Towing with 2007 Mazda 5

[viamaz]

My Mazda 5 manual says the car was not designed for towing and the warranty is void if I do. I'm not concerned about the warranty any more. However, when I called the dealer, they said that the 2007 electrical system isn't designed for the extra load that the towing lights would put on it and I might damage the car's electrical system. Apparently, this is the reason you shouldn't tow with a 2007 model.

Can anyone confirm this? I've seen lots of internet site where I can buy towing kits for 2007 Mazda 5's. I have not seen any mention of this issue with the electrical system on the internet. So I am confused.

Thanks for any help

Dan

 

[jason10phan]

Hi i also call the dealer and they said the same thing. But anyway i don't care, i still tow a small tent trailer ( 1000 lbs loaded ). For the electrical system, it's only the break (turn signal and tail light system) so this one is weird?. For towing i do tow with my 2010 Mazda 5.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Practically every country except the US has the 5/Premacy rated for towing 2000lbs...

 

[J.P.]

The recommended trailer lighting converter box only uses the wiring for the tail lights as a signal. The power wire for the trailer light converter box goes straight to the battery. I have seen many Mazda 5s wired with regular converter boxes, and no problems. I have an older utility trailer that runs incandescent light bulbs, so I went with the recommended box. Newer trailers with LED lighting might not be a problem with load. The cost difference between the two types of converter boxes is minimal, so it comes down to the time involved with running a wire directly to the battery.

From what I have read, vehicles must be crash tested with a hitch installed before the manufacturers can endorse any type of towing.

 

[Wishmaster]

I've been towing with mine quite a bit, including 5 hour road trips through mountain passes during the winter... never had an issue. I think there are a lot of people who have added aftermarket stereo systems and amps that would be taxing the 5's electrical system much more than a few lights would and I haven't heard of any issues there. But just as an FYI, the wiring system I purchased asks you to run a wire directly to the battery (comes with an in-line fuse), everything else is plug and play.

I think that line they're feeding you about the electrical system is just to dodge the real reason Mazda (and most auto manufacturers) don't support towing with small vehicles in North America - the warranty and liability issues that arise from telling Joe and Jane Doe that their little car can tow. These people then proceed to try and tow a 5000 lb boat or camper through the mountains, die in a ball of fire, then, as is the North American tradition, no matter how much Joe and Jane were in the wrong, their family sues Mazda.

Anyway, here are a couple of good threads that address good ways to set up your wiring, where to buy wiring systems, good hitches, etc, etc:

Specifically about the wiring - http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123746422-trailer-light-wiring
(I ran mine through the interior)

General towing and hitch info - http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123812013-towing&p=5907374&highlight=#post5907374