Who tows a Miata four down (or wants to)

[burmashave]

Mazda says no. Plenty of anecdotal evidence says otherwise, including my own. How many of us are members here?

[Mtn.Mike]

I towed my 2002 with a 5 speed transmission all last winter down in Georgia. I had no problems and it towed fine.


Mike

[burmashave]

That's great to hear. I really love having such a fun convertible to check out the local haunts and sights when I'm on the road. My avatar shows my last toad. It was an Eclipse Spyder GT convertible. Loved it. It met a violent end recently on I-696. I replaced it with the Miata, and then found out I could tow it. Total win win for me.

Plus, it's about 1000 lbs lighter than the Spyder, which has to be a plus

[Healeyman]

Danny,

My computer puked yesterday and it looks as if I have lost all of my received and sent Email.

I need a copy of an Email that I think that I sent to you.

Please Email me.

Tim

[burmashave]

done Tim.

[Old Rocker]

I would love to pull my 96 Miata. Unfortunatly it is an automatic, so for me it is a no go.
I am still thinking about pulling it backwards on a dolly if I can find out if it is legal.

[JohnRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Rocker I would love to pull my 96 Miata. Unfortunatly it is an automatic, so for me it is a no go. I am still thinking about pulling it backwards on a dolly if I can find out if it is legal.

As long as you have stop, tail, & turn signals why not?

Many dolly manufactures say not to rear tow.

I've towed cars backwards with tow trucks for years with only a few models that had inherent problems built in.

My CONCERN for towing a 2 seat convertible of any make with a dolly is the constant body flex with one end or the other in the air versus all four flat on the ground.

[Pusherman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by burmashave Mazda says no. Plenty of anecdotal evidence says otherwise, including my own. How many of us are members here?

I don't tow mine, but I'd like to. It's a 5-speed. No reason that I know of why it couldn't be towed 4-down.

[daveshan]

Subscribed, my wife would love to tow hers ('05 5 speed). It's an ideal car for buzzing around in towns with tight parking. Estes Park CO comes to mind.

[burmashave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pusherman I don't tow mine, but I'd like to. It's a 5-speed. No reason that I know of why it couldn't be towed 4-down.

I got my tow bar from a fellow in Texas who made his own. He got so many requests from others, he now makes them for sale on a web site. I bought one from him based on Healeyman's recommendation, cost $100 and I put it on myself in about two hours.

Attaches where the tow hooks (baby teeth), go. Works great. If you are interested, I can forward the link. I suggest you google "miata as toad" , or other type searches, and you will read enough info to be convinced its ok.

I really have no idea why Mazda says no,, since the reality answer is obviously yes.

[ohiobill]

I set up our '99 5-spd for towing this summer. Have pulled it about 2000 mi so far, can't tell its there.

I use the Rennenmetal baseplate from Texas and Facon 5250 towbar. Magnetic lights. Brake Buddy. Has worked well so far!

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Rocker I would love to pull my 96 Miata. Unfortunatly it is an automatic, so for me it is a no go. I am still thinking about pulling it backwards on a dolly if I can find out if it is legal.

Probably legal, just that all dolly manufacturer recommend that you not do it. Some vehicles don't track well being pulled that way, you might need to tie the steering wheel down.

[burmashave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohiobill I set up our '99 5-spd for towing this summer. Have pulled it about 2000 mi so far, can't tell its there. I use the Rennenmetal baseplate from Texas and Facon 5250 towbar. Magnetic lights. Brake Buddy. Has worked well so far!

Where do you attach the safety chains at the car? A pic would be appreciated. Thanks.

I haven't settled on a permanent solution for ths yet.

[ohiobill]

Not much to show. So far I've just attached the safety chain on each side to the rennenmetal baseplate, just outboard of the tow bar attachment points. Would prefer to attach directly to chassis of Miata, but haven't located a good attachment point.

Any ideas?