Towing with the Rx-8
 

Hello,

I am making a move from New York out to Arizona, so I'll be going across the country. I plan on packing up my rx8 to the brim. I was throwing around the idea of getting a 5' x 8' trailer (rated up to 1100 lbs) so I could still move some of my larger things - 33 gallon air compressor, 10 drawer tool box, 4 extra wheels/tires, etc etc. The trailer contents themself wouldn't exceed its weight limit, or come close. Now the worry comes in the form of this car being a sports car, low torque, length of travel, you name it.

Uhaul offers a tow hitch for the vehicle, that I could install for it. How realistic is this, do you think? My first thought was no way it was possible, but wanted any input from you guys, maybe some advice that people that have towed in the past?

So, what do you think? Do my larger things stay in NY or should they make the trip with me?

Thanks for reading,
Michael

shipping company

+1! Never seen anybody towing with an rx8! It sounds weird and funny. Take some pictures if you decide to do it:sadwavey:

I actually was thining of doing something like that but i wawsnt sure as to how much it owuld cost and what kind of bumper modifications need to be done to make one of those hitches fit on the rx8

dont do it... its a long drive. god forbid something happens, it will be a pain in the ass. and from 05rx8mazda's comment, sounds to me like you have to mod something to get the hitch on so... up to you. =/

dude rent a uhaul truck with a car trailer and put ur 8 on a trailer and pack ur stuff in the uhaul that way u dont put miles on ur car and it doesn't get hit by all the crap on the freeway I drove my car from miami to saint louis at the end of the summer and it was just destroyed by the time i got there (by destroyed I mean small paint chips & bugs everywhere) granted I should have taped it up but was pressed for time, and I will for the return trip but If renting a uhaul is feasible for you I would HIGHLY recommend it.

Attached is the installation instructions for the only hitch I know exists for the 8. I wouldn't feel safe driving across country with this pulling over 1,100 lbs. A bike or tries for a track day yes, not what you want to do.

Also the towing rates for the RX-8 according to a British brochure are

UN-braked Trailer: 695 KG
Braked trailer: 1200KG

Rent a nice, big U-Haul or Penske truck and tow your 8 on a trailer or 2-wheel tow-cart.

-1.3L

I wouldn't do it...

Thanks guys. I had my doubts too. It is a really long trip and I'm not interested in having a tow hitch mod, fooling with wires for the trailer, and not even knowing if I'll make it there/damage that could done towing that much in the long run.

If I was to go the Uhaul and tow the rx8 route, I'd be looking at 2 grand after its all said and done. It's too much money. I can transport my tools, the box is the problem, and all the other stuff I guess I could do without too. I'll probably just buy another tool box or something when I get there.

PS do they sell tape to tape up the hood and bumper for long road trips? Any recommendations? So I don't have to wash off 1 million bugs when I make it there.

you can use blue painters tape thats what I usually do, never had a problem with it hurting my paint done it with a few cars havent tried it on the 8 yet

Like this.

https://www.rx8club.com/forum/attach...1&d=1248491382

lol exactly

^+1

wow - that is a lot of tape...

nope

Scary thought
Don't do it......

pay the 400 or 500 to ship your car there... and rent a uhaul, don't get yourself into something potentially dangerous and much more expensive.

The RX-8 manual says something specific about NOT towing a trailer.

This is another option for road protection:

http://www.soloperformance.com/Road-...lm_p_1519.html

Thats exactly the product I was thinking of but couldn't remember the name.

Thanks

i have a picture of rotaryresurrection towing an rx7 with his rx7, but i cant find it at the moment. of course, his rx7 is turbocharged with 466whp.

i think you should be able to tow up to 600lbs safely. which is what 3 passengers and some luggage would weigh. the rx8 is definitely used to lugging around that kind of extra weight, on top of the driver. so i think you're fine there.

the only real issue i see, is how are you going to attach the little trailer? the only tow things i've seen have been custom installs.

There was a hitch kit (USA) that was made for the car. If I remember correctly, it didn't bolt to the frame. It bolted to the trunk sheet metal and people have problems with the bolts wearing the holes larger. Above expo1 hinted at a proper hitch that was sold in the UK. If you can get a hold of that one, it should work properly.

any pictures of what this hitch looks like from the rear?

Thanks,