khudson7
San Diego, Ca.
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Joined: 03/31/2002
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Sure would like to get a Nissan 350Z or Mazda Miata both manual transmission. But both say they are not towable 4 on the ground. Does anyone know if they can be towed with a tow dolly(2 wheels on dolly, two on the ground)? Or would I have to have a full trailer for them. As a fulltimer, carting around a full trailer is awkward to stow at most RV parks.
Ken
Fulltimer presently living and working in San Diego
1998 Fleetwood Discovery
2001 Nissan Sentra in tow
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eheading
Lakeland, FL
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Joined: 11/20/2000
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This is definitely not a technical answer. but we towed a 1999 Miata 10th edition with a 6 speed manual transmission for over 10,000 miles without a problem. I read a technical article in the Miata magazine that explained that you shouldn't two them and it included a diagram of the transmission. When I looked at the transmission it looked to me as though you would get lubrication to the gears when towing. I asked the author about this, but he never answered. So I towed -- with no problems.
The reason we didn't tow it more was that we felt we needed a back seat and more luggage space - not because of any towing problems.
Ed Headington
2005 Revolution LE
2004 Tracker toad
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khudson7
San Diego, Ca.
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Thanks eheading. Another question. Where did you find a base plate to fit the miata. Or did you rig something up on your own. Have not found anywhere that has a base plate for either of these vechicles.
Thanks again,
Ken
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Bear461
Winter Haven, Florida
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Joined: 05/23/2005
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I read somewhere (one of the other forums - maybe IRV2) that earlier model year Miata's were towable four down. I may be mistaken, but I believe that changed sometime around 2003 or 2004. They had to be manual transmission to tow 4 down.
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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Joined: 07/15/2003
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Moved from class A forum
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Healeyman
Carrollton, TX
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According to the manufacturer NO Miata or any other Mazda is towable 4-down ! In MY opinion that is because for the small market of would-be flat towers, Mazda does not want to spend the money to certify the Miata for flat towing or to accept ANY liability for the act of towing.
In the Miata community (www.miata.net), there was considerable speculation that with the 5-speed in tow, the lower lay shaft bearings and tail shaft bearings would under lubricated and eventually damaged because the input shaft was not turning. I have towed a 2000 Miata 5-speed almost 20,000 miles in the past 2 years without any of the disastrous results predicted by the Miata 4-down towing naysayers. I also know nearly a dozen other RVers who are towing Miata 5-speeds without difficulty.
Even those “experts” against towing the 5-speed 4-down agree that with the re-design of the transmission to add gear 6, the under lubrication concerns have been eliminated by having the lower lay shaft driven by the tail shaft rather than the input shaft.
For more information, search “Miata” or “Towing a Miata” here or at the Miata.net forum. If you still have concerns, I can put you in touch with a half-dozen RVers who are towing Miata 5-speeds and/or 6-speeds.
Both Roadmaster and Blue-Ox make baseplate set-ups for 2006 and earlier Miatas. I’m not sure about the availability for brand new models. I recommend the Roadmaster set-up as it is MUCH easier to attach the tow bar to the car for towing.
If you want or need more information, send me a private message and I can send you pictures of the installation as well as installation manuals for both Roadmaster and Blue-Ox.
Sherry and I sure do get a LOT of admiring looks from other RVers as they climb out of their Saturns and Jeeps while we tool around in our Miata with the top down.
While, like Mazda, not accepting any liability, MY suggestion would be to buy a Miata and
GO FOR IT !
Tim
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khudson7
San Diego, Ca.
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Joined: 03/31/2002
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Wow, Tim, really some great info there, just what I was looking for. I am considering a 2003 Miata 5 speed right now. Your info (and pic) now has me really excited! Thank you sooooo much.
Ken
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ArchHoagland
Clovis, CA, USA
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Joined: 11/28/2004
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I'll be towing my 91 Miata soon. The Roadmaster baseplate attachs where the baby teeth are bolted on. Mine is a 5 speed standard transmission.
There are a few others on here towing Miatas 4 down with no problems reported here.
Have you joined a local Miata club? Lot's of good people and info.
We are members of the San Joaquin Valley Miata Club in California. Lots of fun road trips with them.
The San Diego Miata Club may have someone who tows. You may want to check with them.
2004 Monaco
La Palma 36DBD
Two Slides
2 Potties
Workhorse 22 chassis
8.1 gas engine & Allison transmission
6.9 MPG based on a 6,000 mile trip around the U.S.
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
US Gear Toad Brakes
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Healeyman
Carrollton, TX
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Joined: 09/08/2006
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ArchHoagland wrote:I'll be towing my 91 Miata soon.
Hi Arch,
We corresponded back and forth in early April and you were getting set-up to tow your Miata then.
What's holding up the show ? Ya' need to get after it so's you can start enjoyin' towing that 2,400# Miata instead of that 4,000# Lexus.
You ought to pick up a couple of MPGs.
Tim
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peaches&cream
Northwest Georgia
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Joined: 06/18/2007
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Tim, Healeyman, was a great help when I set up my 1995 Miata M for towing. Have towed it over 3000 miles in 1 1/2 yrs. and experience no problems. I did overfill my trans. with LUCAS as reccomended by Tim. He also has a great schematic for wiring the lights on the Miata to the MH.
Thanks to Tim and everyone enjoy your Miata as a toad. Great thing is it is so light, you forget it's back there. I have to keep my backup camera on to remind me.
Larry
1995 Holiday Rambler , F53, 460, Banks Exhaust & Trans Command
Toad 1995 Miata
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