towing a miata? how big is big enough?
02-26-2008, 11:31 AM
#1
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towing a miata? how big is big enough?
I'm currently looking to buy a 2003 toyota tacoma, and it being my first truck, my first question is will it be enough to tow my miata? anyone have some insight on this? i'm going for the v6 model, rwd. i figured with about 200hp and pretty good gas mileage, it should still be enough.
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02-26-2008, 11:37 AM
#3
I used to tow my Miata with a v6 Dakota on a steel open trailer. This included 3 people in the truck, a spare long block in the bed, spare tranny and my tool box. It does not take much.
Once I had 3 engines in the back, and 3 trannies, plus 4 guys in the truck. It was fun stopping that day!
Once I had 3 engines in the back, and 3 trannies, plus 4 guys in the truck. It was fun stopping that day!
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02-26-2008, 11:41 AM
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yea, i'm going for a 2003 prerunner v6 with the trd fancy stuff. i'm kinda excited finally being kinda off the ground. and hopefully when i get enough time i want to build my miata and track her every once in a while. just not i won't have to worry about my daily driver breaking down.
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02-26-2008, 11:46 AM
#6
That should pull it. My S10 would pull heavier loads than you would think. The big differance is stopping power. You will have to stop ahead of time.
Main questions:
1. Are you using a tow dolly or a full blown trailor?
With a tow dolly you are very well off. No problems.
With a trailor it is up to your suspension. I don't know how stronge it is. 4wd your good.
I used to pull cars on a dolly with a slow 81 S10 2.8 V6. I had to take my time but it worked. Now my Vortech 4.3 V6 S10 would pull, but you had to intecipate a stop.
My dad had a 18ft bass boat. His friends 92 4cyl 4wd pulled it up the ramp fine. He just didn't rush pulling out in traffic.
Main questions:
1. Are you using a tow dolly or a full blown trailor?
With a tow dolly you are very well off. No problems.
With a trailor it is up to your suspension. I don't know how stronge it is. 4wd your good.
I used to pull cars on a dolly with a slow 81 S10 2.8 V6. I had to take my time but it worked. Now my Vortech 4.3 V6 S10 would pull, but you had to intecipate a stop.
My dad had a 18ft bass boat. His friends 92 4cyl 4wd pulled it up the ramp fine. He just didn't rush pulling out in traffic.
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02-26-2008, 12:03 PM
#7
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and are tow dollys still okay to hold a car in it? i'm sorry to ask dumb questions, remember, this is my first so i'm learning. i'm going to eventually join the tacoma forum too and start learning about mods for it.
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02-26-2008, 12:09 PM
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Pulling the load won't be a problem. But stopping won't be fun as the load will approach the weight of the pulling vehicle. You don't want the tail to wag the dog. I'd look into a small single axle trailer with brakes.
My miata is too low to drive up a dolly, it will kill the front bumper going forward or take out a tail pipe going backwards.
My miata is too low to drive up a dolly, it will kill the front bumper going forward or take out a tail pipe going backwards.
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02-26-2008, 12:29 PM
#11
^Where do you live?
This is what you're looking for. Your Tacoma will tow this+Miata just fine.
http://www.texasbraggtrailers.com/tr...lers-light.htm
I looked pretty hard and couldn't find any single-axles like the one above.
Search Craigslist for car hauler and I guarantee there are a few for sale if you're near a decent sized city.
Using a tow dolly that gets the front wheels off the ground is fine for short drives... some people use them for X-country trips, but not me.
If you've just got a one-way trip to make somewhere, you can buy the trailer, use it, and sell it wherever you're going. I think u-haul gets around $500 for x-country full-size hauler rental
This is what you're looking for. Your Tacoma will tow this+Miata just fine.
http://www.texasbraggtrailers.com/tr...lers-light.htm
I looked pretty hard and couldn't find any single-axles like the one above.
Search Craigslist for car hauler and I guarantee there are a few for sale if you're near a decent sized city.
Using a tow dolly that gets the front wheels off the ground is fine for short drives... some people use them for X-country trips, but not me.
If you've just got a one-way trip to make somewhere, you can buy the trailer, use it, and sell it wherever you're going. I think u-haul gets around $500 for x-country full-size hauler rental
Last edited by samnavy; 02-26-2008 at 12:39 PM.
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02-26-2008, 12:29 PM
#12
more miata tow experiences
I've towed Miatas with an Rx300 numerous times using a small single axle trailer. To reiterate, you want the majority of weight on the tongue, always be prepared to start stopping, and getting low cars on short trailers and ramps is a matter of backing up the rear wheels of the tow vehicle on some car ramps.
Best deal on trailers is going to be used. It's a lot like buying a used race car, the people who need money are going to deal. If only for towing, look for a trailer without a solid wood plank floor- no reason to haul all that wood around.
Best deal on trailers is going to be used. It's a lot like buying a used race car, the people who need money are going to deal. If only for towing, look for a trailer without a solid wood plank floor- no reason to haul all that wood around.
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02-26-2008, 01:01 PM
#14
I have an AZTEX car hauler open trailer.
Cheap and works great for lowered cars. None of your cars are as low as min and I can get it on there most of the time with out driving the truck on ramps.
Its also an affordable trailer and 1 axle has electric breaks which will help yu out.
Good luck
Cheap and works great for lowered cars. None of your cars are as low as min and I can get it on there most of the time with out driving the truck on ramps.
Its also an affordable trailer and 1 axle has electric breaks which will help yu out.
Good luck
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02-26-2008, 01:34 PM
#15
You should be fine towing with the Taco. I tow with my Wife's 4Runner when needed and it does fine. I have towed both a 16ft enclosed as well as my 14ft single axle open trailer.
Just make sure the trailer has brakes and you have a way to control them. Also, if you going to buy a typical car trailer, a weight distribution hitch would be a wise investment.
Driving the tow vehicles rear wheels up on ramps is the ticket and the method that I use. I have been contemplating changing out the leaf springs on my trailer for a trailing arm/air bag suspension. That way I could just drop the trailer to the ground at the flip of a switch. Gangstalike FTW!
Just make sure the trailer has brakes and you have a way to control them. Also, if you going to buy a typical car trailer, a weight distribution hitch would be a wise investment.
Driving the tow vehicles rear wheels up on ramps is the ticket and the method that I use. I have been contemplating changing out the leaf springs on my trailer for a trailing arm/air bag suspension. That way I could just drop the trailer to the ground at the flip of a switch. Gangstalike FTW!
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02-26-2008, 01:46 PM
#16
the tacoma pre-runner has the same suspension as the 4WD, so again you are fine there
the trailer is doing to be the ticket...fwiw, i towed a miata 100+ miles with a 4runner and it didnt break a sweat, even the braking, just brake a little sooner than typically
enjoy your Yota
the trailer is doing to be the ticket...fwiw, i towed a miata 100+ miles with a 4runner and it didnt break a sweat, even the braking, just brake a little sooner than typically
enjoy your Yota
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