Can a MX5 Tow anything?

[SuperBug]

Guys,

Not sure if anyone could help me, im looking a purchasing a jetski and was wondering whether an mx5 would somehow be able to tow it. Current i own a 10AE.

Your help would be much appreciated

Thanks

[OZChris]

From the Hayman Reece website

Search Results for TOWBARS & HITCH RECEIVERS
1 results returned by the search,current 1-1.
Sub Category / Vehicle Year Product No. Description RRP Rating / Ball Weight (kgs)
MAZDA 10/1989-on +1158 MX5 (C) $325.00 450/50
1

[ma64rk]

Yes, and no Superbug.
Yes, i have a towbar on my nb8b, which was made by a fellow in canberra named "Towbars of Woden", but it's not certified, and AFAIK Mazda Aus will tell you the Mx-5 is not rated to tow.
I have a towbar to mount a bike rack to take my bikes to races, and i've towed a little trailer short distances.
I'm not going to buy a Caravan tho!!

[Okibi]

Ryno use to tow his skiff behind his MX-5 I think, he probably made his own tow ball.

Speedy/Speedette tow a spare 3rd of a car worth of spare parts behind their MX-5.

I'm sure a few racers have trailers to tow tyres to the track.

[Garry]

Physically yes the MX5 can tow stuff but legally no you cant because Mazda says no. If in doubt read your owners manual.

[moz]

A Gold Wing can legally tow a small trailer but yes, the MX5 can't.....

[lowmiata]

Mx5's can tow legally up to 400kg's
the catch is you can only have a 40kg down force on the ball which means the trailer your towing needs to be well balanced if your going to tow 400kg's!

My 14ft skiff weighed 55kg's and the trailer was probably 100kg's

Mine was a hayman reece one and it was certified






FWIW a jetski would probably be borderline keeping inmind everything else you need to take with you fuel wetsuit jacket etc it just wouldn't be cost effective.

better of buying a dunger to leave at the ramp! an mx5 would be asking to be broken into!

[booki89]

Bump from the dead. Are these tow bars still available? Where can I get one?

I would use it to tow my dirt bike. Do you think it would be safe? I have seen those dirt bike tow bars on eBay.

Would save me buying another car of that's the case! Assuming its safe to do so..

[hks_kansei]

I would use it to tow my dirt bike. Do you think it would be safe? I have seen those dirt bike tow bars on eBay.

Would save me buying another car of that's the case! Assuming its safe to do so..

The one above said 400kg load, and 40kg towbar weight.

A dirtbike would be well under 400kg, my CT110 is about 90kg or so, so I imagine a dirtbike would be in that ballpark too. As long as the trailer is under 300kg you should be ok.

The towbar attachments won't work, as the towbar load would be well above the 40kg (100kg of bike, plus the bike holder weight)

[Lokiel]

[de Bounce]

The MX5 is a sports car and was never designed to tow anything!

Mazda Australia, via the user handbook state NOT TO TOW with a MX5
The stated towing capacity for a MX5 in Australia is ZERO, therefore it is technically illegal to tow anything with a MX5!
If you were to have an accident whilst towing a trailer it may void your insurance.

Now that the legality has been dispensed with!
Many people have fitted tow bars and easily pulled lightweight trailers without any issues.
It is quite common to tow with a MX5 / Miata in the US, have a read on the big forum.
Tow bars can be obtained from the US and are easily fitted.

[Mr Morlock]

I am not sure where the 400KG figure comes from nor the 10% tow ball weight. Many Euro cars are only 5% tow ball weight. You can do some proper research by asking say Hayman Reece and Mazda. If HR do make a certified bar then you would think its legal however they may not do it merely because there is no demand. Personally I would not tow with an MX5 because I don't think its suitable for this type of work. Even the photo of the boat demonstrates next to no rear clearance-ie easily could be hung up on a driveway or rutted road.

[hks_kansei]

I am not sure where the 400KG figure comes from nor the 10% tow ball weight. .

The gent with the boat attached said he has a Hayman Reece bar fitted.
I would assume the weight ratings he quoted were per Hayman Reece.

Personally I wouldn't tow anything more than a tiny trailer behind an MX5 (like what some touring motorcycles tow)

[manga_blue]

From the Hayman Reece website

Search Results for TOWBARS & HITCH RECEIVERS
1 results returned by the search,current 1-1.
Sub Category / Vehicle Year Product No. Description RRP Rating / Ball Weight (kgs)
MAZDA 10/1989-on +1158 MX5 (C) $325.00 450/50
1

.. or as it's written on my towbar


As de Bounce said there are plenty of guys towing things like wheels and tools in light or ultralight trailers to track events.

[Mr Morlock]

Good work I would say - it was done by HR and maybe still available - if the local product is available it would presumably be accepted by Insurance cos as well.