Tow Vehicle Question

YoungKopernik · 11-12-2012, 07:50 PM

I am lucky enough to have just purchased a 28-XtraLights-BSer. My issue comes with my tow vehicle, the dealer said most anything would tow it but I cant find any info on my Mazda Miada’s tow ability. I know the wheel base is a little short at 71inches but I am getting a weight distribution w/double sway control. I have the 1.4L and its only me and my chinchilla and I figure not loading up my trunk and only filling the gas-tank half full should save about 41lbs. Has anyone done much towing with a Miada? I am supposed to pick up the trailer this weekend after final inspection and hitch is installation. Any input would be appreciated, I saw somewhere that a trans-cooler is good but I have a manual trans do I still need one? Oh ya one more, any info on good extending side mirrors would be great, I think I need somewhere around 3ft extenders.
Thank for all your input, I know we can all be full of it, before hand
See ya on the road all
Not John

TURBS · 11-12-2012, 07:54 PM

I think maybe watch about 15 episodes of the red green show and you'll have all your answers.

Turbs

TTNewbees · 11-12-2012, 08:45 PM

Actually with that set-up you are good to go! The miata (not miada) has an 89.2", not 71" wheelbase. Perfect for downhill and flat tows, may struggle going through big horn mountain pass.

dwaynerz · 11-12-2012, 09:19 PM

red green show rocks. a 28' camper and you plan on pulling with a miata??? please see attached video

Small car, big camper - YouTube

Twisty · 11-12-2012, 11:21 PM

My Ex-wife wanted a Mazada...

dwaynerz · 11-13-2012, 05:54 PM

didid you get her one?

DDC · 11-13-2012, 06:08 PM

You can use the Red Green special duck tape and some toilet roll tubes and a shoe box put them all together and insert a heater motor from an old car, connect it to the intake and use it as a supercharger, this is sure to get you up hills and over dales.

alphadog99 · 11-25-2012, 11:06 PM

I am looking at replacing our 2500HD Duramax with a SmartCar to save money on fuel. We are towing a 35' Rockwood TT which runs about 7700 pounds. I plan to use the same Reese Dual Cam WD hitch from the truck, but I think I'll have to turn the shank upside down and remount the head unit. Does anyone know if they make airbags for the SmartCar? We have a trip planned to Colorado this Spring. I'll keep everyone updated on our progress. Cheers!

Len & Cheri · 11-26-2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadog99

I am looking at replacing our 2500HD Duramax with a SmartCar to save money on fuel. We are towing a 35' Rockwood TT which runs about 7700 pounds. I plan to use the same Reese Dual Cam WD hitch from the truck, but I think I'll have to turn the shank upside down and remount the head unit. Does anyone know if they make airbags for the SmartCar? We have a trip planned to Colorado this Spring. I'll keep everyone updated on our progress. Cheers!

I'd think you'd be much better off with a setup like this. No WD system to mess with, plus not as much weight on the Smartcar

I'd recommend you get a tuner and cold air intake system to give you a little more acceleration.

Barney1 · 11-26-2012, 11:48 AM

Cajun Po-Boy · 11-26-2012, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungKopernik

I am lucky enough to have just purchased a 28-XtraLights-BSer. My issue comes with my tow vehicle, the dealer said most anything would tow it but I cant find any info on my Mazda Miada’s tow ability. I know the wheel base is a little short at 71inches but I am getting a weight distribution w/double sway control. I have the 1.4L and its only me and my chinchilla and I figure not loading up my trunk and only filling the gas-tank half full should save about 41lbs. Has anyone done much towing with a Miada? I am supposed to pick up the trailer this weekend after final inspection and hitch is installation. Any input would be appreciated, I saw somewhere that a trans-cooler is good but I have a manual trans do I still need one? Oh ya one more, any info on good extending side mirrors would be great, I think I need somewhere around 3ft extenders.
Thank for all your input, I know we can all be full of it, before hand
See ya on the road all
Not John

Let's see...Mazda Miata as tow vehicle...Sales guy can solve that one for you, he'll probably suggest the following:
-add turbocharger
-add E rated tires
-add air bags
-add class IV hitch

Now that was easy...Happy Camping! LOLLLLL

Barney1 · 11-26-2012, 01:12 PM

OK let's get this right everyone we don't want this guy into get into trouble.
Please review these links - but use your own judgement!

How to tow with your Miata
How to Tow With a Mazda Miata | eHow.com

Trailer hitches for your Miata
Miata/MX-5 Hitches - Tow Hitches for Mazda Miata/MX-5 Trailer - Best Miata/MX-5 Receiver Hitch Reviews - 1990 - 2013
or
Mazda Miata MX5 Trailer Hitches and Towing Accessories | HitchSource.com

A good forum discussion on Miata's towing capacities
Towing Capacity - MX-5 Miata Forum

I hope this helps

dwaynerz · 11-26-2012, 05:36 PM

in response to the smart car upgrade..... yeah, definetly get a tuner. perhaps a cowl induction hood to draw air from the low pressure area at the base of the windshield routed to a cold air intake. for exhaust, you might want to step up to a 3" pipe for better breathing, and to let everybody hear all that power!!!!! better make it 2 3" pipes, with a crossover to balance out the exhaust. wouldnt want 1 cylinder to be running richer than the other

as far as towing with a miata, did you know they make a kit that allows you to install a 5.0 ford (302 for us old timers) into a miata? they even make a kit for swapping in a chevy ls series motor (think corvette). looks to be fairly straight forward with only minor fab work involved. pics look like it belongs there.

http://www.bossfrog.biz/Miata_V8_Swap.html

chiro · 11-26-2012, 07:11 PM

Y'all laugh but I was out camping this weekend and a guy was towing a sandpiper 365 saq with a 2010 dodge 1500 with a hemi. I stopped and asked if the 1500 was his tv and he said yes it was. He said all he added to his truck was air bags and that the truck handled it great. He also told me he wasent overloaded! This is no joke. Loaded up the rv weights about 14k!

Cajun Po-Boy · 11-26-2012, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiro

y'all laugh but i was out camping this weekend and a guy was towing a sandpiper 365 saq with a 2010 dodge 1500 with a hemi. I stopped and asked if the 1500 was his tv and he said yes it was. He said all he added to his truck was air bags and that the truck handled it great. He also told me he wasent overloaded! This is no joke. Loaded up the rv weights about 14k!

wth!!!

MillerTime · 11-26-2012, 10:52 PM

Any time I need something towed that I think is too heavy and will tear up my truck, I just ask someone who owns a dodge. Around here the dodge guys think their trucks are capable of anything- but they also seem to spend a lot of time in the shop!

Barney1 · 11-27-2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerTime

Any time I need something towed that I think is too heavy and will tear up my truck, I just ask someone who owns a dodge. Around here the dodge guys think their trucks are capable of anything- but they also seem to spend a lot of time in the shop!

Hey I own a Ram and I known its limits.
That said I know some Ram owners who do not.
I also know a few Ford & Chevy owners who do not.

It comes down to people pushing their equipment beyond their limits and trying to justify it somehow.

Lynkage · 11-27-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerTime

Any time I need something towed that I think is too heavy and will tear up my truck, I just ask someone who owns a dodge. Around here the dodge guys think their trucks are capable of anything- but they also seem to spend a lot of time in the shop!

That's funny.

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