Items Needed to Equip 2005 Acura MDX with Brake Controller for Towing Travel Trailer  

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Helpful Expert Reply:

We can help you get your 2005 Acura MDX ready for towing your travel trailer. The maximum rated towing capacity for the vehicle is 4500-lbs but you can check your owner's manual to make certain your particular MDX has the needed capacity for your 3500-lb trailer.

Since your travel trailer has what's called a 7-way RV-style plug that includes a circuit for trailer brakes (please see the linked photo) you will need to install a mating 7-way socket on the MDX. This will carry all of the trailer lighting signals as well as the power for the trailer's electric drum brakes. You will also need a trailer brake controller like the easy-to-use Prodigy P2 # 90885.

You'll install the P2 using our installation kit # ETBC7. This kit contains the 7-way socket, wiring, connectors and all parts needed to install the brake controller. You'll also use the 4-pole plug-in harness # 118336 that connects at the 4-prong connector on the car. These three items are all you need for wiring and trailer brakes.

Towing also requires a hitch, ball mount and hitch ball. You can use Curt hitch # 13328 and ball mount # C45030. Then choose a ball to match the trailer's coupler size; for a 2-inch ball use part # 63845; for a 2-5/16-inch ball use # 63847.

I have linked several helpful articles concerning hitch installation, brake controllers and trailer towing.

You may also want to invest in two towing mirrors like # KS3891 to give you a wider field of view behind the MDX. I linked our main page for towing mirrors and you can use the drop-down menu tool at the top of the page to select your factory mirror style to then see suitable mirror options.

expert reply by: Adam R

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