Towing a Miata w/ a Toyota SR5
 

Was thinking of picking up another Gayata that's about 30 miles away. I have access to a 99 Toyota 4runner SR5 and it appears there's a hitch mechanism in the rear. I need some help on what to do to get this Miata towed with my 4runner. I've never towed another car and don't really care how it's towed, just that it's towed and that it's cheap. Ideas? Thanks.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1338356108

go to U-Haul and rent a dolly. it's not rocket science.

Why not drive it back?

Car dolly is the way to go.

This. They're cheap and easy.

That 4Runner has a 5,000 pound towing capacity, despite its relatively light weight so it could even use a flatbed U-Haul trailer. Just be careful and drive slower than you think you need to, leave more space for braking than you think you need, etc, etc, etc.

In-before-the-you-need-a-dually-turbodiesel-to-tow-a-Miata-crowd.

How do I wipe my butt?

sit on Trey's face

So why can't I tow it with no dolly? I've seen trailers tow cars w/ all 4 wheels planted on the ground in neutral - what type of equipment do I need in this case and why is it bad? It's only 30 miles away.

Need to remove drive shaft.

Bad because your transmission self-oils from rotation of the input shaft, if the output shaft is spinning but the input shaft isn't, then you'll be spinning things in your tranny without oil.

You can put the back tires up on the dolly and lock the steering wheel in a roughly straight position. I did that when I picked up my 92 DD. We towed it home about 150 miles with a v6 f150. We just went slow and had no issues. Now getting the car off the dolly was a bitch, but that was more because to clutch was gone and the car did not want to make it over the hump.

Kenzo, if the car doesn't drive on it's own, and you need to move it just 30 miles, just call a tow truck... you can ask for a flatbed if you want, but a tow truck will be vastly easier than any other option you would want to go with. Basically, you do ZERO work.

The cheapest way to tow the Miata with your 4Runner is to rent one of these:
http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/Eq....aspx?model=td
You'll need a 2" receiver and ball for your trailer hitch:
http://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/...00-lbs?mid=279

NOTE: With the dolly option, you won't be able to back up very easily... in fact, if it's your first time towing, don't go anywhere near reverse with a tow dolly. And YOU need to get the car TO the dolly, get it on, and get it off... more work for you, and quadruple (or more) of the time than a pro with a flatbed.

Don't mess around, call AAA if you've got coverage after you buy the car and ask them to send a flatbed. If no AAA, call your insurance company as soon as you buy the car, and see who they go through locally and to send that guy out.

A rough guess is $50-$75 hookup fee, and $3-$5/mile... in California, everything seems to be on the high side of the scale, so I'd budget about $200 if you can score a deal through AAA or your insurance company.

I just had the Jeep towed to the stealership (blown brake lines). Less than 10 miles away, and it cost me $80 plus tax. The guy had it on in less than 2 minutes.

Ok thanks d00ds.

On a similar note the ring gear doesn't do so well loading on the wrong the side of the teeth for extended distances.

if you don't have AAA, get it

I flat tow mine with a 93 Ford cargo van with no problems. So do these other people:

http://www.everything-about-rving.co...t-towable.html

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=320591

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread...=453257&page=2

Failing all else, there's always rope. I towed a Civic sedan with a Jetta TDi not too long ago, from Georgia to North Carolina. It wasn't fun, but it got the job done.

You need a Sikorski air crane to safely transport the car.

Go to U-Haul and rent a full trailer. No need to fool with a dolly. I tow my Miata on a flat bed trailer all over the Eastern US with a I-6 GMC Envoy XUV. The U-Haul trailer has surge brakes which while not as good a electric brakes are better than the "No brakes" you would have with the dolly.