I have searched for info on towing backwards and have found that it is not advised to do so. I fully realize that it isn't recommended.Having said that, I would like to hear from anyone that does tow backward and what their experience has been. I am thinking about buying a 2001 Miata automatic and would like some input from those who do tow backwards.Please do not reiterate the advice to not tow backwards. I have researched the topic thoroughly. I am just looking for some persona; input from those who do tow backwards on a tow dolly.Thanks in advance,Bruce

While I have never done it, I have seen it many times on the highways and byways of Montana. It seems to work just fine. At least, the ones I see doing it have been on the road for many hundreds of miles before I see them here. That tells me that they didn't have any problems!

I'd expect somewhat higher front tire wear when towing backwards. The typical toe-in adjustment turns the wheels slightly in towards each other at the front, so they run straight when the steering tolerances tighten up as the vehicle moves forward. Towing it backwards would exacerbate the spread at the rear of the wheels, causing the tires to scuff a bit more. I sometimes towed cars backwards with a tow truck, but that was generally for fairly short distances. The steering wheel needs to be firmly strapped in place of course. Don't rely on the steering wheel lock.

mowermech wrote:While I have never done it, I have seen it many times on the highways and byways of Montana. It seems to work just fine. At least, the ones I see doing it have been on the road for many hundreds of miles before I see them here. That tells me that they didn't have any problems!I too, have also witnessed vehicles being towed backwards. I did receive a reply from a person on the Miata MX5 forum that he does it all the time with no complications.

Dutch_12078 wrote:I'd expect somewhat higher front tire wear when towing backwards. The typical toe-in adjustment turns the wheels slightly in towards each other at the front, so they run straight when the steering tolerances tighten up as the vehicle moves forward. Towing it backwards would exacerbate the spread at the rear of the wheels, causing the tires to scuff a bit more. I sometimes towed cars backwards with a tow truck, but that was generally for fairly short distances. The steering wheel needs to be firmly strapped in place of course. Don't rely on the steering wheel lock.Thanks Dutch. The steering wheel is a critical factor and I would strap it down and not rely on the lock. Hope fully the tire wear will be minimal.

I am preparing to tow a Miata with a manual transmission. I plan to put front wheels up. Search for Miata forums on dolly towing. It seems that owners use both methods.

Towing backwards on a dolly | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

Healeyman
Explorer
Jan 03, 2015
I was asked "How can you set up a miata to tow 4 down cheaper than a tow dolly?".

Without injecting my personal "I like this" or "I don't like that", I gave two examples.

Tim
wbwood
Explorer
Jan 03, 2015
I'm a safimist....and don't wanna screw up my rvimist and carimist...lol

Seriously... saw no mention of braking... I had a Toyota Yaris (picture in signature) and now a focus. Base plate for either one was $400. They both required cutting/altering the facia (which I don't like). Installation costs was as much if not more. I'm not a mechanic, nor pretend to be one and rely on those to do it like I depend on surgeons and doctors. A tow bar is easily $600-1000. Braking...you can go anywhere from $300ish (for a surge brake) or up to $1000. I would truly go with a surge system. I don't like the ideas of a wire pulling my brake pedal or pulling something that is pushing my brake pedal. And then you have lights and etc...
Healeyman
Explorer
Jan 03, 2015
wbwood wrote:
How can you set up a miata to tow 4 down cheaper than a tow dolly?

Being an engineer and a MIL-Spec certified welder, I designed, fabricated, and installed the baseplate and tow bar for my first Miata. A 2000.

I had less than $50 in it and towed the Miata for over 35,000 miles with it.

For a pre-2005 Miata, if you are a minimalist, you can buy a high quality baseplate for $100, a Harbor Freight stiff-arm tow bar for $65, and HF magnetic lights for $20 = Under $200.

If you choose to set up a 2006+ Miata, the baseplate is $400, an articulated tow bar can be had for $300 and the magnetic lights are still $20.

The above assumes self-installation of the baseplate. If not, add another $250 -> $500.

If you are a maximumist you can spend $2,500 or more to do the same thing.

Tim
wbwood
Explorer
Jan 01, 2015
Healeyman wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
he said he is buying an automatic.

Actually, the OP, Howdja said that he was buying an automatic.

I quoted Jim who said that he was preparing to tow a manual with the front wheels up.

Tim

How can you set up a miata to tow 4 down cheaper than a tow dolly? Not saying you can't, just interested in how. Our ACME tow dolly with surge brakes cost around $1300... we've seen prices nearly twice that amount (if not more) to do a complete 4 down set up.
Healeyman
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
he said he is buying an automatic.

Actually, the OP, Howdja said that he was buying an automatic.

I quoted Jim who said that he was preparing to tow a manual with the front wheels up.

Tim
Howdja
Explorer
Nov 05, 2014
PROBLEM SOLVED folks. I went to test drive a standard Miata today, and was able to get into and out of the car OK. But when I tried to actuate the clutch. I found my knee was jammed against the underside of the steering wheel and I had difficulty getting my foot on the clutch pedal, my leg is too long, so regretfully the Miata is no longer on my list.

Thanks for all the replies and thoughts.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Nov 05, 2014
Click on how I tow below. Tire wear is not a problem having towed this way for over 75K miles. If you where going to tow it backwards with a small vehicle I would say take it slow but with your MH it will not be a problem.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 05, 2014
Healeyman wrote:
jim1632 wrote:
I am preparing to tow a Miata with a manual transmission. I plan to put front wheels up.

Jim,

Why are you choosing to dolly tow a Manual Transmission Miata? Depending on the year of the car (NA/NB vs. NC), it is probably cheaper and FAR easier to flat tow it.

With information and hardware sources, I have helped more than 75 Miata owners to get their cars towable behind their RVs.

The ONLY driveline damage that has EVER been reported to me was on a 5-speed manual on a dolly.

Dolly tow with caution.....

PM me if you want to know more about 4-down Miata towing.

Tim

he said he is buying an automatic.
Healeyman
Explorer
Nov 05, 2014
jim1632 wrote:
I am preparing to tow a Miata with a manual transmission. I plan to put front wheels up.

Jim,

Why are you choosing to dolly tow a Manual Transmission Miata? Depending on the year of the car (NA/NB vs. NC), it is probably cheaper and FAR easier to flat tow it.

With information and hardware sources, I have helped more than 75 Miata owners to get their cars towable behind their RVs.

The ONLY driveline damage that has EVER been reported to me was on a 5-speed manual on a dolly.

Dolly tow with caution.....

PM me if you want to know more about 4-down Miata towing.

Tim
Howdja
Explorer
Nov 05, 2014
Hi jim1632 and Golden HVAC.

Thanks for the replies and info. There are a lot of opinions out there, pro and con, and some of them even make sense.;)

Actual experience is what I am requesting. Seems like there are a number of folks towing backward w/o any complications. I agree with them.

The condition and the selling price of the Miata is why I am buying one with an automatic transmission. If it weren't such a fantastic deal, I would wait and buy one with a standard. It will mainly be my play toy to enjoy all the back roads here in the Texas hill country, but will be our toad on some of our motorhomr trips.