I was wondering if anyone knows what would be the limits of towing withthe mazda 5. I know the owners manual says not to but i come from the mazda3 community and people used to install hitches and tow with no issues,all the time. Maybe just install a trans cooler. I have also found several hitches available online that have a tow capacity of 2000lbs with tounge weight of 200 lbs, so....... anyone with experience know what the limits would be to safely tow with the 5.
towing???
- Thread starter d-machine
- Start date
any experience with doing so that would lead to saying dont do it? I'm not really looking for opinions because i know most would say "dont do it because the manual says so" but as stated before it was advised against with the 3 but i saw people doing it all the time with no ill effects so just looking to get insight from anyone with experience
In the US, you're not supposed to tow with it. In Europe, the hitches are designed and attach quite differently and they have an ok tow rating for a small car.
I personally won't tow with our's because I put hitch on and know how/where it's attached and don't feel that it's that strong of a connection to the car. I do carry a 2-bike rack though and have no qualms about that.
I personally won't tow with our's because I put hitch on and know how/where it's attached and don't feel that it's that strong of a connection to the car. I do carry a 2-bike rack though and have no qualms about that.
wedginator
Member
- :
- 09 Mazda 5
I've towed with the 5 with no problems. This load is under 2000 lbs. Here's the breakdown of weight: Trailer: 300lbs, ZX6: 420lbs, FZ1: ~500lbs Total weight ~1220 lbs. Plus a full load of luggage in the rear of the 5. This was a road trip from Toronto to North Carolina. Pulled this weight up and down the mountains with the A/C on with ease. Keep the trailer load under 2000 lbs and you'll be fine.
Wishmaster
Member
- :
- 07 Galaxy Gray AT Mazda5 GT
Mazda North American does not officially support towing with this vehicle..., but in the UK they do!! In the United Kingdom, the 5 can be had with any of four different 4-cylinder engines. According to Mazda's UK website, the weights they can tow are rated as follows:
Trailer without brakes
For all engines: 600 kg, or 1322 lbs.
Trailer with brakes (12% gradient)
~110 hp 1.8 gas: 1300 kg, or 2866 lbs
~145 hp 2.0 gas: 1400 kg, or 3086 lbs
~110 hp 2.0 diesel: 1400 kg, or 3086 lbs
~143 hp 2.0 diesel: 1400 kg, or 3086 lbs
So, as per Mazda, I'd keep that max weight under 1300 pounds, especially since it's not rated for towing here.
And just double check your max tongue weight, I installed a "hidden hitch" on my 5 and it's max tongue weight is only 200 lbs, so... just be carefull! - http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...cleid=20077475
If you're careful and use common sense there is no reason this vehicle can not do some moderate towing. I installed the hitch myself and am fully confident in it's attachment points. I bought a small (4 foot x 4 foot) trailer and use it all the time to tow camping gear, stuff to the dump, topsoil, etc, etc... add a hitch and have fun!
Also make sure you buy a plug and play wiring system for your trailer lights if you go the trailer route. It's actually very easy to install... and this thread has some good tips... I did it through the interior the way one of the posters mentions - http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123746422-trailer-light-wiring and used this kit - http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Mazda/5/2007/118520.html?vehicleid=20077474
Trailer without brakes
For all engines: 600 kg, or 1322 lbs.
Trailer with brakes (12% gradient)
~110 hp 1.8 gas: 1300 kg, or 2866 lbs
~145 hp 2.0 gas: 1400 kg, or 3086 lbs
~110 hp 2.0 diesel: 1400 kg, or 3086 lbs
~143 hp 2.0 diesel: 1400 kg, or 3086 lbs
So, as per Mazda, I'd keep that max weight under 1300 pounds, especially since it's not rated for towing here.
And just double check your max tongue weight, I installed a "hidden hitch" on my 5 and it's max tongue weight is only 200 lbs, so... just be carefull! - http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...cleid=20077475
If you're careful and use common sense there is no reason this vehicle can not do some moderate towing. I installed the hitch myself and am fully confident in it's attachment points. I bought a small (4 foot x 4 foot) trailer and use it all the time to tow camping gear, stuff to the dump, topsoil, etc, etc... add a hitch and have fun!
Also make sure you buy a plug and play wiring system for your trailer lights if you go the trailer route. It's actually very easy to install... and this thread has some good tips... I did it through the interior the way one of the posters mentions - http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123746422-trailer-light-wiring and used this kit - http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Mazda/5/2007/118520.html?vehicleid=20077474
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Experience? As in 30 years of driving, owned 22 cars and trucks, rebuilt four transmissions on my own vehicles, own a Mazda 5 with a POS transmission?
If I was ignorant and had no business posting an opinion, I wouldn't have posted an opinion.
Go tow all you want. Yeah. Towing is a great idea.
im not trying talk crap or anything here, becasue as i stated in the original post ive seen it done with the 3 which has the same drivetrain with no ill effects in the long run so i was looking for people who have experience with the 5. I know the mazda 3/5 have crappy transmissions but a its nothing a little maintenance and a trans cooler as backup wont help
Wishmaster
Member
- :
- 07 Galaxy Gray AT Mazda5 GT
Don't worry about Robotz, he's just cranky.
As far as I'm concerned, crappy trans or not, this vehicle is built to handle 6 people, a full tank of gas + a bit of load. Mazda doesn't say anything about not supporting hanging bikes off the back or throwing a few hundred pounds of gear onto a roof rack/box, so what's the difference. It's actually easier on the car of you can transfer a significant amount of that weight onto another axle (ie. a trailer). And unless you'll be pulling a good load through the mountains you probably don't need the cooler. But, when I'm pulling a load, I am a bit more careful with the tranny... When accelerating or city driving or driving up a mountain, I keep it manu-matic mode so that I control when it upshifts, you don't need to, but it's probably wise just to add that extra saftey buffer on what what Robotz correctly states is a bit of weaker auto tranny.
Also, the ball mount I use is cushioned, similar to these - http://goo.gl/i47h6 - but I can't seem to fins the 1-1/4" variety right now. This will also help with heavier loads.
As far as I'm concerned, crappy trans or not, this vehicle is built to handle 6 people, a full tank of gas + a bit of load. Mazda doesn't say anything about not supporting hanging bikes off the back or throwing a few hundred pounds of gear onto a roof rack/box, so what's the difference. It's actually easier on the car of you can transfer a significant amount of that weight onto another axle (ie. a trailer). And unless you'll be pulling a good load through the mountains you probably don't need the cooler. But, when I'm pulling a load, I am a bit more careful with the tranny... When accelerating or city driving or driving up a mountain, I keep it manu-matic mode so that I control when it upshifts, you don't need to, but it's probably wise just to add that extra saftey buffer on what what Robotz correctly states is a bit of weaker auto tranny.
Also, the ball mount I use is cushioned, similar to these - http://goo.gl/i47h6 - but I can't seem to fins the 1-1/4" variety right now. This will also help with heavier loads.
