CX-9 Real world towing question

[mau5_h3ad]

Hello
We purchased a 2013 CX-9 Touring a few months ago without the tow package and have since added a hitch to tow a pop up trailer we will be purchasing this week. I wanted to reach out to the community to get feedback on your experiences with towing. The trailer we are buying has a dry weight of ~1600 lb and I would imagine with gear that will put us slightly above the *reccomended* 2000 lb capacities. We are planning on adding a trans cooler and possibly an oil cooler to boost our max to the 3500. We live in Arizona and the terrain is pretty flat here but we plan on camping up north where the elevation is a steady climb of 4000 ft. The trailer we are buying is equipped with brakes, so a brake controller will be purchased in the next month or so. Does anyone on this site tow a popup with their CX? If so, whats the weight and do you feel a weight distribution hitch and anti sway is a must?
Also want to reach out to the folks who outfitted their stock CX with an aftermarket hitch, trans cooler. Which brand/model did you go with? Thanks for the help and I look forward to the responses.

 

[eskimo0101]

I'll be towing my 3000lb boat for the first time probably this weekend. That's 3k all in, trailer, boat and fuel. 12 CX9 AWD with the 3500lb capacity. I went with the Reese hitch (search for the thread) and the factory trailer wiring harness.

In your case the mountains would really scare me. All the guys from the boat forum I'm on who tow out there don't dare get close to their tow ratings. Here in WNY I'm towing 10 miles to the boat launch over all flat land so I'm not that concerned with being near capacity.

 

[Brucie66]

Although I've not towed with my CX9; I have towed my 3100 lb travel trailer for 9 years with my 03 MPV.
I can tell YA with confidence... The 9 can handle your pup with ease in any area in the country!!! Go out and camp!!!

 

[voldsom]

OP, you've probably already seen this thread, but in case you haven't I'll leave it here:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123838328-Who-is-towing-with-their-CX-9

and Welcome to the forum! (drinks)

 

[eskimo0101]

Although I've not towed with my CX9; I have towed my 3100 lb travel trailer for 9 years with my 03 MPV.
I can tell YA with confidence... The 9 can handle your pup with ease in any area in the country!!! Go out and camp!!!

The fact that you regularly towed something 1100 lbs over the tow rating of your MPV is enough to tell me I wouldn't take your advice.

 

[Brucie66]

Ok then,,,, had it set up professionaly BTW. Just tried to convey the 9 would be fine.
My MPV never let me down and with tow package and WDH... Rated @ 3500 lbs.... BUTT HEAD!!! Get your facts straight!!

 

[eskimo0101]

As promised, got some towing in today.

Plenty of power off the line and getting up to 65 on the highway. Really wish it had an OD lockout though because with even slight inclines it's hunting between 5th and 6th when left in D. Put it in manual mode and locked it to 5th but then I have to downshift for steeper hills (luckily there aren't any between my house and the boat launch we use most of the time). Brakes felt fine hauling it down from 65 and the 2950lb load is un-braked.

 

[mau5_h3ad]

As promised, got some towing in today.

Plenty of power off the line and getting up to 65 on the highway. Really wish it had an OD lockout though because with even slight inclines it's hunting between 5th and 6th when left in D. Put it in manual mode and locked it to 5th but then I have to downshift for steeper hills (luckily there aren't any between my house and the boat launch we use most of the time). Brakes felt fine hauling it down from 65 and the 2950lb load is un-braked.

Great to hear that our little Mazdas are capable TVs. Boat looks great! Still have not picked up this Rockwood 1910 PUP, however I do plan on installing a transmission cooler before I do any serious climbs up to the Grand Canyon. Ive been looking on amazon and the go to choice seems to be the Hayden Inc brand. Has anyone installed one of these in their CX? If so, which model?
Thanks for all the great responses!

 

[IslandTractor]

I wouldn't bother with a transmission cooler to tow a 2000lb load. I have no idea where Mazda came up with the 2000lb limit as I believe virtually every other car/CUV in this class has a 3500lb limit or more. I used my CX9 with Class 3 hitch to tow a number of loads between 2000-3500lbs and the car handles it fine. Barely know a 2000lb load is there except under hard acceleration.