truck and trailer, or turbo build?
03-07-2007, 10:25 AM
#21
Tour de Franzia
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Anything with 200ftlbs of torque and a smallish trailer will pull a Miata w/o any problem. The first problem that always arises is stopping. No trailer brakes? Then you'd better stop for every light regardless of color! 
I've towed a Miata more times than I can count with my wife's RX300 using a single axle steel trailer- so an aluminum double axle would be fine. The single axle is fine for shorter trips to the track (I'm an hour away). Just need to figure out the right position for good tongue weight to prevent the "tail from wagging the dog". The nice thing about the RX is that when not towing it makes a superb DD.
Other cars that have worked well for short tows- Rodeo V6, Jeep Cheorkee and Grand Cherokee (used my double axle steel trailer with the Jeeps). I also used a shortbed 92 F150 with the big inline 6 to tow my Miata around the southeast with the dubl axle steel and it worked great with a $75 trailer brake setup. Slowed a little on hills, but also got 15mpg towing.
I'd definitely consider the compromise when buying a town vehicle that's also going to serve as a DD. What's it going to do the most? Buying a big V8 truck to tow with once a month, is going to hurt if you're driving it daily at 12mpg.
I've towed a Miata more times than I can count with my wife's RX300 using a single axle steel trailer- so an aluminum double axle would be fine. The single axle is fine for shorter trips to the track (I'm an hour away). Just need to figure out the right position for good tongue weight to prevent the "tail from wagging the dog". The nice thing about the RX is that when not towing it makes a superb DD.Other cars that have worked well for short tows- Rodeo V6, Jeep Cheorkee and Grand Cherokee (used my double axle steel trailer with the Jeeps). I also used a shortbed 92 F150 with the big inline 6 to tow my Miata around the southeast with the dubl axle steel and it worked great with a $75 trailer brake setup. Slowed a little on hills, but also got 15mpg towing.
I'd definitely consider the compromise when buying a town vehicle that's also going to serve as a DD. What's it going to do the most? Buying a big V8 truck to tow with once a month, is going to hurt if you're driving it daily at 12mpg.
You hit the nail on the head. I need a small truck that gets decent mpg that I can parallel park downtown...and tow once a month.
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03-07-2007, 10:49 AM
#23
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Seriously get a bottom barrel F-150, tows the Miata great. The V8, towing package and limited slip diff in my '04 ran me 17K out the door. I suspect that used you could get one for 1/2 that. Either that or get a Nissan Titan. Don't skimp on your tow vehicle, get one with enough ummph to really tow.
Mark
Mark
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03-07-2007, 11:16 AM
#24
Boost Czar
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i dont think my ka24de would be up to the task of towing a miata. if you are going to tow, your going to want a beast.
my neighbor, who has a mustang race car, started off with a small truck trailer. he had to take the long route to most tracks as it didn't have enough Umph to navigate up hills and such.
he then bought some big *** ford twin turbo disel. then a huge 20 something foot trailer.
now he's just upgraded to a huge camper to replace the truck so he dont have to sleep in the trailer anymore.
if you are just going to a few track days a year dont worry about hualing the miata, if you aren't confident that the car will be able to drive back and forth, then i wouldn't feel confident in the car on the track at all.
my neighbor, who has a mustang race car, started off with a small truck trailer. he had to take the long route to most tracks as it didn't have enough Umph to navigate up hills and such.
he then bought some big *** ford twin turbo disel. then a huge 20 something foot trailer.
now he's just upgraded to a huge camper to replace the truck so he dont have to sleep in the trailer anymore.
if you are just going to a few track days a year dont worry about hualing the miata, if you aren't confident that the car will be able to drive back and forth, then i wouldn't feel confident in the car on the track at all.
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03-07-2007, 11:27 AM
#25
It really depends on where you're going. I've been at both ends- the RX and single axle works great going to Rd. Atlanta just an hour north and no hills- cruises at 80 no prob. But when I was racing anywhere from south florida to Toronto, I had an f350 dually crew cab to pull the 28ft enclosed trailer.
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03-07-2007, 11:54 AM
#26
I tow 8-10 times a year and most of my trips are 6-10 hours, so I want to be confident in my tow rig. I towed 2 times to Atlanta w/ the 4Runner and 3600# behind it over Monteagle Mountain was no fun. 2nd gear WOT on the way up and hold on on the way down even w/ trailer brakes. The 2500 HD shifts out of overdrive going over the mountain near the top. Torque is your friend.
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03-08-2007, 07:46 PM
#29
I think he's got an arsenal info even if it is opinions. He know that he should consider the size of the engine if he's got mountains. Long wheelbases make towing more stable. And if the tow vehicle is going to be primarily a daily driver, then he should consider the mileage when choosing. It's there in one shape or form.
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03-08-2007, 09:30 PM
#30
if you get a truck, watch craigslist for a cheap trailer. every once in a while, you can find one for only a few hundred dollars. you could also just rent a dolly from u-haul when/if you need to. IIRC it's $20/day.
If it were my choice, I'd get a truck, a trailer, and the turbo kit. I'd wait for a deal to pop up on the truck and trailer though.
If it were my choice, I'd get a truck, a trailer, and the turbo kit. I'd wait for a deal to pop up on the truck and trailer though.
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03-08-2007, 09:43 PM
#31
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Like once per month. The more I think about it, although inconvenient, its more fiscally responsible to build a more reliable turbo car, and roll with the jetta as long as i can.
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03-09-2007, 07:53 AM
#34
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I was fortunate enough to get deployed 3 hours from home, so I just drove the miata up here. I've had my car for about a year now, and I've probably driven it less than 30 times.
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