In the case of the tow motorcycle, you stop the load with brakes on the dolly under the front of the car.
Towing heavy with CX-5?
- Thread starter buyingconstant7
- Start date
In the case of the tow motorcycle, you stop the load with brakes on the dolly under the front of the car.
Hey everyone.
This weekend I plan on picking up a 16.5 Red GT w/tech. But im torn between the AWD and FWD, I live in sunny southern Cali so hardly no horrible weather conditions.
I know the tow capacity is 2000lbs, but is the tongue weight 200lbs? Now a NA Miata is about 2100-2300lbs and putting it on a trailer would put it around 3000lb which is way to much. But would I be able to get away with flat towing the miata instead, I read that flat towing has little to no tongue weight? Of course I would still be over the 2000lb capacity, not by much though.
Would the AWD be more benfical over the FWD let alone be able to pull the miata? Again considering I would only pull the miata 3-4 times a year to the track.
Now I have towed a large toy hauler and a boat in the past many times, so im well aware about driving saftey and tow handling capabilities and to stay at least 55mph if not less.
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This weekend I plan on picking up a 16.5 Red GT w/tech. But im torn between the AWD and FWD, I live in sunny southern Cali so hardly no horrible weather conditions.
I know the tow capacity is 2000lbs, but is the tongue weight 200lbs? Now a NA Miata is about 2100-2300lbs and putting it on a trailer would put it around 3000lb which is way to much. But would I be able to get away with flat towing the miata instead, I read that flat towing has little to no tongue weight? Of course I would still be over the 2000lb capacity, not by much though.
Would the AWD be more benfical over the FWD let alone be able to pull the miata? Again considering I would only pull the miata 3-4 times a year to the track.
Now I have towed a large toy hauler and a boat in the past many times, so im well aware about driving saftey and tow handling capabilities and to stay at least 55mph if not less.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
I have always been told wheelbase and balance and trailer length were what it was all about. I am far form a towing maven, though, having towed one thing, once, rofl!
Yes, you want a long neck on the trailer, large trailer tires, trailer must be level, 65%+ of the weight should be upfront so the trailer doesn't start bouncing and a wide trailer wheel base.
AWD would work better with towing IMHO. Better traction and power is distributed to all 4 wheels when needed.
I am off next weekend with my trailer with a 3ft 6in wheel base (Outside to outside), the trailer is 4 ft wide and has 8 in wheels. About 12% of the weight on the hitch (10%) is recommended. It does have a long neck or tongue. I have towed this trailer for years over every kind of road and off road at speeds up to 75MPH. It stays where is should and is a joy to tow. I just checked the scheduled and it will be going to eight different cities in two states. this summer.
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
Yes, you want a long neck on the trailer, large trailer tires, trailer must be level, 65%+ of the weight should be upfront so the trailer doesn't start bouncing and a wide trailer wheel base.
AWD would work better with towing IMHO. Better traction and power is distributed to all 4 wheels when needed.
Good to know. Honestly not the type of person to ever tow anything, but these are simple "life data" bits that I'll file away.
Yes, you want a long neck on the trailer, large trailer tires, trailer must be level, 65%+ of the weight should be upfront so the trailer doesn't start bouncing and a wide trailer wheel base.
AWD would work better with towing IMHO. Better traction and power is distributed to all 4 wheels when needed.
I have used trailers for 45 years. I have studied trailer design, and I have designed and built a few.
Probably the most important thing is to have 10% or slightly more of the traile weight on the hitch. This goes a long way to prevent trailer sway.
A long distance between the hitch and axel help, and it makes it much easer to back up the trailer. It is nice to have a tongue that is over half as long as the width of the car so you don't hit your own trailer when backing up.
Having the trailer level is irrelevant except to keep 10% of the weight on the hitch. Of corse it looks better and it is easer to secure the load if it is level.
Wheel size only effects tire life and how the trailer handles bumps. I often design a trailer with small wheels because I can get them under the trailer bed. This has some advantages for a utility trailer or any trailer that sees rough use. The fenders don't get beat up and the trailer don't have that wide spot that you need to look out for. If you are going to go London distances or at high speed on rough roads and you have room for big wheels they will be a bit better.
Summery, get 10% or more of the weight on the hitch, keep the running gear in good shape, the other stuff are details.
Maybe it is the trailer but my trailer with larger tires tows so much smoother than my others with smaller tires.
Isn't is actually easier on trailer wheel bearings with larger tires since tire revolutions are less or are other factors at play?
Isn't is actually easier on trailer wheel bearings with larger tires since tire revolutions are less or are other factors at play?
Yes, larger tires will give a smother ride and the bearings don't spin as fast. Tire diameter effects these but it doesn't effect the trailer staying in line and tracking well.
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- 2020 CX5 Signature
Did my first real towing yesterday with a load of mulch and a load of stone. Both were well under the maximum weight ratings and the Mazda did fine. That said I would hate to be carrying a load at or above the limit as I feel the brakes are not up to the task. They were fine for what I was using it for but I would hate to have 2500 pounds and have to brake hard on a long hill.
For my use the Mazda is a great tow vehicle but I am pulling 1500 pounds around town, not trying to pull 2500+ on vacation.
For my use the Mazda is a great tow vehicle but I am pulling 1500 pounds around town, not trying to pull 2500+ on vacation.
