Hi there,

I have a 1997 Mazda B4000 4X4 with a manual transmission. I'm curious what loads people have towed with this type of truck. I'm in the market for a travel trailer, and am curious as to what weight I should limit myself to. I realize what the owner's manual says, but would like to hear some 'real-life' experiences. On a related note, I notice a large difference between the manual and automatic transmission towing capabilities. Is this due to the clutch or transmission in the manual. Also wondering if anyone has weighed their similarily equipped truck (i.e. how much of the GCVW is eaten up by the truck?).

Thanks for any info,

Matt

 

LOL, not much for a TT. There will be a lot of frontal area.

I have a 96 XC 4x4 5 speed and 3.73s and pull a 17' boat. It will barely make it to 70 on flat ground in 5th. I think the boat is probably in the 2500-3000lb range. Any significant hill and its 3rd and maybe 45 mph.

 

99 4x2 4.0L 5spd auto 4.11 factory tow package. I tow a 175 Bass Tacker accross the Blue Ridge Mountains without any problems, but my rig would probably be 1/2 the weight of your TT. If your towing on flat terrain you might be ok, but allow plenty of room to stop, cause IMHO these year trucks need BIGGER BRAKES, or maybe opt for trailer brakes on your TT. As a side note, I opted for a cushioned ball mount, by convert-a-ball. It really rounds off the jerks & jars to your dive train as you tow. The hitch pin fits through a metal sleve thats free to move slightly, fore & aft inside the mounts square tubing thats slotted to clear the hitch pin, and is cushioned on either end by urathane plugs, to take up some of the fore & aft road shock. i've had mine for over 5 years now & it's holding up fine. Check it out, to see if it's for you, at www.convertaball.com Mine was about $42 US in 99. There is anoticeable difference in smoothness on the tow vehicle with this set up.