TOWING with an MX5

ziggy · Postby **ziggy** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 6:35 pm

Hey guys i was thinking about buying a jet ski but i dont want to get rid of the mx5.

Does anybody here tow trailers with their mx5?
if so how much weight would you tow before it becomes unsafe (as in trouble stopping and going up and down hills)
also if anybody can reccommend somewhere that sells them or makes them?

cheers

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 6:39 pm

The road authority in the state that you live in will be able to answer all of your questions.
Greg.
Have you tried a search in here?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 8:12 pm

Check with Vicroads or whatever your equivalent is, but from memory the legal towing capcity is very low.

I seem to recall it either being zero, or only a couple of hundred kilos.

For reference, I have carried a full MX5 engine in the boot of mine and it was sitting on the bump stops the whole way (it also blew out my rear shocks since they were punching the stops teh whole way)

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 8:35 pm

The drivers manual has the unbraked and braked weights you can tow normally. Even redbook probably has it.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 8:43 pm

project.r.racing wrote:The drivers manual has the unbraked and braked weights you can tow normally. Even redbook probably has it.

I seem to remember the NB one just says "towing weights - this vehicle is not suitable for towing"

the other option is to contact the towbar manufacturer.

ziggy · Postby **ziggy** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 9:01 pm

yeah i had a think about it. i could put bigger brakes on but at the end of the day
when i go to pull a jetski out of a steep slippery boat ramp im just gunna end up doing a burnout...

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 9:06 pm

Brakes are the least of it's problem with towing.

You'd be better off putting in stiffer rear springs to cope with the load if anything.
But as you said, a wet boat ramp would be the end of it.

How much would a Jetski and trailer weigh anyway?

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 9:24 pm

Don't.

ziggy · Postby **ziggy** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 9:49 pm

ive got coilovers all round and they are pretty stiff.

the downward weight on the tow ball probably wouldnt be more than 50 kgs

but yeah i think not enough weight on the back wheels to keep them from spinning on the boat ramp

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 9:59 pm

Spend the money on tyres and suspension and forget about the jet ski, they are a blight after all.
Greg.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:40 pm

Towing with an MX5 is basically don't do it. Mazda say the vehicle is not suitable for any towing. If you want to tow then use a vehicle with a rated towing capacity which means how many Kgs and what ball rate is applicable.You also cannot buy a certified tow bar for the vehicle either. An MX5 is a sports car and it fails the test as a work horse. That will not stop people from ignoring all recommendations. If you or any one had an accident while towing it's more than likely a claim would be denied.

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Mon Dec 01, 2014 11:41 pm

You'll have more fun in your 5 driving around the wonderful roads in the high country than you will on a jet ski in Lake Eildon.

mmx005 · Postby **mmx005** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 2:36 am

I got my tow bar from moss in the USA. They have all the raitings on it etc etc.

I use to tow a 12ft tinny with 20L of petrol,20hp motor, fishing stuff etc etc no probs. I was just gentle coming out of the ramp. Also tow'd a 6x8 boxy with camping stuff a Few hundred km on a regular basis. I always made sure my trailer was as balanced as I could and kept an eye on weights.

Id recommend a hd clutch ( exedy sports tuff or similar) quality brake pads (i used bendix ultimates with stock discs) and keeping an eye on your water temps.

All of that was done in my nb8a with full intake and exhaust, I had no other mods at the time, but the rear suspension would be worth thinking about.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 7:18 am

A tow bar from USA means nothing here unless it is tested and certified to our regs. MX5 is not suitable for towing duties- it's not what the car was meant to do. If the makers state a tow capacity or none at all its wise to take the advice. Towing with an mx5 is not legal and if there was an accident an Insurance may decline coverage.

greenltd · Postby **greenltd** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 9:48 am

My 5 saw towing duties by the previous owner, but a light load, probably no more than 400kg including trailer. The trailer weighed 200kg plus spares such as wheels and fuel etc. I plan to do the same. It handled it well, but as others have said, the 5 (NB at least) has no tow capacity. So you could get done by the police and have problems if you crash. The tow bar manufacturer in Canberra stated on the invoice that the tow bar was for a bike rake only.