was altitude.
And pulling hills is where we would get 6 or less mpg.

But...a normal trailer has that high front wall so I can see how the wind resistance can play a large factor.

If he’s only pulling like 6 times a year, I might ride it out but only if the mdx is 4wd cause that much weight off the front end gets scaryClick image for larger version

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Old 09-26-2018, 06:43 AM   #8
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If not going to up grade camper any time soon I would go with any of the 1/2 ton trucks with tow package. New Ram is bigger than last model wider and a little longer in the interior also increased storage. Later RJD
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