Towing question
 

I have a 1992 Chevy 1500 with a 5.7L. Can I tow my miata + about 4-500lbs of weight + 2 people?

I reallllly don't want to sell my truck, but I can't move both unless the truck tows the miata and all my stuff.

From what I read on the netz, you take the GVWR (6100) and subtract the weight of the vehicle (~2700) and that is how much you can tow. So I think theoretically it can tow, but to the guys that have experience in this area, do you think it's a good idea?

All I can give you is the data point that my Toyota Tacoma V6 (230 HP) towed my Miata on a U-haul flatbed several hundred miles with zero problems.

Edit:
It is a 2005 Tacoma Prerunner Access Cab if you want to look up the towing specs.

Tow will not be a problem...stopping is the problem. Plan off ramps well ahead.

And put a tranny cooler in that tow rig.

This. I wouldn't tow anything without a trailer with it's own brakes, don't cheap out there.

Google "towing capacity" for your truck.

"truck + your fat ass and your gay lover's fat ass + all of your fleshlights and other "worldly items" + tongue weight of the trailer" needs to be less than the GVWR of the truck.

The trailer and the car, alone, INCLUDING tongue weight, needs to be less than the GVWR of the trailer.

Since I sincerely doubt you have enough sex toys to exceed the GVWR of the truck, all you're really worried about is the weight of the car and trailer, and whether that combination exceeds the towing capacity of the truck.

My 1988 Chevy 1500 with the V6 made it fine with me, a tow dolly, the miata, and a shit ton of tools/parts/food in the bed. It's a POS farm type truck that we hardly take care of. 5spd with the clutch not engaging until the last .5" of travel. Made the 300 mile round trip fine, beyond the AC breaking, which sucked in the 105* weather.

Sounds good, appreciate the feedback. I'll definitely be taken it slow.

The weight of the Miata plus your stuff won't be a problem at all. Where you'll start feeling the weight is if you load the Miata onto a 2000lb Uhaul flatbed. So, do you intend to tow the Miata or haul the Miata?

why not just get a friend or something to drive it for you?

Really they are that light? My B3000 is 3400-3500lbs it has the 3L 5sp and is shown (in the brochure from Mazda) towing an NB miata on a flatbed trailer around a racetrack. That baby truck was rated at ~4500lbs towing and ~6000lbs with the 4L, my point you shouldn't have any problem.

I towed my Miata on a heavy ass steel trailer with about 1000 lbs of cargo with my 04 Expedition (5.4L). Drove it 1000 miles no problem, then drove it back home minus about 700lbs of cargo. You just have to remember that you will not be able to stop as fast as you're use to.
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Yup don't get the Uhaul flat trailer, it will weigh more than your miata. Rent one of there dollies. Remember though that dollies can't be backed up so plan ahead. Make sure the trans fluid is fresh and it should't be a problem.

And whatever you do don't put the back wheels on. Engine acts as a pendulum and limits you to 40ish mph. Happened when I blew my diff, one time I was thankful for rush hour traffic.

http://threadbombing.com/data/media/62/giving_up.jpg

FYI blowing transmissions and diffs from using a dolly is an urban legend for manual cars.

Your towing capacity will be listed in the manual. I'm guessing that it won't be a problem.

Fucking panzies.

I towed an engine, hoist, tranmission, rear diff, 4 halfshafts, all my tools, engine stand, ex system, some tires, two engine blocks, my kayak, and some fluids on a class A Harbor Freight special trailer behind my 4 Cylinder 5 Spd S10 with about 100 and nothing HP from PHX to Colorado Springs. All of my non-car stuff was in the back of the truck. My half full 29 gallon aquarium rode shotgun. I was down to 2nd gear several times on the leg from Payson to Holbrooke. Raton Pass sucked too. I dont think I got to use overdrive save on a few downhill stretches, and then only for a moment before downshifting.

Aside from my rear leaf springs being shot, the truck is fine 2 years later. I am still on that clutch even. Drive carefully and you will be fine.

+1 to not getting Uhaul flat trailer

but on the dollie note they can be backed up it just takes getting used to it and going slow


My '04 Dakota with a 4.7 towed has towed my Saturns on a Uhaul dollie several times with no problem. One time with two spare trannies and a motorm, with 3 200lbs guys in it. With yours you should be fine.

also +1 to planning your braking and tranny coolers FTW!