rvtowman

I have an motorcoach and would like to tow a Miata. Mazda says it doesn't support it even with a manual trans. Why are some manufactures reluctant to stand behind the practice of towing cars with all four wheels down ?

Has something to do with gears in the trans turning without lubrication, pump not turning. I believe there is such thing as a lockout that basically disconnects the driveshaft for flat towing. Why don't you just get a trailer for the Miata?

I also have been looking into flat towing some sort of sports car behind our motor home. I currently have a BMW Z4 and when I asked the service manager at the dealership about flat towing he kind of freaked out and said absolutely not. I thought about selling the Z to buy a Miata to tow and was told by the dealership they did not recomend it at all.

Some research found many that do flat tow Miata's. Try this link http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=28158.0 or Google "flat towing a miata" and there are more comments.

I have just about convinced myself to buy a Ford Fiesta ST which also cannot be flat towed. However because it is front wheel drive I will use a tow dolly. By the time you buy a quality tow bar, base plate for the car, braking system and other stuff needed (even if you do the installation) for flat towing you have pretty much killed $3000.00 and a dolly can be purchased for about half that plus no modifications have to be made to cars front end and electrical system. Good luck!

In reply to pirate:

Thanks for the comments. I have talked to at least one person towing a Miata 4 wheels down without trouble so far. His is a manual. If you look on the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association), they have a "dinghy" guide for towing that indicates what can be towed and what can not. Dollies work for most cars but can be a pain when you reach your destination and the same but worse for trailers. if you get in a jam and have to disconnect the lot then you have to attach the trailer to the towed car just to back up. The Ford Focus 4 door and liftback are towable manual or automatic.

In addition, dollies are made to work with FWD cars ONLY. No, you can't back your RWD car on the dolly. Look at any dolly manufacturer. Uhaul does have one that works because there is a swivel plate for the tires. Don't think you can buy these commercially, unless you have a Uhaul distributorship...

Dang, and all those times I've towed a rwd car tail up on a dolly without incident.

Just lash the steering so it doesn't turn.