What do YOU use to tow your track car?
"flame suit on"
I am going to experiment with flat towing my car to events, I figure that the most likley things to strand me at a track event would be an engine or trans faliure... initially started looking for an open aluminum trailer But i alerady have 4 vehicles, a kart, utility, tire and pop up trailers that are all garaged right now and need to draw the line somewhere (maybe i can convince my wife to sell the pop up LOL) so desided to try this first and get a trailer if this does not work out.
Looking at the RV forums Miatas are regularly towed without problems, the trans output shaft it is supported by two sealed ball bearings so i figure that it will be ok lubrication wise for 200mi towing that are in the plans.
I am going to experiment with flat towing my car to events, I figure that the most likley things to strand me at a track event would be an engine or trans faliure... initially started looking for an open aluminum trailer But i alerady have 4 vehicles, a kart, utility, tire and pop up trailers that are all garaged right now and need to draw the line somewhere (maybe i can convince my wife to sell the pop up LOL) so desided to try this first and get a trailer if this does not work out.
Looking at the RV forums Miatas are regularly towed without problems, the trans output shaft it is supported by two sealed ball bearings so i figure that it will be ok lubrication wise for 200mi towing that are in the plans.
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One of nt friends flat tows his miata behind his 4runner. Had driven from Charleston SC to Orlando FL to autox without issues. He will be flat towing the car to Tampa this weekend.
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I have read of people towing a miata over 20k behind an rv without taking off the driveshaft without problems so yea, towing with driveshat on, ignition on (battery disconnected) magnetically attached lights on the trunk lid.
cost under $500 to get it done (some states require remote braking on the car but not where i plan to tow)
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i have towed with a dolley a few times and my car does not like to be in one, it is too low and is hard to install and remove the straps, the dolley is very wide, heavy and can only be used for towing a car unlike an open trailer.
I have read of people towing a miata over 20k behind an rv without taking off the driveshaft without problems so yea, towing with driveshat on, ignition on (battery disconnected) magnetically attached lights on the trunk lid.
cost under $500 to get it done (some states require remote braking on the car but not where i plan to tow)
I have read of people towing a miata over 20k behind an rv without taking off the driveshaft without problems so yea, towing with driveshat on, ignition on (battery disconnected) magnetically attached lights on the trunk lid.
cost under $500 to get it done (some states require remote braking on the car but not where i plan to tow)
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I had similarly good experience with flat towing. If it weren't for the need to have plates (and thus smog), I would still be doing it.
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Do you have to use remote brakes when flat towing in Canada?
i put a gopro on the miata and took it for a tow sunday and everithing looks solid under hard braking and it towed really well, could not feel any pulling and tugging like the pop up does when changing direction at 60mph.
i put a gopro on the miata and took it for a tow sunday and everithing looks solid under hard braking and it towed really well, could not feel any pulling and tugging like the pop up does when changing direction at 60mph.
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 142
Total Cats: 7
From: toronto
No remote.brakes. Tows fine, never had an issue. 2012 ridgeline was getting around 14mpg towing. 2017 is getting 16mpg. Pretty much flat around here, speeds around 70mph.
remember to never reverse while flat towing. I almost did it first trip when arriving at track.
remember to never reverse while flat towing. I almost did it first trip when arriving at track.
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Great! Thanks for the information
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A lot of vehicles are flat towed behind RVs here because of all the snowbirds. I've seen several Miatas. And there's a lot of tow dollies, too. That's where I got my used dolly. I've dragged the little car 8 plus hours to a track and then another eight hours back without any drivetrain issues. The RVs doing flat Towing have to worry about rocks hitting the front of the little car more than dollies
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 142
Total Cats: 7
From: toronto
A lot of vehicles are flat towed behind RVs here because of all the snowbirds. I've seen several Miatas. And there's a lot of tow dollies, too. That's where I got my used dolly. I've dragged the little car 8 plus hours to a track and then another eight hours back without any drivetrain issues. The RVs doing flat Towing have to worry about rocks hitting the front of the little car more than dollies
ended up on a gravel road once in a zombie state of ''just listen to google maps shortcuts''. if you're picky about paint, flat towing definitely not for you.
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A serious question...
Why is it preferable to tow with a tow bar vs a tow dolly? Anything other than expense of the dolly? The only experience I have with towing is with a trailer and really short local stuff with tow bar.
Why is it preferable to tow with a tow bar vs a tow dolly? Anything other than expense of the dolly? The only experience I have with towing is with a trailer and really short local stuff with tow bar.
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I imagine it's because you still have to store a dolly somewhere and he indicated space at home was tight already.
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In my friends case it is because Uhaul won't rent him a dolly. His 4runner is slightly lifted and they don't like that.
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Elite Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,822
Total Cats: 144
From: NorthWest NJ
Seriously? We rented a dolly from a u-haul and dragged the Miata behind a 98 Buick Regal with a 2000lb rated hitch (shhh, we didn't tell them it isn't a heavy duty one). They didn't even blink or look at the car. Getting the miata on the dolly was fu though, cause it had thebone front wheel forcefully installed jn the fender....
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Elite Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,822
Total Cats: 144
From: NorthWest NJ
Fairnuff. We made sure to take it super easy amd doubled up on the saftey chains and everything. But I am still surprised a small lift just makes them say he can't rent them.
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