Can you tow with the Mazda 3? 1000 MILES later...

🌟 THE TOWING SETUP 🌟

So, can you tow with a Mazda 3? Yes. Even though the owners manual of the US version of the car says you "can't" due to Mazda not wanting to be sued, the car is more than capable of trailering up to 1322lbs (600kg) without any additional brakes on the trailer. That's more than enough to trailer my MT07 around. In this towing setup with the Mazda 3 the total weight of my cargo (trailer + bike + weight of all cargo including the hitch weight + myself) was about 1050lbs +/- 40lbs.

The tongue weight, which I forgot to mention in the video, was about 120lbs on the ball. The Mazda 3 manual recommends not exceeding 165lbs tongue weight on the ball; even through a Class-I hitch is rated for 200lbs tongue weight, always go with the lower number as the limit. I measured my tongue weight by putting a wooden block on a bathroom scale and putting the tip of the trailer ball receiver on the block (with the bike loaded). Ideally you want the tongue weight to be between 10-15% of the total loaded trailer weight. In this case 400lbs bike + 400lbs trailer = 800lbs. So 10-15% of that is between 80-120 lbs. Getting a correct tongue weight is important so you have good handling, along with making sure that most of the weight is above/in-front of the trailers axle. Good luck, and ask any questions about the Mazda 3 towing setup in the comments, I'll do my best to answer.

The cost: $1000 trailer + $ 270 title/registration/notary fees + $50 spare wheel + $100 wheel chock + $33 straps + $180 hitch + $180 hitch/lights install + ball mount + $36 ball mount + $43 lights kit = ~$1892 + tax

🌟 SUPPORT MY CHANNEL! 🌟
💖 Watching another video of mine REALLY helps!

🌐 MY SOCIALS & WEBSITE 🌐

🏍️ MY RIDING GEAR 🏍️

🎥 MY MOTOVLOGGING EQUIPMENT 🎥

🛠️ MOTORCYCLE MODS & OTHER ITEMS 🛠️

🎵 MUSIC CREDITS 🎵
◇ N/A

FTC | Some of the links mentioned above are my discount offer and affiliate links. Affiliate links provide a small commission off of each purchase, at no extra cost to you, which enables me to invest back into my channel and make better content for you. If you don't want to click on affiliate links and help support my channel, feel free to Google the products instead.

[AntiParallali]

🌟Some more details I didn't mention🌟 So, can you tow with a Mazda 3? Yes. Even though the owners manual of the US version of the car says you "can't" due to Mazda not wanting to be sued, the car is more than capable of trailering up to 1322lbs (600kg) without any additional brakes on the trailer. That's more than enough to trailer my MT07 around. In this towing setup with the Mazda 3 the total weight of my cargo (trailer + bike + weight of all cargo including the hitch weight + myself) was about 1050lbs +/- 40lbs.

The tongue weight, which I forgot to mention in the video, was about 120lbs on the ball. The Mazda 3 manual recommends not exceeding 165lbs tongue weight on the ball; even through a Class-I hitch is rated for 200lbs tongue weight, always go with the lower number as the limit. I measured my tongue weight by putting a wooden block on a bathroom scale and putting the tip of the trailer ball receiver on the block (with the bike loaded). Ideally you want the tongue weight to be between 10-15% of the total loaded trailer weight. In this case 400lbs bike + 400lbs trailer = 800lbs. So 10-15% of that is between 80-120 lbs. Getting a correct tongue weight is important so you have good handling, along with making sure that most of the weight is above/in-front of the trailers axle. Good luck, and ask any questions about the Mazda 3 towing setup in the comments, I'll do my best to answer.

The cost: $1000 trailer + $ 270 title/registration/notary fees + $50 spare wheel + $100 wheel chock + $33 straps + $180 hitch + $180 hitch/lights install + $36 ball mount + $43 lights kit = $1892 + tax

I did a fuel efficiency estimate and it came out to about ~27mpg.

🌟 THE TOWING SETUP 🌟

[ColinFisher]

You missed one important step - flick the straps and say 'That's not going anywhere!'

[alanbrown]

Towing a Mazda with Spicey Boi would be way cooler.

[pancakesupremacy]

Nothing but respect for this project and to just do it.

[davidehrmann]

My sister towed a loaded U-Haul trailer from York PA to California with her 5 speed manual ford focus! I had no doubts the "little Mazda" would be just fine with this trip.

[j.markkrzystofiak]

Big fan of towing with whatever one has to drive already. Nice research you did too.
You can twist the safety chains to safely make them shorter. Plenty of YouTube content that covers that.

[wmscottd]

Lol.. if almost say 80% of the pickup trucks rarely do pickup truck things... that lil Mazda is a beast !!

[briankearney]

Had to do this with a Chevrolet Cruze and a U-Haul trailer about 6 years ago, had my Yamaha 535, a bed and all my house stuff from Wyoming to Washington

[OnRide]

Excellent set up 100% legit!! Trailer was level, bike was perfectly strap, weight distribution was perfect, towing maximum weight under!! Great job 👏

[anti-boomer]

You're basically a pro truck driver now. Dr. Trucker Lali. Awesome.

[goatm]

Glad you gave it a shot. I've towed things I don't know how many times with my cars when I don't feel like grabbing the truck or don't need it. It's especially nice on longer trips to get 25 or 30mpg instead of 15. I've towed with all of these and had no issues ever, Pontiac Firebird Formula, Ford Contour, Buick Regal, Chevy Cruze. Just took the Cruze 6hrs to CT to pick up a Ducati Multistrada 1260s. 1.4l turbo and 6 speed manual Cruze tote out there and back no problems. 70-80mph the whole way

[Foodgeek]

I live in Denmark and towed several motorcycles on trailers on my Suzuki Swift. It works just fine :) I even bought the car with the hitch installed because I like to drive stuff around 🤣

[nealeburgess]

What a nice looking trailer. I would be totally confident in the Mazda towing a little trailer like that. There is very little wind resistance, so once you have got up to cruising speed it doesn't take much effort for the car to pull it. It would have to work a bit hard for an uphill start, but I don't expect you will do that too often. I have towed caravans (recreational trailer for camping) many thousands of miles with small low powered cars. I would love that trailer. When I take my track bike to a race circuit I have to hire a trailer. Best wishes from Spain.

[MrSirjamalot]

So glad you had a safe journey. Have a good time in Florida.

[jkk]

Love this, I love my Mazda 3 hatchback as well and have been considering a hitch and trailer setup for a move. Thank you so much for this video.. it was fully informative and I really appreciate it!

[KeViNMCMXXCIX]

Haha YES! Was anticipating this one. For sure the "little" Mazda that could! 💯I managed to find myself a 2006 Mazda 3 as a replacement for my previous car after looking around for quite some time. Absolutely love it so far! Drives smooth, so fun too!
I do have the 1.6 liter engine which is real common in Europe as you may know and I am allowed to tow with too. Just less mass compared to yours or any other 2 liter engine variant.
On top of my head 550 kg's. And with a more solid construction mentioned on the specs it says braked 900 kg's.

Will definitely look into upgrading over a few years or so the the model you have as well. 😄

[alanbrown]

Get hitchlock, to secure the trailer and a spare wheel.

You can bolt it underneath either the drawbar or underneath the trailer bed.

It shouldn't have securing chain around hitch, best to have a separate pigtail

[Angel]

When I was in high school (back in the stone age) my father used to tow his small sailboat with an ancient Dodge Colt with no issues. Most small cars can manage light towing duties without any problems. I've even moved myself seven hours away using my small light pickup towing a U-Haul 5X8 covered trailer and a full truck bed. Not everyone needs a full size pickup or SUV for towing.

[realBkay]

glad you have had a safe trip to Florida and I hope you have a safe one back to PA.

[KCadbyRacing]

WELCOME to Florida Lali! 😎
It's been obvious how much more relaxed you've been since becoming PHD Lali 😊