Miata Mailing List: August 1995, Message #88
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   From: sling@netcom.com (Steve Ling)
Subject: Re: How much can a Miata Tow?
   Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 01:44:34 -0400

JRudzki@swri.edu (John E. Rudzki Sr. Elect. Technician b178 x2775) wrote:
> 
> A friend asked me if I knew how much weight a Miata can tow?  Assume one of 
> those nice "hidden" receiver type hitches.  He wants to get a small 
> camping-type trailer (used) and doesn't want to pay _big_ bucks for it.
> Owner's manual and shop manual say nothing.

 I have pulled a small trailer with my Miata for autocross (back when I had
TIME for that). Loaded with tires and tools it weighed around 250 lbs with
about 90 lbs of that on the tongue. Oddly enough, acceleration wasn't a
problem; braking was. Had to recalibrate myself for how long it was going to
take to stop. I pulled that trailer all over the central US and the car
didn't seem to mind at all.

 Mazda does not recommend pulling a trailer, and until recently very few
hitches were available. Now there are some nice receiver hitches. Others
on the list can point you to sources.

 You will have to deal with the wiring. Most trailers have combination
turn/stop lights (red). Your Miata has separate turn (amber) and stop
(red) lights. I built my own converter. I suspect they are commercially
available.

Steve Ling
San Jose, CA