Campers around 845 lbs

I just bought a used Mazda5 (overall great passenger vehicle by the way) and got a little confused when reading specs and reviews and whatnot.

I remembered explicitly searching for info on its towing capacity. In the UK & Europe the 1.8L and 2.0L engines are rated to haul up to 1300lbs trailers without brakes. With brakes both versions are rated to haul 3000lbs.

But, here in Canada, the car (even with our larger 2.3L engine) is NOT rated for towing of any sort. It is given no towing capacity in North America.

Is it illegal for me to tow with it? No, there's a grey area according to MTO when I called just now. If nothing "bad" happens, I'm free and clear. If there's an accident or a perceived danger to others, I'm in deep doo-doo.

I'm an officer with the MTO. If you can show me the legislation I'll believe you. ;)

Who from the MTO did you talk to? A registration clerk at a privately owned office, which has nothing to do with MTO, other than taking your money for registrations and val tags? Just sayin.... most of them haven't a clue about laws.

The ONLY thing I can up up with where you may exceed, is weight on tires, and this is unlikely.

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Originally Posted by last5oh_302

I'm an officer with the MTO. If you can show me the legislation I'll believe you. ;)

Who from the MTO did you talk to? A registration clerk at a privately owned office, which has nothing to do with MTO, other than taking your money for registrations and val tags? Just sayin.... most of them haven't a clue about laws.

The ONLY thing I can up up with where you may exceed, is weight on tires, and this is unlikely.

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You mistake me. I didn't say there definitely was a law, only that - considering how we have laws for everything - i was pretty sure there'd be a blanket law that allowed MTO/OPP to lay charges in ambiguous towing situations.

And I just called the General Inquiry 1-800-268-4686 line with my question, as my car is currently in the shop for safety and my mechanic is looking at hitch kit options for me. lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oddmott

You mistake me. I didn't say there definitely was a law, only that - considering how we have laws for everything - i was pretty sure there'd be a blanket law that allowed MTO/OPP to lay charges in ambiguous towing situations.

And I just called the General Inquiry 1-800-268-4686 line with my question, as my car is currently in the shop for safety and my mechanic is looking at hitch kit options for me. lol

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My only advice to you is that if you ever do get charged for something like that, take it to court!

I'm amazed at some of the things I see towed behind small 4 cylinder cars, but there's no law against it. I wouldn't do it to my car however.

Edit: and any towed vehicle in Ontario that exceeds 1360 KG'S must have operating brakes of it's own.

I'm with you on towing with 4 cyls. I'd never put any considerable loads behind one, but a small cargo trailer and a single motorbike hauler are all i've got in mind.

Hey FishingMonkey... just track down one of these bad boys!


http://youtu.be/PGeUSjRMlQ4

That is soooo cool! :D

I thought you were talking about a camper who weighs 845 pounds. :) He/she won't fit in any trailer.

I didn't think you could tow anything with a Ford Focus.

13 ft boler is what you need just type in BOLER trailers and you will see a few different types.