Do you think the CX-5 is good vehicule to tow a boat?

[shingo]

I have 600 pound boat, the boat with engines, battery, trailer, fuel weight a total of 1450 pound.

I currently tow it with a honda accord, but I would like a vehicule with more tow capacity and AWD.

The mazda CX-5 is rated for 2000 pound here in canada, so I would think that it would be good.

What do you think?

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Yes, but if you tow often I would take measures to lessen the stress on your car (body/suspension/brakes) over time. Simple things like electric brake for the trailer (water safe type) or a surge brake (more expensive) will reduce stress on the cars body, brakes and suspension. Ride Rite airbag inserts are an easy and cheap for the rear suspension (they just slip in and you can inflate with a bike pump) that will also absorb energy off the rear springs and brakes. If you don't want to be bothered with a brake the ride rite inserts are easy.

 

[CC58]

It will do fine. Couple of tips from manual...

Tow rating is 2000#, but above 1000# trailer brakes are required
Towing before initial 600 miles break in period can cause drive train damage.

In Europe the CX-5 is rated at 3600# with trailer brakes, so I wouldn't worry about 1500#.

 

[shingo]

I called 2 different dealer and they told me it's 2000 pound unbraked for the Canadian version.

 

[CC58]

I called 2 different dealer and they told me it's 2000 pound unbraked for the Canadian version.

I heard the same thing in US, until I bought CX-5 and read the US manual.
Ask dealer to let you look at Canadian manual.

 

[Beefy]

I heard the same thing in US, until I bought CX-5 and read the US manual.
Ask dealer to let you look at Canadian manual.

http://www.mazda.ca/MciWeb/pdf/manuals/2014/2014_CX5_8DB5-EA-13H_Edition1_E.pdf

Page 3-47, total trailer weight is 2000lb.
Page 3-51, trailer brakes required for ttw above 1000lb.

 

[shingo]

http://www.mazda.ca/MciWeb/pdf/manuals/2014/2014_CX5_8DB5-EA-13H_Edition1_E.pdf

Page 3-47, total trailer weight is 2000lb.
Page 3-51, trailer brakes required for ttw above 1000lb.

Go damn the dealership, they are just a bunch of ignorant / or liar.

I ask them 5 time, are you SURE than unbraked trailer of 2000 pound can be towed by the CX-5.

 

[CC58]

Go %^&* the dealership, they are just a bunch of ignorant / or liar.

I ask them 5 time, are you SURE than unbraked trailer of 2000 pound can be towed by the CX-5.

Its a good idea to go braked. If you get into trailer sway situation engaging electric brakes will quickly stop dangerous sway. Sway can cause loss of control AKA wreck.

I looked into converting a trailer axle to braked, and its easy and cheap ($185 per axle). If you have square flange with four holes behind wheel, its easy to do as shown in this etrailer video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOKsU9fhbZ8

etrailer parts source.
http://www.etrailer.com/question-26673.html

Another parts source.
http://www.easternmarine.com/em_store/trailerbrakes/trailerbrakes_ele.html

 

[shingo]

Its a good idea to go braked. If you get into trailer sway situation engaging electric brakes will quickly stop dangerous sway. Sway can cause loss of control AKA wreck.

I looked into converting a trailer axle to braked, and its easy and cheap ($185 per axle). If you have square flange with four holes behind wheel, its easy to do as shown in this etrailer video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOKsU9fhbZ8

etrailer parts source.
http://www.etrailer.com/question-26673.html

Another parts source.
http://www.easternmarine.com/em_store/trailerbrakes/trailerbrakes_ele.html

Is it compatible with boat trailer?

 

[CC58]

Is it compatible with boat trailer?

Probably. Trailers and boats use same axle vendors such as Dexter, etc.
Look for that square plate shown in video.

Do you boat in lakes or ocean? Fresh water would be okay, but salt water probably wouldn't be good for electric brakes.

 

[shingo]

Probably. Trailers and boats use same axle vendors such as Dexter, etc.
Look for that square plate shown in video.

it's more about electricity, rust and water usualy don't mix well.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

it's more about electricity, rust and water usualy don't mix well.

It's just an issue of maintenance, keep the brakes clean and wires lubricated (to repel water). Like any metal product that you operate in the water if you don't maintain it the water/air will get to it.

 

[xtrailman]

I tow a 1565 kg caravan with the diesel car.

In the UK we have a 2000kg braked trailer limit for the diesel, and 1800kg for the 2L petrol, we don't have the 2.5L
Obviously hilly terrain has to be considered.

As for the 600 break in before towing, I towed at 200 miles with no ill effects, though I would have got more miles on if I could, holiday booked was my reason for towing at 200 miles, and it was over relatively flat terrain for around 1.5 hours.