Mazda CX-90 GT-P - Looking to tow 3,500 to 4,000 lbs, any experiance?

[R Hooper]

Hello

My wife and I have put a deposit down on a 21' Taylor Coach Travel Trailer. We have a Mazda CX-90 GT-P (TurboS in the US). We recently did a test trip by renting a slightly bigger trailer in all aspects, weight, length, width and height. It went very well.

I am interesting in hearing any feed back from some who has experience towing with a similar equipped CX-70 or CX-90.

 

[Rosy]

I think you might be right at the limit unless you load very sparsely. GVWR of that trailer is about 80% of the stated towing capacity of the car, which is the max I would go.

The piece of information that's missing is the payload capacity. If the stated dry hitch weight of that trailer of 260 lbs is actually accurate, you may be ok. However, be aware that number doesn't include the weight distributing hitch, battery, spare tire or anything else you add to the front of the trailer. Typical target would be a tongue weight of 10-15% of the trailer weight, so 400-600 lbs if you're at GVWR.

Then the payload capacity of the car also needs to account for the weight of all the people and gear in the car. For a couple, it might work. For a family of 7, it might not.

 

[John&Andrea]

I do not have experience towing with an SUV of any kind or the TT mentioned.
As I look up both SUV and TT, I think you will come in just under the limit.
Don’t speed, keep in mind stopping is the big deal. You don’t want to be towing this bad boy 70-75. I would keep it under 70. Just me.

 

[Rosy]

I do not have experience towing with an SUV of any kind or the TT mentioned.
As I look up both SUV and TT, I think you will come in just under the limit.
Don’t speed, keep in mind stopping is the big deal. You don’t want to be towing this bad boy 70-75. I would keep it under 70. Just me.

My full size half ton pickup truck says not to exceed 65 mph when towing.

 

[R Hooper]

My full size half ton pickup truck says not to exceed 65 mph when towing.

Thanks

Mazda says at this weight keep it under 100 km/hr 62 MPH. When I did my test I stayed at 90 km/hr (56 MPH) accept for the odd burst to change lanes.

 

[R Hooper]

I think you might be right at the limit unless you load very sparsely. GVWR of that trailer is about 80% of the stated towing capacity of the car, which is the max I would go.

The piece of information that's missing is the payload capacity. If the stated dry hitch weight of that trailer of 260 lbs is actually accurate, you may be ok. However, be aware that number doesn't include the weight distributing hitch, battery, spare tire or anything else you add to the front of the trailer. Typical target would be a tongue weight of 10-15% of the trailer weight, so 400-600 lbs if you're at GVWR.

Then the payload capacity of the car also needs to account for the weight of all the people and gear in the car. For a couple, it might work. For a family of 7, it might not.

Mazda says 5000 lbs TTW 10 -15% Lounge. They do not give a specific limit. My payload, I weighed the SUV with full fluids, is 1,800+ lbs. It will be just the two of us 350 lbs winter clothes and soaking wet. When I did my test I used a Blue OX WDH estimated at 75 - 85 lbs depending on bars. With our Kayaks, gear and roof racks and few more items we came in at 320 lbs. (Actual weighed weight). Loads of room for both GVWR and GCWR.

 

[RobertE]

I have no experience towing with that particular vehicle but I have some experience towing equipment as well as travel trailers, and I think there are some rules of thumb that apply.

First and foremost, disregard the manufacturer towing specs. They are always highly overrated. My rule of thumb is divide them by 2. So, I don't think you necessarily have as much room as you might think.

The only 21" Taylor I can find is this one. I don't see how the single axle Apex you show there could be heavier, but no matter. At least it's a dual axle. The dry weight is 2600# the realistic weight is more like 3000#. Hitch weight est 10% or 300#.

Here are your issues as I see it: an SUV is not a "tow" vehicle, regardless of it's ability to tow. If you're just doing short trips, vs. long, how much strain on the motor, trans, turbo.

But, it sounds like you've got a plan, I'm not saying no, all I can say is you're not going to know what you've got until you get out on the road and experience the conditions like cross winds, hills, descents, getting sucked by semi's, etc.

 

[R Hooper]

I have no experience towing with that particular vehicle but I have some experience towing equipment as well as travel trailers, and I think there are some rules of thumb that apply.

First and foremost, disregard the manufacturer towing specs. They are always highly overrated. My rule of thumb is divide them by 2. So, I don't think you necessarily have as much room as you might think.

The only 21" Taylor I can find is this one. I don't see how the single axle Apex you show there could be heavier, but no matter. At least it's a dual axle. The dry weight is 2600# the realistic weight is more like 3000#. Hitch weight est 10% or 300#.

Here are your issues as I see it: an SUV is not a "tow" vehicle, regardless of it's ability to tow. If you're just doing short trips, vs. long, how much strain on the motor, trans, turbo.

But, it sounds like you've got a plan, I'm not saying no, all I can say is you're not going to know what you've got until you get out on the road and experience the conditions like cross winds, hills, descents, getting sucked by semi's, etc.

 

[R Hooper]

Hello, thank you for your post.

I will admit there is a lot I do not know. The fact that this is a brand new vehicle for Mazda, 3rd year of sales, New Engine 3.3 L Straight Six 340 HP, 369 Ftlbs. New Transmission and Rear Wheal Drive Chassis.

I have made a test drive. We rented a trailer slightly longer, higher and heavier (22' L, 90" W, 120" Tall, 4,300 lb loaded). I monitored info with a scan gage 3. I have towed many race trailers, the biggest being a 32" 18,000+ lb triple axel enclosed trailer. Towed with a Ram 3500 Cummins Crew Cab Dually. This was less effected.

My test went better then I thought. We had significant winds for our trip to our destination. There was zero sway the entire trip. The braking was very similar to no load. We did a 3.5km 7% grade hill. Coolant, Engine Oil and Tranny temp all stayed in normal range on a very hot 30C+ day.

The vehicle is 5000 lb without WDH or payload (weighed on a certified scale) 123" WB. It is a solid platform for the trailer I was towing.

What I do not know is how well the vehicle will last with these loads.