MazdaSpeed3 Towing Hitch

[sierra248]

Read this whole thread. Can't believe I started this monster that long ago. I don't actually believe that would be safe. That's a little to much weight as I'm assuming the car will be packed with stuff also, so were definitely talking about well over 1000lbs, maybe 1500. The heaviest stuff I see people talking about carrying is like 2 dirt bikes @ around 225lbs each or a quad(400lbs or so), maybe go-karts and stuff but your almost talking about carrying 1/2 a Miata, prob not the best idea. I Haven't kept up on this thread, once I got my car, I realized carrying a Dirt Bike with this car(Though I'm sure it could get me where I'm going) wasn't gonna be what I wanted out of my baby. Problem I foresaw was that wherever I got to is Dirt Roads and such and I HATE driving on dirt road, or after a day of mudding getting back in my car(Ughh). We complain about beach sand for Christs sake. I'm in Florida were spoiled, we hate our neighbors that sprinklers aim into the road and hit our nice clean garaged cars. LOL, Sorry Snow Belters, I'm sure you have stories of ice trucks and such dumping on you (At least you can Snow Ski)

Do I think its possible, Hell Yeah, Safe on you or your nice new car, probably. The What ifs list can get long when doing something like this, you take your time and drive especially careful, I'm sure you'll be alright but I think most here will agree that its prob not the best idea, borrow a truck or something. Maybe someone here will help u for 200 bucks or something and save u half.
Good Luck and hope the move goes well, sucks moving huh, I've done it too many times.
Tom

 

[Falconx84]

I read the whole thread.... just wasn't sure how far anyone had taken the limit to. And I suppose it's probably not worth the risk of long-term damage to save a few dollars. Hate to mess up a $24k investment to save $200.

damn.... I'm just too used to having a truck and the equipment available. And I wish uhaul used lighter weight trailers. Their lightest is like 500 lbs empty and I'll only need it for about 500 lbs of stuff (small place, just renting a bedroom)

still debating... if I can find a lightweight trailer for a decent price, it'll put me back into the 700lb total weight I was aiming for. Good thing is, its all interstate except for about 15 miles. Not bad out of 400-ish total miles

 

[goldwing2000]

still debating... if I can find a lightweight trailer for a decent price, it'll put me back into the 700lb total weight I was aiming for. Good thing is, its all interstate except for about 15 miles. Not bad out of 400-ish total miles

Look for a motorcycle trailer. I have one that I pull behind my Goldwing that only weighs 160 lbs and can carry about 900lbs. Uses a standard 1 7/8 ball and is what I was planning to pull behind my 3 if I ever needed to (still haven't even installed my hitch).

 

[AutoXRacer]

I definitely would not do it...

After installing mine, I'm a little worried/unsettled about carrying two mountain bikes (35lbs-ish each). The hitch which is heavy and made out of hardcore steel or something is attached to a thin walled aluminum bumper support. The hitch is not attached to the frame of the car!!! I can see that aluminum bumper holes getting elongated worn out... (huh)
If you are going to pull something that heavy, I can just see the aluminum bumper support bending outward and warping...
The tongue max weight is 200 LBS, but that is usually when the hitch is mounted on the frame of the car...

does it really only take about 20 min to install a hitch on the ms3? How much cutting is required on the plastic undertray?

It is about 20 mins to install and there was no cutting/trimming for me. I just had to enlarge the holes (4) slightly where the hitch bolts up to. That's it!!!

 

[Falconx84]

I took a look at the bumper supports, and I don't think it will be a good idea. It just doesn't look like it can support too much weight. I may look into the motorcycle trailer idea, tho... the stuff I have isn't that heavy its just bulky

 

[Falconx84]

I'm thinking about pulling the uhaul sport trailer or their smallest enclosed trailer. It should fit everything I have to move. I've found a couple decent prices on hitches, but does anyone have any idea on the wiring harness? Like which to use and where to connect, etc? Uhaul quoted me $195 to install the hitch and $130 for the harness install for a total of $225. This sounds pretty high to me. I know I can install the hitch myself, but I have no clue where the right wires are for the harness or which harness to use. Every vehicle I've towed with already had a harness so I've never had to mess with it too much.

4x8 enclosed
http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.aspx?equipment=trailer-4x8

sport trailer
http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.aspx?equipment=trailer-sport


your thoughts?

 

[essejkcamraw]

i had a hidden hitch installed ( for a bike rack ) sometimes has as much as 4 bikes on, no motorcycle or anything, but works so good. love it...take the rack off cant even tell there's one installed.

 

[Falconx84]

as far as the wiring kits go....

This one is supposed to use existing connections
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Trai...hash=item220192791904&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116


this one is supposed to wire in-line with the tail lights
http://www.autoanything.com/towing/65A3368A0A0.aspx

any thoughts on these?

 

[AutoXRacer]

So I finally got to use my hitch that I installed back in December!!!
Here are some pictures of the MS3 and two mountain bikes:

I put a cardboard to shield the bike rim/tire from carbon being flung from the exhaust system and the tape holding the card board MELTED and the cardboard was brittle!!!! I'm making a new shield and coating it with high temp aluminum tape.

 

[EngulfinFlames]

i know its probably been said......Why the hell would putting a tow hitch on a speed 3 even cross your mind?

 

[AutoXRacer]

i know its probably been said......Why the hell would putting a tow hitch on a speed 3 even cross your mind?

To transport mountain bikes and race tires... (2thumbs)

 

[Falconx84]

i know its probably been said......Why the hell would putting a tow hitch on a speed 3 even cross your mind?

dont hate.... I was gonna do it for my move home and also for a small tire/tool trailer. Still might later on

 

[Raymo853]

I bet you'd threaten to punch someone in the face for putting a roof rack and hauling a kayak or mountain bike on the ms3 too, huh..

news flash: the MS3 is not a sports car. the MS3 is not an exotic. the MS3 is arguably not even very easy on the eyes. Yes, it's quick, and yes it handles ok, but it's not like he's talking about towing a boat with a Porsche 911.. it's a cheap little sport wagon we're talking about.

On a bike message board, mtbr.com, there was a thread about putting roof racks on exotic cars and such. People posted photos of Porsches, Ferraris and such with Thule and Yaskima racks and one guy posted his Lotus to which he had welded a Yakima bike tray to it. He could not find a roof rack fit kit and just busted out his welder.

How about this, cars are cars be they $25,000 MS3 or $250,000 whatevers and what the owner does to it that does not make it unsafe is not your to criticize.

 

[AutoXRacer]

On a bike message board, mtbr.com, there was a thread about putting roof racks on exotic cars and such. People posted photos of Porsches, Ferraris and such with Thule and Yaskima racks and one guy posted his Lotus to which he had welded a Yakima bike tray to it. He could not find a roof rack fit kit and just busted out his welder.

How about this, cars are cars be they $25,000 MS3 or $250,000 whatevers and what the owner does to it that does not make it unsafe is not your to criticize.

I saw that thread too...

Honestly, I thought that Porsche looked cool with that roof rack on their. lol

Frankly I hate hauling bikes with my MS3 because I can't drive it hard without the fear of the bikes falling off or the hitch falling off the bumper...its just paranoia...anyway, I do like taking my car everywhere though...its a part of me and I feel comfortable in it.

 

[Ronin1]

Towing?

And this was on the Blue Ridge parkway. I towed it from PA to FL. Used to do it all the time.
And 168k on the original clutch.(moon)


Jim T.

 

[Falconx84]

On a bike message board, mtbr.com, there was a thread about putting roof racks on exotic cars and such. People posted photos of Porsches, Ferraris and such with Thule and Yaskima racks and one guy posted his Lotus to which he had welded a Yakima bike tray to it. He could not find a roof rack fit kit and just busted out his welder.

How about this, cars are cars be they $25,000 MS3 or $250,000 whatevers and what the owner does to it that does not make it unsafe is not your to criticize.

welded????? damn.... I couldnt even imagine doing that

 

[goldwing2000]

welded????? damn.... I couldnt even imagine doing that

Especially considering there isn't any metal on the top of a Lotus to weld to. (scratch)

 

[Raymo853]

Especially considering there isn't any metal on the top of a Lotus to weld to. (scratch)

I cannot find the photo or thread again on MTBR, but it was a previous model Lotus before they became fiberglass bodies.

 

[goldwing2000]

I cannot find the photo or thread again on MTBR, but it was a previous model Lotus before they became fiberglass bodies.

Ah. Maybe a Europa. Was it incredibly ugly?

 

[cld12pk2go]

So I finally got to use my hitch that I installed back in December!!!
Here are some pictures of the MS3 and two mountain bikes:

I put a cardboard to shield the bike rim/tire from carbon being flung from the exhaust system and the tape holding the card board MELTED and the cardboard was brittle!!!! I'm making a new shield and coating it with high temp aluminum tape.

Sweet! I cannot wait to get to use my latest additions:

Some people just don't seem to understand that cars are for more than handling/straightline accel...