weighing down a mazda5

[libraryguy]

Hi there

Great forum. I currently own a 2003 MPV, and looking to buy a Mazda5. However, I am not sure that the 5 will accommodate the weight requirements that we have become accustomed to with the MPV. I have GVRW numbers, etc., for both vehicles, but I am looking for real world experience.

Typically in the summer, I load the MPV down with four people, a roof top carrier, camping supplies for a week, and a bike carrier with four bikes. With all this, there is little clearance between the tire and the wheel well. I can only imagine the situation on the Mazda5 (with a class 1 hitch)

At one point I was thinking that I would use the hitch to pull the bikes with a small utility trailer, but then learned that the vehicle is not rated in NA to tow

Any comments?
thanks
libraryguy

 

[eyeballs]

I think you'll be fine, I've had no issues with mine packed up full inside plus a cargo box on top. Worst case scenario your shocks will wear out quicker giving you a good excuse to upgrade.

 

[cdnballer]

What cargo box/roof rails did you install eyeballs? I'm interested in picking one up.

 

[Orangutan]

The max limit for passengers, cargo, and fuel is about 1,000 pounds. I took a long distance trip in mine the summer of 2011 with four adults, our luggage (including scuba tanks and gear), and a hitch-mounted cargo carrier. It struggled mightily in the mountains but we made it. The butt was sagging pretty heavily but my suspension is still intact. We actually took the 5 because it has a greater weight rating than any of the other vehicles we could've taken, including a CR-V and an Xterra.

 

[DougNuts]

You mention having the GVRW numbers, how do they compare with the MPV?

I don't have a Mazda5 yet, but it sounds like you may need a van with a V6.

 

[Orangutan]

Looks like the MPV has a higher GVWR than the Mazda5 by a couple hundred pounds.

 

[libraryguy]

Thanks, all. From posts in other areas of this forum, it looks like I am limited to a Class 1 hitch, which means carrying maximum 2 bikes on a carrier. Based on comments here, other posts on the web, it looks like I could use the roof top carrier (not sure which roof rack yet, and just a generic cargo carrier), load the back, and add two bikes on a hitch carrier. Maybe I would get two folding bikes for me and the wife.

Of course, the other option is a Rav4, which has 1500lbs towing capacity. And when I price in all the do-dads, and Ontario sales tax, I'm looking almost identical $32K for Mazda5 and Rav42013. Which then leads to the question: 6th seat, or towing capacity?

MPV: GVWR = 5620, curb weight = 3754, payload - 1506, towing = 2000
Mazda5: GVWR = 4608, curb weight = 3417, payload = 1191, towing = N/A
Rav4 2012: GVWR = 4430, curb weight = 3300, payload = 1130, towing = 1500 (with optional 3rd row if I could find one at a dealer)
Rav4 2013: GVRW = 4600, curb weight = 3486, payload = 1114, towing = 1500

 

[Davicho]

I also feel that with all the cargo (luggage, gear, bikes and passengers) you're better of with a full size minivan with a V6. The Mazda5 will probably do it but you will be pushing its limits at the expense of fuel economy and strain on the power train and chassis. Just my $0.02

 

[eyeballs]

I've got an inno rack with wide crossbars. I fit the yakima cargo box in the middle, and a mountain bike outboard from the towers on either side.

 

[Wishmaster]

The one thing you left out is the Mazda5 towing capacity. Yes it it not rated to tow in NA, but that hasn't stopped many of us from installing hitches and towing reliably for years. I been using a small trailer for garbage/dirt/camping gear/etc for a couple years now. And actually, using a small trailer and moving some of the weight off of the 5's two axles and onto a third axle will help with any overloading issues. But, I own a 2007 and am out of the warranty period.

The stated towing capacity of the 2.0 litre engine (vs the 2.3 of the older cars and the 2.5 of the newer cars here in NA) in the uk is 600 kg or just over 1300 lbs - http://www.mazda.co.uk/assets/uk/cars/brochures/mazda5/mazda5-brochure.pdf?epslanguage=en

FYI - The towing capacity of the UK 1.0 litre Toyota Yaris is... just over 1200 lbs, yes... the YARIS! This whole towing thing is just a North American liability issue. - http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toy...aris-specification&zone=Zone+NG+Yaris&sr=Mall

 

[Installshield 2]

The one thing you left out is the Mazda5 towing capacity. Yes it it not rated to tow in NA, but that hasn't stopped many of us from installing hitches and towing reliably for years. I been using a small trailer for garbage/dirt/camping gear/etc for a couple years now. And actually, using a small trailer and moving some of the weight off of the 5's two axles and onto a third axle will help with any overloading issues. But, I own a 2007 and am out of the warranty period.

The stated towing capacity of the 2.0 litre engine (vs the 2.3 of the older cars and the 2.5 of the newer cars here in NA) in the uk is 600 kg or just over 1300 lbs - http://www.mazda.co.uk/assets/uk/cars/brochures/mazda5/mazda5-brochure.pdf?epslanguage=en

FYI - The towing capacity of the UK 1.0 litre Toyota Yaris is... just over 1200 lbs, yes... the YARIS! This whole towing thing is just a North American liability issue. - http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_editorial.jsp?navRoot=toyota_1024_root&fullwidth=true&noLeftMenu=true&forceText=%3Cnone%3E&edname=CC2-Yaris-specification&id=CC2-Yaris-specification&zone=Zone+NG+Yaris&sr=Mall

exactly...don't expect anything mandated by the US department of transportation to have any bearing on reality...The DOT simply draws the assumption that 'all' buyers of a particular car will not understand how to safely tow cargo...and refuse to rate that specific vehicle for whatever reason...

where as you go to England and they'll tow 1800lb 'caravans' with civics...perfectly fine...

so realistically the only concern should be your warranty and what that entails...if it seems you'll lose coverage by having a hitch installed, might not be a great idea...but i'm not exactly sure how you get all that info...

weird that i saw this thread, too...on my way in to work today i saw a protege 5..black, just like mine...towing 2 jet ski's...and it was seemingly doing just fine at it...

 

[Silentnoise713]

As long as you are not demanding/expecting speed or fuel efficiency, and willing to replace the stock shocks with Knoi (I'd recommend the FSDs in your case), the Mz5 will work fine.