If you own or are considering an Acura RL and you’re looking to pull your rig, you’re probably wondering: can an Acura RL tow a trailer?
Yes, an Acura RL can tow a trailer or camper up to 1,000 pounds.
There are additional factors you’ll need to consider when towing a trailer with an Acura RL which we’ll cover below.
Towing A Camper With An Acura RL
So, can an Acura RL tow a trailer? Yes: the Acura RL towing capacity is 1,000 pounds, so as long as your trailer, camper, toy hauler, travel trailer, or pop-up camper is under 1,000 lbs your Acura RL can successfully tow it.
Now we need to explore the additional factors you’ll need to keep in mind when towing a trailer with your Acura RL.
Acura RL Tow Package
Does The Acura RL Come With A Tow Package?
The Acura RL does not automatically come with a tow package inRLuded, so you’ll need to add one yourself or have one installed professionally.
Acura RL Trailer Towing: What Do I Need?
At minimum you’ll need a trailer hitch and wiring harness to tow your camper behind your Acura RL.
Do I Need A Brake Controller To Pull A Camper With An Acura RL?
If your travel trailer or camper has electronic brakes then you’ll also need a brake controller to send a signal from your vehiRLe to the brakes on your trailer.
Most states have laws stating that any trailer over 3,000 pounds must have a brake controller, but check with your state for specifics.
You should not need a brake controller because the Acura RL can only tow up to 1,000 pounds.
Acura RL Towing Package Cost
Acura RL Trailer Hitch & Wiring Harness Cost
Acura RL trailer hitches run between $250-$325.
Take a look at this recommended Acura RL Hitch Kit:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. With a strong, welded steel build, this class 1 hitch is rated for 2,000 lbs. gross trailer weight and 200 lbs. tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- HIGHLY VERSATILE. Add useful, versatile towing options to your vehicle with this class 1 trailer hitch. It provides a standard 1-1/4-inch x 1-1/4-inch receiver hitch, allowing you to tow a small trailer or mount a cargo carrier or bike rack
- DUAL-COAT FINISH. For industry-leading rust, chip and UV resistance inside and out, this aftermarket tow hitch kit is submersed in a liquid A-coat and co-cured with a durable black powder coat finish
- EASY INSTALLATION. This class 1 hitch is designed to factory fit select model years of the Acura RL
- TESTED FOR SAFETY. Each CURT class 1 trailer hitch design is thoroughly tested, using real vehicles in real-world conditions. Our hitches are tested to SAE J684 specifications for safety on the road ahead
An Acura RL trailer hitch wiring harness runs between $20-$50.
- Towing Harness for Acuma MDX :This custom fit pilot towing wiring is designed to fit select years(1996-2008) of the Acura, RL, TL, CL, Integra, Honda Accord, CR-V, Element, Odyssey, Pilot, Prelude, Isuzu Oasis(factory tow package required)
- Standard 4 Way Plug. Odyssey Trailer Wiring Kit provides a 4-way flat trailer connector at the back of your vehicle to power your trailer's signal lights. 4-flat trailer wiring can be used to connect trailer tail lights, brake signal lights and turn signals
- Dust Cover. Corrosion-resistant 4 pin connector is easy to grip, equipped with a rubber dust cover to protect the socket from water and dust when not in use, premium tin-plated copper terminals makes great conductivity
- Durable Construction. Trailer Tail Light Converter of this odyssey trailer harness is made of high strength and good toughness ABS plastic. With advanced manufacturing technology, the trailer adapter is with high reliability and high performance
- Easy Installation. Simple Plug and Play design makes fairly easy installation, No Cutting or Splicing Required! Directly plug the custom connector into the existing factory harness on your Honda or Acura vehicle
Acura RL Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
Expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed on your Acura RL (including the hitch and wiring harness).
Acura RL Brake Controller Cost
Acura RL brake controllers cost between $100-200 for the part, and up to $250 for the installation of the brake controller.
Can You Put A Trailer Hitch On An Acura RL? Acura RL Tow Package Installation
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a good video walkthrough showing how to install a tow hitch on an Acura RL:
What Else Will I Need To Pull A Trailer With My Acura RL?
Depending on what trailer or camper you’ll be pulling with your Acura RL, you may opt for a suspension enhancement kit to reduce rear-end sag and to improve your ride quality and stability.
Additionally, if your trailer or camper has electric brakes then you’ll need a 7-way connector and brake controller kit.
What Can Acura RL Tow?
Your Acura RL can pull a trailer, camper, trailer, travel trailer, toy hauler, or pop-up camper under 1,000 pounds which is going to be most ultra lightweight campers.
The Acura RL can safely tow the following travel trailer and camper models under 1,000 lbs:
- Taylor Coach 8’ Lil El
- Riverside Retro
- Avan Weekender
- SoCal Buzz
- ProLite Suite
This is by no means a full list, but the above are some popular examples of trailers and campers that can be towed by an Acura RL.
When determining what travel trailers you can pull behind your Acura RL, you’ll want to know the following specs:
- UVM (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) aka Dry Weight: This is the weight of a trailer as it’s manufactured at the factory. This figure includes all the weight including the axles and hitch of your trailer or camper.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): This is the maximum weight of your personal belongings that can be added. This is the GVWR minus the UVM, full fresh water tank weight, and full LP (liquid propane) gas weight. In other words, CCC = GWVR – (UVM + water + gas).
- Tongue Weight aka Hitch Weight: This is the amount of weight that’s pressing down on your vehicle’s hitch or 5th wheel connection when your travel trailer or camper is fully loaded for travel.
The most important factor to look for is the dry weight or UVM of your travel trailer or camper and making sure it’s below 1,000 lbs so your Acura RL can safely tow it.
Understand that if it’s close to that number, you must also factor in any additional weight added to your trailer via cargo, water, or propane tanks and make sure the total does not exceed 1,000 pounds.
Acura RL Towing Capacity
So, how much can an Acura RL tow?
The Acura RL towing capacity is 1,000 pounds.
- Acura RL Towing Capacity: 1,000 lbs
- Acura RL GVWR: 5,050 lbs
You’ll want to pay attention to the following specs to make sure your Acura RL can tow your camper or travel trailer:
- CGWR (Combined Gross Weight Rating): This is the max allowable weight including your vehicle, cargo, passengers, and the trailer.
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is the maximum weight capacity of your vehicle including the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo without a trailer or camper attached. Exceeding either or both of the Acura RL GVWR or Acura RL towing capacity can damage the vehicle.
Can An Acura RL Tow A Camper? Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully this guide helped you to understand that yes, you can tow a camper with an Acura RL as long as you pay close attention to the total weight (the camper or travel trailer must be under 1,000 pounds).
Most Acura RL models don’t come with a towing package installed, so you’ll need to add one to the vehicle. Once complete, you’re ready to hit the road and get camping!
What hitch and wiring harness did you choose for your Acura RL, and what camper or trailer are you towing with it? How did the hitch installation go? Let your fellow campers know in the comments below.
While you’re here, check out our other helpful RV repair guides:
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