towing a Miata

[Outlaw]

has anyone ever towed a Mazda Miata wheels down, stick shift before? thanks

Outlaw

[bevans6]

rule of thumb is stick shift is fine to tow 4 down.  In this case Mazda seems to recommend not doing this.  They feel the transmission in neutral will not be getting splash-lubrication to the bearings.  Google "towing Mazda Miata" there is lots of discussion mostly from people who do it all the time with no issues 

Brian

[Outlaw]

remco, says put it on a trailer. i just went to there site. hmmm

Outlaw

[kyle4501]

On many manual transmissions, the cluster gear is direct meshed with the input gear. Usually the cluster gear is swimming in oil & throws it all over the place.
With the clutch engaged (foot off pedal), the input gear is turning the same speed as the motor.If the input gear isn't turning, the cluster isn't. If the cluster gear isn't turning, then none of the gears are. But, if the drive shaft is turning, the main shaft is turning inside the nonrotating gears. This is the main area of concern for lubrication. Usually the cluster gear is swimming in oil & throws it all over the place.

Many get away with towing these types of transmissions, but you gotta wonder what is happening between the gears & main shaft without good lubrication. I don't think it is likely the gears will gall up & seize to the shaft, but I can see the bushings getting a bunch of wear in them & make the transmission hard shifting & noisy! 

Some transmissions have an oil pump driven off the main shaft - these are the ones that are safe to tow. 


If necessary, I wouldn't think it'd be too big a problem to add a pump & some oil lines to keep things lubed up while riding down the road.

[luvrbus]

We towed our for years with the transmission in 5th gear with the clutch depressed with a holding device that was sold by some outfit in Oregon, I had the same setup on a 2 wheel drive Jeep pickup.
The reason for 5th was no damaged would be done to the engine if some way it did engage 1st gear would be a problem   lol 



good luck

[kyle4501]

We towed our for years with the transmission in 5th gear with the clutch depressed with a holding device that was sold by some outfit in Oregon, I had the same setup on a 2 wheel drive Jeep pickup.
The reason for 5th was no damaged would be done to the engine if some way it did engage 1st gear would be a problem   lol 



good luck

That is way easier than adding a lube pump! Did you have any issues with the pilot bearing?

[lily]

We towed our for years with the transmission in 5th gear with the clutch depressed with a holding device that was sold by some outfit in Oregon, I had the same setup on a 2 wheel drive Jeep pickup.
The reason for 5th was no damaged would be done to the engine if some way it did engage 1st gear would be a problem   lol 

good luck

I was given this same advice by a private party for towing my 5 speed truck.

Lily

[uncle ned]

I have towed my s10 chevy for the last several years 4 down. It has the 5 speed and I just start it up and let it run every time i stop which is pretty often in my old age.

To much to see and visit in the beautiful country of ours.

Back from a weeks trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  8:00 dollar a night is not to bad for built in air condition.

uncle ned

[BG6]

We towed our for years with the transmission in 5th gear with the clutch depressed with a holding device that was sold by some outfit in Oregon, I had the same setup on a 2 wheel drive Jeep pickup.
The reason for 5th was no damaged would be done to the engine if some way it did engage 1st gear would be a problem   lol 

You could easily make a clutch hold-down based on the same lines as an air-braking system like the Roadmaster.  For that matter, you could use some of the same parts (available as spares from the company).  All you would need is a second floor anchor pin and a second pedal clamp -- just mount the clamp on a piece of metal the right length, and bolt the other end to the anchor.

[Outlaw]

great ideas. thanks

Outlaw