Understanding the Towing Safety Information Table in Curt Hitch Instructions for a 2017 Mazda Miata

Updated 05/05/2017 | Published 05/04/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"

(84)

$418.28

Curt Cam Buckle Stabilizing Strap for Hitch-Mounted Accessories - 61" x 1" - Qty 1

(667)

$15.80

Question:

Hi there, I have not yet purchased my Miata. I was perusing your site as I have used etrailer before. Looking over your Towing Safety Information table, the section How much can you safely tow. The red scale at the top the section, 1000, 2000, 3000, etc is annotated on the left as Tongue Weight. That is one hell of a tongue weight! Especially at the high end of 12,000 lbs. Based on the comment under Tongue Weight I am thinking this should really be Trailer Weight.

asked by: Mike G

Expert Reply:

It took me a couple of minutes but I finally found that table. That is actually in the instructions for the hitch # C11435 for the 2017 Mazda Miata. The table is laid out kind of weird. It does make it look like the top row of numbers is tongue weight. But that is the gross trailer weight and the tongue weight is usually 10 to 15 percent of that. So usually a Class I hitch is rated up to 2,000 pounds gross trailer weight and 200 pounds tongue weight.

But with that said you also have to consider what the vehicle is rated for. Whichever is less, the hitch or the vehicle, is the rating you will need to go by. I checked the owner's manual for the vehicle and on page 3-57 it simply states "Your Mazda is not designed for towing. Never tow a trailer with your Mazda." So if you had planned on towing I would advise against it based on this statement from the manual.

If you want to use Curt trailer hitch # C11435 for an accessory and not to tow then you have to make sure the accessory is rated for use with a Class I trailer hitch. Also, with a bike rack, you are limited to 2 bikes maximum on a Class I hitch.

Curt also says you have to use stabilization strap # 18050 when using this hitch for any non-trailer load (such as a bike rack or cargo carrier) per their warranty requirements. I have linked the Class I compatible 2-bike racks and cargo carriers for you.

expert reply by: Michael H