Acura MDX2017 - Driving; Towing a Trailer; Towing Load Limits

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DRIVINGDRIVING
Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded trailer
on the hitch should be approximately:
Boat trailers: 5-15% of the total trailer weight.
Other trailers: 10-15% of total trailer weight.
Tongue Loa d
Tongue load
Number of
occupants
AWD models
2WD models
2 500 lbs (227 kg) 350 lbs (159 kg)
3 475 lbs (215 kg) 325 lbs (147 kg)
4 380 lbs (172 kg) 300 lbs (136 kg)
5 290 lbs (132 kg) 260 lbs (118 kg)
6 165 lbs (75 kg) 140 lbs (63 kg)
7 Towing not recommended
Estimate tongue load
Excessive tongue load reduces front tire traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
You can estimate the tongue load by measuring the trailer hitch height from the
ground in the following steps:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch.
3. Connect the fully loaded trailer to the hitch.
4. Measure the distance between the ground and the bottom of the trailer hitch
again.
5. Subtract the second measurement from the first measurement, then refer to
the following table.
If the difference is AWD models 2WD models
1 inches (2.5 cm)
150 lbs (68 kg)
1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) 250 lbs (114 kg)
2 inches (5.1 cm) 350 lbs (159 kg)
2 3/8 inches (6.0 cm) 450 lbs (205 kg) —
2 5/8 inches (6.7 cm) 500 lbs (227 kg) —
If the difference becomes more than indicated in the table, distribute the load or
remove cargo as needed.
Weigh trailer loads using a public scale
Check each weight in the order indicated as shown.
Refer to the table below for each weight’s limit except for the tongue load.
Weight limit for
Front gross axle
2,811 lbs
(1,275 kg)
2,910 lbs
(1,320 kg)
Gross vehicle
5,368 lbs
(2,435 kg)
5,677 lbs
(2,575 kg)
Rear gross axle
2,734 lbs
(1,240 kg)
2,965 lbs
(1,345 kg)
Gross combined
8,036 lbs
(3,645 kg)
9,833 lbs
(4,460 kg)
AWD models2WD models
• If you cannot weigh the rear axle, subtract 1 from 2.
• The maximum gross combined weight (4) decreases by 2% for every 1,000 feet
(305 meters) of elevation.
• To calculate the tongue load, subtract 5 from 6.
• Refer to the trailer owner’s manual for additional information.
1. Front gross axle weight
2. Gross vehicle weight
3. Rear gross axle weight
4. Gross combined weight
5. Hitched trailer weight
6. Unhitched trailer weight