Can Minivan pull Miata> Can Miata take Trailer hitch? (rental, vehicle)

[WestGuest]

I suddenly have about 15 boxes to move 800 miles- one way.

I own a Miata - I hear a trailer hitch costs $400 + Uhaul but the hitch would be useful later. Where is the best place to get a hitch attached?


The boxes do not take enough room to justify a big Penske truck- maybe a minivan if it could take the Miata on a hitch.

I will have my wife with me -- suppose we can each drive a vehicle. One rental .

[wpme]

How much does each box weigh? Box dimensions? Why not UPS/Fedex? Yes you can put a tow bar on a Miata, but iirc you take the front bumper cover off.

[vision33r]

Pretty silly to risk your transmission instead of renting a truck.

[thecoalman]

I would not be pulling anything that large with a mini van especially if it's packed with stuff. Even if the towing capacity is that high you're going to be at it's upper limits. That thing is going to be pushing you around and braking capacity becomes a huge issue especially if you are going to be traveling through hilly areas. When you are towing such a heavy load relative to the vehicle you are usually going to have brakes on the trailer. Furthermore do you have experience pulling such a large load relative to the tow vehicle?

800 miles isn't much, drive both vehicles or rent full sized van.

[Electrician4you]

Is the minivan a Astro van? That's at least on a true frame chassis. If it's a unibody FWD mom minivan I doubt you'll get a the right hitch installed. And I don't think U haul will install a hitch that is rated for the weight you need and rent you a trailer either.
Pack the minivan and drive both cars. It's 800 miles. 10-12 hr drive

[louie0406]

A Miata? Just strap it to the roof of your van.

[MckinneyOwnr]

The answer is yes, and yes. A minivan can easily pull a Miata behind it, as an example, a Chrysler T&C is rated for 3600 lbs, just depends on the van.

A Miata can have a Class I hitch installed, which is 2000 lbs, so a small trailer is ok.

[ukrkoz]

Rent a van, pack van, rent a hitch - they do have hitches that attach to bumper, easy on/off, pull MIata. You saw those hitches, motor homes usually use them to tow their rides behind. All van will be pulling is vehicle rolling resistance and inertia as weight of the car and what's in it will be 4 point distributed on Miata wheels. Braking will have to be adjusted for longer braking distance by van driver, that's it.

[ukrkoz]

Sorry for bad term. It's called Tow Bar and rental van will have hitch installed.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=tow+bar&tbm=shop

[take57]

Sounds like a great way to mess up a Miata.
Let's see... 800 mile trip? In the fall? Driving a Miata? Sign me up... heck I might even pay you for the privilege.