mx5 towbar

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:54 pm

Reallllllly in need of something to move my bike around in my na.

Tried the rear mounted racks and there not worth my time. Basically im thinking tow bar?

Wheres the best place to get a tow bar/have on made up/someone selling one in sydney (north shore)?

Cheers.

Jono.

plohl · Postby **plohl** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:10 pm

I looked into this a while ago man, and some places in brisbane wanted enough to make me consider the one from flyin' miata. Maybe check out that if you can't find anything locally.

PeterB · Postby **PeterB** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:42 pm

Carco (a MX5 Club Sponsor) in Canberra had made up some towbars - not sure if NB or NA.

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:45 pm

plohl wrote:I looked into this a while ago man, and some places in brisbane wanted enough to make me consider the one from flyin' miata. Maybe check out that if you can't find anything locally.

Do you no if fm ship to Australia? I couldn't find much on the website.

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:47 pm

PeterB wrote:Carco (a MX5 Club Sponsor) in Canberra had made up some towbars - not sure if NB or NA.

He wouldn't be towbars of woden would he? I remember seeing something about this on the forum a while back...

PeterB · Postby **PeterB** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:01 pm

No, a different business. Carco Exhaust and Automotive (also trades under MX5 Solutions) in Belconnen made up a limited run of towbars, mainly for NBs, but may also have done some for NAs.

Dave's details are on MX5 club site as a sponsor of Canberra chapter under MX5 Solutions.

plohl · Postby **plohl** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:12 am

dmad_dood wrote:
plohl wrote:I looked into this a while ago man, and some places in brisbane wanted enough to make me consider the one from flyin' miata. Maybe check out that if you can't find anything locally.

Do you no if fm ship to Australia? I couldn't find much on the website.

Yeah, you have to email them for quote on postage. I forgot the dollar has died a bit since I looked at it so might not be as cost effective. They generally have stupid expensive postage costs but this was one item where it wasn't unreasonable.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:59 am

there have been a number on this topic. If you import one then freight ( not postage) will be a big player- probably going to double the cost at the very least- tp calculate freight you need - weight / size and a carrier and if the seller is not interested in arranging it then its nots on. Ask the seller if they can arrange freight and if so what price. The other thing to do is go to a local tow bar constructor and get a quote - PeterB gave a good lead on that. You could also post in wanted

M1474 · Postby **M1474** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:27 pm

Buy a rollbar and clamp a bike carrier to the top of it. It would be cheaper, you don't have to store or pay rego on it, you won't stub your shin on it when you walk around the rear of your car and instead of jacknifing and causing accidents it would reduce injury in one.

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:29 pm

Has anyone considered trying a rack like the Saris Bones 2/3? Not the cheapest option, but surely looks better than having a permanent towbar...

Image

Two rubber feet sit on the top of the boot and the other two where the boot meets the rear bar. there are also a straps to hook it in under the boot at the rear and sides for extra support. Only bad thing I've heard is that people have usually put some form of foam tape under the feet to stop from scratching and marking their paint

Ive tried a similar one to the saris bone and it was pretty s**t. There was too much pressure resting on the boot lid and the rear bar and it moves around a lot on the car.

there have been a number on this topic. If you import one then freight ( not postage) will be a big player- probably going to double the cost at the very least- tp calculate freight you need - weight / size and a carrier and if the seller is not interested in arranging it then its nots on. Ask the seller if they can arrange freight and if so what price. The other thing to do is go to a local tow bar constructor and get a quote - PeterB gave a good lead on that. You could also post in wanted

Im waiting to here back on some quotes for shipping so that will be interesting.

Buy a rollbar and clamp a bike carrier to the top of it. It would be cheaper, you don't have to store or pay rego on it, you won't stub your shin on it when you walk around the rear of your car and instead of jacknifing and causing accidents it would reduce injury in one.

Ive done similar things in the past and it just dosent work (for me at least). And as far as jack knifing goes, i wont be towing a trailer, just a tow bar mounted bike rack. So no rego and the tow bar would be completely hidden when not in use so theres no issue there.

Ill see what the quotes are for postage and ill make my decsion then. Ive seen brandnew towbars from the states on ebay and postage was only $60.00 USD.

Thanks fellas,

Jono.

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 5:02 pm

Is there anyone with a towbar on their 5 who could post a picture of how they mount under the rear?
I have been thinking for some time about getting a towbar fitted to take a bracket to hold a spare wheel outboard of the boot/bumper.

dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 5:14 pm

Rocky wrote:Is there anyone with a towbar on their 5 who could post a picture of how they mount under the rear?
I have been thinking for some time about getting a towbar fitted to take a bracket to hold a spare wheel outboard of the boot/bumper.

From what i understand a crossmember bolts in between the two tow hook brackets and then theres a piece of metal welded onto there that bends around the rear bar and the tow ball mounts on there.

Exocet Australia · Postby **Exocet Australia** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:02 am

I can build you something that'll hold your bike that's removable. Won't cost you an arm and a leg either. Wouldn't be designed for towing a trailer though.

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dmad_dood · Postby **dmad_dood** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:25 am

Exocet Australia wrote:I can build you something that'll hold your bike that's removable. Won't cost you an arm and a leg either. Wouldn't be designed for towing a trailer though.

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Now were talking, sounds great.

What did you have in mind?

pezchops · Postby **pezchops** » Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:28 am

i need something aswell...i shall get under and have a look...being a cnc machinist i would look using billet ally.
machined and bolted together as i cannot weld ally..
strictly bike rake only and i am sure not legal.
there would be insurance issues ETC
i imagine any car bolt on parts like this should be engineered approved through motor transport.
i only just got my NB8A so have not checked it out yet.
If i make A few i can sell a couple to pay for my time and material.