Tow trailing my NSX. Will a SLX do the trick ?

[apapada]

Hello,

I'm in the process of looking for a tow vehicle to pull my NSX to the tracks or events (like NSXPO this year). To make a long story short, I've agreed with my significant other that the tow vehicle would be an acura (don't ask why, please ) and the problem seems to be only the SLX (rebadged Isuzu Trooper) has the required towing capacity of 4,500/5,000 lbs.
What I'd like to hear about is:
1-experience from current/previous SLX owners and general thoughts on focusing on this vehicle to start with.
2- Also, there is a nice one here but it's far from me (SC) and was wondering if anyone lives near enough and wouldn't mind to check it out for me.

thank you in advance

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

I towed with Isuzu trooper before the 3.5L ones which is the same engine as SLX. It is very strong for it's engine and should tow your NSX and trailer with no problem. I towed through the mountains as well.

 

[nsxtasy]

I towed with Isuzu trooper before the 3.5L ones which is the same engine as SLX.

Same engine??? It was the same vehicle!!! The SLX was simply a re-badged Trooper. Unfortunately, it has Isuzu levels of reliability.

What about a new MDX? Towing capacity is 4500 pounds, which should be plenty.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

I'm confused

is the acura SLX and Honda Passport and isuzu trooper the same car?? Then if so, what's the difference on all of them??

See, I think I'm an Honda fan/freak, and I didn't even know anything about them... (lets not talk about like them or not.)

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

What do you mean Isuzu reliability? My brother own a 1997 Isuzu trooper since new with zero problem to date. It has 120K miles with a few tow, and a few long trips lilke to Baja, Mexico.

All cars in our family has been maintained religiously.

 

[apapada]

Re: I'm confused

is the acura SLX and Honda Passport and isuzu trooper the same car?? Then if so, what's the difference on all of them??

Acura SLX = Isuzu Trooper
Honda Passport = Isuzu Rodeo

 

[apapada]

What about a new MDX? Towing capacity is 4500 pounds, which should be plenty.

I'm afraid it is a no-go for the MDX...

From the Manufacturer's website

TOWING

The maximum specified towing capacity advertised for some competitor vehicles actually limits the number of passengers to one. When the MDX is equipped with optional coolers for the automatic transmission and the power steering, its 3500 lb. trailer- and 4500 lb. boat-towing capacities are each calculated to include up to four passengers and their cargo too.


it seems it can only tow 3,500 lbs unless it's a boat.

 

[NSXLuvr]

Why does it have to be an Acura

the SLX is your ONLY choice if it has to be a Honda/Acura. I have owned a MDX and wouldn't tow more than 2000 lbs with it. Heck my 04 Seinna has a higher tow rating than the MDX.

 

[nsxtasy]

What do you mean Isuzu reliability?

 

[nsx1164]

I'm afraid it is a no-go for the MDX...

From the Manufacturer's website

TOWING

The maximum specified towing capacity advertised for some competitor vehicles actually limits the number of passengers to one. When the MDX is equipped with optional coolers for the automatic transmission and the power steering, its 3500 lb. trailer- and 4500 lb. boat-towing capacities are each calculated to include up to four passengers and their cargo too.

it seems it can only tow 3,500 lbs unless it's a boat.

I've been told (dealer) that the lower limit (3500 lbs) typically refers to "closed trailers" (e.g., a U-Haul trailer which can have a higher load center), whereas the higher limit (4500 lb) is OK for boats and other "lower to the ground" type trailer configurations.

There IS a built-in safety factor to these estimates as well.

 

[JPS Europa]

We used to tow a boat with a Trooper. It was a a trimaran, which did not weigh all that much but had plenty of windage. We blew the automatic trans. It just would get too hot, even with the cooler. So, I would not recommend this rig for extended towing with the auto, especially if you have some long grades where it might build up heat. Short distances should be no problem.

 

[AATA]

I personally would not recommend such a light vehicle to tow the NSX. They give a max, but do you really want to run it at the max. It's like running the NSX at 8,000 all the time. It's not a question of if it will ruin the tranny.. it's when. Can it be done yes... Has it been done yes...Safe? It's not all the motor and tanny that decide how much weight it can tow, it's how heavy the vehicle is. As a reference, a 1/2 ton Suburban/Yukon can tow more than the 1/2 ton trucks.

 

[apapada]

Why does it have to be an Acura

Like I said in my original post...

I've agreed with my significant other that the tow vehicle would be an acura (don't ask why, please)

 

[apapada]

I personally would not recommend such a light vehicle to tow the NSX.

light vehicle ? the SLX is rated at 4,500/5,000 towing capacity well beyond what I need. Have you seen what they use in Europe to tow their NSX ? I personnaly think a SLX/Trooper is just fine tow capacity wise...

They give a max, but do you really want to run it at the max. It's like running the NSX at 8,000 all the time. It's not a question of if it will ruin the tranny.. it's when. Can it be done yes... Has it been done yes...Safe? It's not all the motor and tanny that decide how much weight it can tow, it's how heavy the vehicle is. As a reference, a 1/2 ton Suburban/Yukon can tow more than the 1/2 ton trucks.

your opinion is noted and received. Thank you

 

[nsxtasy]

I assumed AATA's response was directed at my suggestion of the MD-X, rather than your initial inquiry about the SLX. But without a quote from either of us in his post, it was indeed ambiguous...

 

[apapada]

Ken,

I'm not trying to be spacstic here but AATA replied right after "JPS Europa" who was refering to the Trooper. Hence I'm assuming he's replying to that post and refering to the Trooper.

 

[nsxtasy]

That makes sense.

In any case, it appears that the SLX has the best chance of towing an NSX, but that there are other non-Acura/Honda models with greater towing capacity than that that might be a better bet. If that is an option for you, which it may not be.

 

[AATA]

I'm refering to any sport utility that has a towing capacity in the 4-5,000 range. Maybe I see it different, but I don't think 4,500lbs max is very much. We used to tow our 21' ski boat (probably weighs less than the NSX and trailer) with a minivan that had a 4.6 L V6. Once you have all your stuff and people in the car you can only do 40-50 up grades. If you like driving that slow then more power to you...or should I say less. I personally like to go at least the speed limit. This is just my opinion. You are better off with a tahoe or something

 

[digimanoc]

personally, I wouldn't even think of towing a loaded car trailer with anything Acura makes...especially the Izusu stuff. Pulling power is only one aspect of towing, there is braking to consider too. A friend of mine broke down while we were out fourwheeling one time, he had a tow bar on the front of his FJ-40 Land Cruiser and thought "no big deal". He asked me to tow him with my Jeep, which I politely told him "NO WAY, I DON'T WANT TO DIE" and explained to him that our 2 vehicles were too close is wheelbase and weight for me to be able to tow him safely. Well, he didn't like that answer and went to someone else in our group and thy agreed to tow him...they had a Land Cruiser too! I tried to tell them NOT to do it, but they wouldn't listen to me. Well, about half way home we had to transition from one freeway to another via a clover leaf style ramp......they couldn't turn at the speed they were going and BOTH trucks went off the side of the road and destroyed them both..luckily no one was hurt.

you need a truck that has a long wheelbase to stabilize the load, you need a truck that has strong brakes(trailer brakes DO fail), You need suspension that is designed for towing, and lastly you need pulling power.

Just my2¢

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

The Isuzu Trooper has plenty of towing capabilities for NSX and an open trailer. I was towing through the grapevine on highway 5 going over 60 mph with no problem.

I do agree that there are better tow vehicle out there. But if you looking for an SUV you can drive daily, and can tow occasionally, I think it would suffice.

I bought an F350 for towing. There is no way I'm driving the truck for other purpose than towing.

 

[apapada]

The Isuzu Trooper has plenty of towing capabilities for NSX and an open trailer. I was towing through the grapevine on highway 5 going over 60 mph with no problem.

I do agree that there are better tow vehicle out there. But if you looking for an SUV you can drive daily, and can tow occasionally, I think it would suffice.

If I understand you correctly, you were a Trooper owner who used it to tow his X. If this is correct, this is exactly the type of answers I am looking for. thank you

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

I never owned the trooper. It is my brother's. I borrowed it for occasional towing, and he use it to travel all over. He bought it since new, and no problem so far. 120K miles on the clock. It was pretty good car, and for the price of a used one, I was considering getting one for my towing and daily driver. However, I'm thinking ahead that I might have big enclosed trailer that fits 2 cars, so I decided to get the F350.

 

[the nsxnut]

I also tow my NSX to the track now, and actually have many years experience towing from working in the boat business in the past, and owning a boat... I will reiterate the comments of AATA... If a V6 Trooper, (SLX) has a tow rating of 4500lbs, then you are likely already going to be over that threshold with an NSX on a trailer. Alex, your '92 NSX is probably around 3000lbs (+/-). A typical steel car carrier trailer is about 1500lbs. A lighter weight aluminum trailer (more$) can be around 1000-1100 lbs. The very best lightwieght alum. trailers (big $) can get down to about 900lbs. You will not find a trailer suitable for carrying an NSX that is less than that. So, you end up with a towed load that is 100% of the tow vehicle capacity. First, the tranny will break (the SLX doesn't have a tran. cooler, does it?). Then, the brakes will give up. In general, you will significantly shorten the life of the tow vehicle by using it at max capacity. Not to mention, the outright safety implications of towing a package that wieghs as much as the tow vehicle... it becomes very tricky to stop! In general, it is agreed that the tow vehicle should outwiegh the towed package (commercial applications not withstanding). I would not deny Andrie's experience, but if he hasn't 'lived' with a Trooper for the long term, and towed over a period of years, he hasn't seen the potential problems that will develop. Andrie is also a good enough driver that he might be able to make up for the vehicle's shortcomings with technique...

I tow with a Ford E350 super duty Van (Alex has seen it) that is equipped with tranny cooler, oil cooler, p/s cooler, bigger radiator, bigger brakes, class IV hitch, total package rated for 10,000 lb towing capacity. My NSX (2900LBS empty) rides on an 1100 lb all aluminum race trailer with tandem axles and 4-wheel brakes. Can you tow with less? Sure. Do you want to?

If you have to have an Acura (understandable), go ahead with the SLX, but plan on replacing it with another SLX in 2 years...

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

I agree with what Mark said. And thanks for the compliment, although I am not sure if my driving skill has anything to do with towing

Trans cooler is a must. We had it installed in the trooper. The towing limit on the trooper is 5000lbs. The bigger the better when it comes to towing. Just make sure if you want to live with the big tow vehicle daily or not.

 

[apapada]

I managed to talk my sweet wife into getting something bigger, that _I_ would be driving instead of her (she'll keep her beloved Jetta). How does something like a G20 Van (towing rating 7,000) sounds for towing my X ? Has anyone ever towed an X or other car with one of these ?