Conflicting Info From Mazda Company and Mechanics:

gijoecam wrote:
It's really simple: Unless there is a means to disconnect the driveline from the transmission, driven wheels must be off the ground. This is a universal truth for recreational-towing all vehicles.

There is no "universal truth" for towing 4 down. There are many vehicles that can be towed 4 down with the drive wheels down and many that cannot. You have to get info for that specific vehicle. While it's true that nearly all RWD automatics can't be towed 4 down without mods, nothing in the towing world is "universal".

Generally speaking, the transmission is lubricated by the pump, which is driven by the input shaft to the transmission. If the engine isn't running, this is generally the problem. (Manual transmissions don't suffer the same issue because they are generally splash-lubricated). *some* vehicles can be towed for short distances at limited speeds without incurring any damage, which is why tow truck drivers can often get away with doing so.

Now, it's entirely possible that the Mazda engineers who designed the transmission have provided a different means of lubricating the internls with the engine off. I've heard of some transmissions whose tail bearings are splash-lubed, and it's entirely possible yours is one of them. I'd certainly put my faith in the engineers that designed the system over a tow truck driver any day!

OK so after getting many people into the same room together, to hash it out, this is what I've learned:
Mazda MPV rear wheel drive, automatic trans 1994.

This can be towed backwards on a dolly. It can be scary, Ive been told but everyone has a different opinion about it and the more experienced people are like "go ahead. its no big deal. just take it slow and keep your eyes on it"
I have a 4 camera monitor with only 3 cameras right now so I could add a tow camera to the existing system, aiming it at the car.
Tow truck drivers say "do it! its fine. all the way to mexico and back all day long". One guy even hooked it up on his rig to show me a bunch of basics and to show me what could potentially go wrong with SWAY.
Mechanics say no way, too scary.
Engineers are just trying to get me to kill my car so I have to buy another one. Why? Because the engineers at Mazda say "Sure, go ahead. Tow it on a dolly on its rear tires."
To everyone out there who might be reading this with the same questions I had in the beginning, this is what is happening if you do that:
You are running your transmission and various other components with no fluid through them, for the entire trip. The car is still in motion as if it's actually driving but it's not getting any "juice". Very bad.
*holds fist up to engineers face

I want to thank everyone here for all their help.
I really appreciate it.

It's really simple: Unless there is a means to disconnect the driveline from the transmission, driven wheels must be off the ground. This is a universal truth for recreational-towing all vehicles.

So, if the Mazda is RWD, then a dolly under the front will not work without a driveline disconnect. If the Mazda is FWD, then a dolly under the front wheels is fine.

Let's see who has more knowledge of the vehicle?

The factory?

The mechanic?

The internet?


I would tend to believe the people that BUILT IT.

Here is a previous post on towing a RWD vehicle backwards on a dolly. While towing backwards is not as stable and I would not recommend pulling it with a PU but behind a MH it is doable.
I'd go and rent a dolly and try it by locking the steering wheel straight with the seat belt. Without any traffic and at increasing speeds steer the MH quickly L/R to see what happens. Once you prove it's stable you are going to need some type of braking on the Mazda if you do not buy a dolly with brakes.
Let the "OH NO's" begin by those that have never done it. One of my favorites is about caster and camber. You might want to click on "How I Tow" below. :W

Unless you can disengage your tow vehicle differential and transmission by using lock-out hubs or transfer box then towing four down will damage those items when being towed.

The JEEP 4WD Vehicles are great choices for tow vehicles as you can just shift them out with their transfer case. When the wheels turn from being towed on the ground nothing else in the drive chain turns. We always had to drop the drive shaft on vehicles that needed towed that did not have a transfer case or lock out hubs...

Buying a car dolly or trailer is probably alot cheaper than replacing your tow vehicle transmission. Some dolly's only allows you to use two wheels off the ground. For front drive tow cars this works out great sometimes there is no connections to the rear wheels that would turn when the rear wheels are spinning.

Has nothing to do which is easier to use...

Roy Ken

some folks do tow RWD vehicles on a dolly backward. what does the owner's manual say about recreational towing or towing behind a motorhome? that is the only "legal" source.
bumpy

Only the 4WD version can be towed 4-down.

Dolly won't work because its RWD/Auto, unless the driveline is dropped, or a driveline disconnect is added. This would also allow flat-towing. A transmission lube pump would work too. Its the same transmission that was used in just about all Nissan trucks and SUVs from '88-'01.

kimberlysmoore wrote:

rv2go wrote:
You might want to check with Remco. I don't think that you can tow it 4 down.

Remco sais it has to be on a trailer. No dolly.

Why is everybody still talking about a dolly when Remco said NO DOLLY?

You need a trailer.