trailering an mx5

[olboy]

Sorry if I'm in the wrong section but I'm new here and I'm old so please excuse. I'm new to mx5's ( Na )and am on a steep learning curve. I have one I'm going to be doing hillclimbs and supersprints with and as its so low I was wondering how everyone else ties theres down to there trailers. I've come from the datsun camp and it was never a problem, just climb under tie a chain and away you go but this car is very low and I'm not getting any younger so I'm open to ideas.
Thanks in advance
olboy

[Blue94t]

I tend to use blocks of wood under the trailer ramps and under the rear wheels of the tow vehicle to load my MX5.
I run at around 100mm from the ground to the front crossmember. It still tends to scrape a little.

[greenMachine]

Get some longer ramps?

[fish]

I use ratchet straps thru the rims at the front and a chain from the tow hooks at the back

[Blue94t]

I am still using hire trailers until I build my own

I use ratchet straps through the front wheels and ratchet straps to the rear tow hooks.
Hire trailers suck for tie down points too

[MrsB]

We've got a tilt trailer. Great for loading low cars.

We chain to the front through the front tow point. Ratchet straps to tow points at the rear. Really easy & car does'nt move.

Saw a great little trailer for sale the other day in Hastings. Perfect size for an MX5. Dual axel, tilt, tyre carrier, nice short ramps which Mr B does'nt think is an issue, but for me I like them. I need something I can comfortably load and unload on my own. A friend of mine had his Mustang on it and it was a bit short for what he wanted. We're both going to pretty much copy it with mods each of us want and have it built in gal. pm me if you want me to find out contact details of seller. He wanted $5500 ono.

good luck
Chris

[rascal]

I tow my NB on a 10x6 tandem. ratchet strap from front tow hooks to A frame, ratchet strap rims to rear of trailer.
If going on a long trip then add a chain on front for my own peace of mind..

[d-mag]

As far as loading goes for a low car olboy, I reverse my tow car up onto a set of ramps. Gives the perfect angle to get a lowered car on the trailer.

Agree with Rascal, tie the wheels down at the rear NOT the car itself (you don't want to know how I know this!).

[rascal]

tie the wheels down at the rear NOT the car itself (you don't want to know how I know this!).

Sounds like a story there......

[MattR]

Agree with Rascal, tie the wheels down at the rear NOT the car itself (you don't want to know how I know this!).

And the front too.....

With my Z I have a ratchet strap for each wheel going through the rim and tying off to the ends of the trailer, front to the front corners and rear to the rear corners where I can find suitable tie off points. I'm stuck with hire trailers for a while yet

This will allow the car's suspension to work on the trailer and I find makes it a lot nicer to tow when the car can also move up and down. Also don't forget to make sure that the car is not in gear.

[olboy]

This will allow the car's suspension to work on the trailer and I find makes it a lot nicer to tow when the car can also move up and down. Also don't forget to make sure that the car is not in gear.

Why wouldn't you put it in gear ?

[fish]

Why wouldn't you put it in gear ?

farks the gearbox

[Grumpy]

Interesting comment on the gearbox Fish.
I built a tilting tandem trailer for the MX5, and use ratchet straps through the wheels, but the car is always in gear with the handbrake on.
Have towed it this way for the last 3 years and have not farked a gearbox.

[fish]

probably more important for longer trips like to sydney melbourne etc
10 , 11 hrs of straight bumps jiggles etc which may move the wheels a tiny bit when it is in gear
is said to be not a real good idea ....i was told this by some of the "old" racing guys so i just do it !!!

[Grumpy]

I too am an "old" guy.
This year have made 2 trips north. Bathurst at Easter and Oran Park in July.
It could be a problem without the handbrake on, but not one I have ever come across.