Towing a small sports car behind a Class C

dons2346 wrote:
Best way to find out if it is towable is to look in the owners manual under "recreational towing".

X2
IMHO the only way to determine if a car is towable 4-down or dolly. It's all right there in the car manual.

There are some small, sporty roadsters that can be towed four down, particularly manual transmission front drive or mid-engine with transaxle, and even a few front-engine rear drive (like Miata). Some will have lubrication procedures to follow (typically start the engine every so many miles and spin the transmission in neutral to re-splash everything).

But I don't think you are going to get either BMW or Porsche to say this is OK with one of their cars.

Bigger issue than transmission lubrication, for sports cars, tends to be ground clearance, suspension and steering geometry. Forces at the towbar connection tend to slam things to the suspension stops on bumps and dips you might otherwise drive over, and steering geometry tends toward quick response rather than stability in trail. Even if you don't damage suspension you might be rapidly chewing up expensive performance tires.

Anything car really valuable to me I would put on a trailer, but for some people their Boxster or even a "plain" Ferrari might be treated as a beater.

I see quite a few older Miatas being towed, and the occasional MR-2.

RTrider wrote:
What have others done in this case?

Gary,

I have sent you a Private Message.

Tim

Get you a Honda. CR-V, problem solved

tropical36 wrote:
I have seen older manual shift Miata's being towed and their fish mouth for a grille, makes for a good base plate mounting area.

It is not just older Miatas that are being towed. I tow a 2012 and have a friend who is towing a 2014.

Tim

I traded in my truck for a smart car because it the car is only 1,800 lbs and is hook-and-go. A battery disconnect switch is the only mod needed (other than the tow bar) for towing.

2-seater
5-speed manual with paddle shifters on the column (OK, technically an automated manual. It has no clutch pedal)
sporty -ish
excellent gas mileage (I average 42 mpg)
74 hp

RTrider wrote:
I would like to buy a 'manual shift' sports car like a boxter, or BMW and would tow it on a tow dolly or possibly 4 down. any issues?

Could you just leave it in neutral and go?

I guess you could back it up on a tow dolly??

What have others done in this case?

Gary

Four down would be my first preference and it would be better to do some studying here... Dinghy Towing and before buying anything. Then re-post for other owners with the vehicle you've chosen for their input and experience, as you might be changing your mind. I have seen older manual shift Miata's being towed and their fish mouth for a grille, makes for a good base plate mounting area. My second thought would be for a trailer and never a dolly for a sports car, especially a rear wheel drive. In fact, no car likes being towed with it's front wheels down.

Best way to find out if it is towable is to look in the owners manual under "recreational towing".

You would put a Boxter on a tow dolly backwards?

Generally you cannot tow a RWD vehicle on a dolly. But they may be able to be towed 4 down with the manual tranny.