Truth regarding towing with the Mazda5?

[Kojack]

I have been reading about towing with the 5. Some say none, some say 1500 max. Anyone have the correct information? We have a sylvansport go trail/camper unit. it's 860 lbs, toss our 3 bikes and camping gear it gets to about 1000 max as we have all very lightweight gear. Can we pull this around in the summer with the 5?

All this said, I saw a 5 a year ago or so at a gas station with a 8ft pop up camper on tow behind it and the poor 5 loaded to the gills with gear. It did not look happy, but I think the camper had alot to do with that. I would say that camper was about 3000 lbs with 270 plus tounge weight. ha ha. Nothing like what we have....which is this.

GO Camping Trailer - SylvanSport

GO is a comfy, easy to tow, lightweight pop-up camper, that also functions as a gear & toy hauler and utility trailer! The award-winning design of the GO expands from a low profile trailer to a high volume hauler.

www.sylvansport.com

 

[negusm]

https://news.mazdausa.com/download/2015-Mazda5-Specifications.pdf

GVWR - Curb Weight = payload
4685 - 3457 = 1228lbs

Payload is just what you load the car up with, does NOT represent towing a trailer.

I can't find the GCWR which would tell you the tow weight. The car is most likely NOT rated for towing in any way.

I'd personally not do it unless you have a manual transmission.

 

[AL Cx5]

If I towed with our CX 5, I would baby it every step of the way. Slow acceleration, no passing, let the car slow down going up steep grades. Drive 5 MPH or MORE under the speed limit.

Further, I would download the app the you can change the DD to show temperatures like transmission, oil pressure and ECT. Also change fluids more often than the book, oil, diffs, trans. Spark plugs are fresh, air filter is clean or new.

I tow about 10,000 pounds with a big box, 28' enclosed trailer several thousand miles a year. I do all of the above. My truck is powered with a Cummins diesel and it WILL start fast and NOT slow down going up grades. BUT it wears out the truck very quickly. Engine has never been opened and has 285,000 miles on it. First trans went 230,000 miles. The current trans will out live me. LOL

I have a digital dash with EGT, ECT, Trans temp, oil pressure and % engine load and others. If temperatures are going up, I slow down. I'd do exactly the same with a CX 5. When I get to the destination and unload the drag car, then we beat on this car. We know the truck will take us home after racing...

I change my fluids by the book for towing. NO EXCEPTIONS. The guys who cowboy their trucks and ignore maintenance soon have huge repair bills or stop towing.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Search old treads for detail discussions.
-US Mz5 is not rated to tow BUT overseas is rated for ~1500lbs
-Rear shocks blow easily (kyb monotubes), rear springs are very soft (helper spring), transmission is spec'd for Mz3 (ext. tranny cooler), stock brakes lack (panic) stopping power (MS3 kit), lower rear end is not reinforce (SOL). <-this applies to towing something really heavy.

What you want to tow seems reasonable and don't think you'll run into much issue at all. Just know you are towing with a Mz3, disguised as a minivan. Curt class 2 is the best hitch option; no 2" receiver avail.