Pulling a trailer 4 miles round trip

[lennyslosers]

2009 Mazda 5 Sport automatic. I know the owners manual says not to pull a trailer. But I would only pull a very small trailer (4 x 6) about 2 miles back and forth to Home Depot with a small load of wood or garden supplies. What do yall think.

 

[Rocket]

I pull a jon boat, utility trailer, and even a small camper regularly. I have 102,000 miles on an '06 and no problems.

 

[Saluki]

Rocket: Is yours an auto or manual trans?

 

[Rocket]

Auto

 

[lindsayt]

In other markets the same setup is recommended for some pretty significant trailer loads - like 2000 lbs, IIRC - so I don't think it's a question of whether or not the vehicle can do it - it clearly can. It's more a question of how you feel about discussing the matter with your dealer if somehow your 5's powertrain gets damaged, because of the trailering or not. It seems unlikely that what you're describing could possibly cause any problems - much smaller vehicles have hauled much more for longer distances. Technically, it voids warranty coverage if any damage comes as a result though.

If it weren't for the warranty I wouldn't even think twice about doing what you describe. The car's easily good for it.

 

[KBrian]

While I agree that warranty issues can override practicality, I would not tow with a manual in the 5. IMO the clutch is much too frail compared to the torque converter. Put 6 passengers in the 5 and lots of clutch slipping is required to pull away from a stop smoothly. Regular towing would likely fry the clutch.

However, the auto trans is probably much tougher and could tow a 2k lb trailer easily, IMO.

 

[thaxman]

This is why I have a $3000 truck. Not used much, but whenever I'm in it, you can be sure there's a bunch of junk in the bed!

 

[Vindikacione]

Who makes hitches that install on a MZ5?

 

[sephiroth]

you'll be fine..5 persons and luggage is more intense than hauling a small trailer 2 miles. They just put that disclaimer down for legality purposes so some dumba$$ american dosen't go to try to haul his 2ton dolly with a 1964 3ton buick on it and then cry back to the dealership when the transmission explodes. It's just easier to say 'dont do it at all' rather than say 'do it, but only up to X amount' that just gives leeway to do it over X.

 

[ljmattox]

Reese, Curt, Valley Tow, and UHaul, among possibly others, offer hitches.

Two basic designs are a) uses two bolts thru the bumper support and a u-clamp around the tow hook (Reese, Valley Tow), or b) four bolts thru the bumper support (Curt, UHaul). And yes, it's likely one company is making type "a", another type "b" and everyone else is just re-branding them.

I have a Reese hitch in my garage waiting to be installed for our bicycle carrier.