I don’t currently own an mx-5, and am trying to decide between the two models that I like before purchasing. One thing on my mind is how well the mk1 is for towing.
I know both watling and witter sell towbars, but I’ve been able to find any solid information on what the mx-5 can tow and which models are permitted to tow (uk/eunos).
Looking online the information I’ve gleaned suggests a 500, 700 or 750kg towing limit (for all three engines?) and that only cars registered with the DVLA before 1998 can tow as any registered after this date aren’t able to be fitted with type approved towbars.
This means an imported vehicle built before 1998 but imported after wouldn’t be able to tow? I presume also it would fall foul of the higher emissions based road tax?
Then online I’ve read that the DVLA won’t allow a vehicle to tow if no train weight is provided on the vin plate, and that the section is rated 0kg on the mx-5 and missing completely on the eunos and that in turn if a Eunos is imported without the towing capacity on the v5c then it can’t tow, but it’s okay for it to be missing on the v5c of an mx-5.
You can probably by this point understand why I’m so confused by all this. I’ve looked online for the gross train weight etc. Also tried to see pictures of weight plates on the mx-5 on google images to try and glean the information from those but those that were found had no weight information at all.
So could anyone provide me with this information as I’ve been unable to find it online, and all the technical specs that are online seem to mention everything except these figures and which cars are permitted to tow and which aren’t.
I think judging by the information here it’s likely to be too much of a hassle at the end of the day to find a uk based tow-worthy car for the low towing weights you’d feel safe towing with.
Ideally I’d been hoping it could cope with one of the older small braked caravans/trailer tents that tend to be in the 460kg unladen 520/550kg max. laden range but while I have seen images of an old eriba puck (460kg ulw) in tow by one it sounds like it may still be unwise.
They tow up to 700kg fine, but you feel it. One member has even towed a small caravan, but the wind resistance killed the fuel consumption. Trailer tent would be ok
Having towed caravans and car trailers for many years I wanted to see how an imported Mk1 would be like with a small caravan, these Freedom caravans are very lightweight at 700kg and the 1.6 Mk1 pulled it fine, Richardn followed me on the way to a show so he does know first hand, the only problem was the height, they do sit rather high up with a high wind resistance factor so the fuel consumption was terrible. As Richard states a trailer tent would be ideal.
Top of the range Jetstream First Class no less, we don’t do roughing it at CNW Up the hills in fourth, fifth on the flat. You do need to be an experienced tugger not for the faint hearted. Would rather have my Nissan and the twin axle caravan any day.
You might have to be friended on the facebook page link for it to work, worked for me just now when I tried it.
Ah that’s probably why then (about the link). I thought maybe it was a public page (I don’t actually have a Facebook account).
So, a U.K. Mx5 should be able to tow one of these fairly safely and legally then? (520 unladen, 685 gross) since it’s gross is 5kg above a sunseekers’ unladen weight.
Lighter and lower than a sunseeker (with the roof down), but 43cm longer overall length.
