Mazda 5 Towing Capacity: Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?

Mazda 5 is a minivan that is known as a fun-to-drive car. But does it have a towing capacity to tow large-sized loaded trailers? Does it have the capability of competing with other cars in the same category? Let’s find out the answers to these questions.

Mazda 5 is not officially designed for towing purposes, as mentioned. Still, it provides a decent towing capacity. All new and old generations of this car have a towing capacity of 2,500 pounds. These numbers are obtained from market research.

In this article, we’ll look at the change in the towing capacity of this car over the years. We’ll then identify the weights of various trailers to compare them against the towing capacity of this car. Lastly, we’ll compare it against its competition and analyze its performance.

Also read: Mazda 5 Transmissions: Overview, Problems, Fluids

Maximum Towing Capacity By Year

The following table highlights the towing capacities of various generations of this car. Mazda has not recommended its users operate their cars for regular towing purposes. However, owners have reported numerous times that towing with the Mazda 5 was more than doable, as stated in one of the quotes from a UK owner:

I am assuming you are from across the “pond”, but in UK I tow with a 5 diesel and it is an awesome towcar. It got a rating of 4/5 in the UK Tow Car Of The Year awards. The lengthy wheelbase and firmish suspension give it a really planted feel. The van I tow is 1100Kg (2,425 lbs) and four people on board and performance is “brisk” so I would think your GT will be more than adequate. Towing limit on the diesel is around 1400 Kg (3,086 lbs).

Source

There hasn’t been a drastic change in this car’s engine and design variants; therefore, we can assume a consistent towing capacity over these years.

Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?

Not all trailers have the same weight and size. Therefore, we have done extensive research to identify the weighing limits of different types of trailers. We have then matched these weight limits against the towing capacity Mazda 5.

The Mazda 5 can tow small and medium-sized trailers with a maximum weight limit of 2,500 pounds. These include: canoe/kayak, jet ski, teardrop, and small open utility trailers. It can also tow several large-sized trailers only if they are not loaded with maximum payload capacity.

• Kayak: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow a kayak trailer. On average, an empty kayak trailer will weigh 200 pounds. A loaded kayak trailer will weigh an average of 400 pounds with a maximum of 800 pounds which is well within the range of the Mazda 5.

• Jet Ski Trailer: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow a jet ski trailer. On average, an empty jet ski trailer will weigh 300 pounds. A loaded jet ski trailer will weigh an average of 1,800 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds which is within the range of the Mazda 5.

• Motorcycle Trailer: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow a motorcycle trailer. On average, an empty motorcycle trailer will weigh 500 pounds. A loaded motorcycle trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds with a maximum of 3,500, some of them may be outside the range of the Mazda 5.

• Teardrop Trailer: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow a teardrop trailer. On average, an empty teardrop trailer will weigh 1,700 pounds. A loaded teardrop trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds which is within the range of the  Mazda 5. Some teardrop trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is outside of the limits of the Mazda 5.

• Small Open Utility Trailer: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow a small open utility trailer. On average, an empty small open utility trailer will weigh 700 pounds. A loaded small open utility trailer will weigh an average of 2,500 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds, some of them may be outside the range of the Mazda 5.

• A-Frame Camper: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty a-frame camper. On average, an empty a-frame camper weighs 1,700 pounds. A loaded a-frame camper will weigh an average of 2,900 pounds with a maximum of 3,600 pounds, outside of the range of the Mazda 5.

• Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty small enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty small enclosed utility trailer weighs 1,000 pounds. A loaded small enclosed utility trailer will weigh an average of 3,200 pounds with a maximum of 7,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Mazda 5.

• Fishing Boat Trailer: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty fishing boat trailer. On average, an empty fishing boat trailer weighs 600 pounds. A loaded fishing boat trailer will weigh an average of 3,300 pounds with a maximum of 6,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Mazda 5.

• Pop-Up Camper: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty pop-up camper. On average, an empty pop-up camper weighs 2,300 pounds. A loaded pop-up camper will weigh an average of 3,400 pounds with a maximum of 4,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Mazda 5.

• Small Travel Trailer: No Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty small travel trailer. On average, an empty small travel trailer weighs 2,800 pounds. A loaded small travel trailer will weigh an average of 3,600 pounds with a maximum of 4,500 pounds, outside of the range of the  Mazda 5.

• Tow Dolly: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty tow dolly. On average, an empty tow dolly weighs 600 pounds. A loaded tow dolly will weigh an average of 4,000 pounds with a maximum of 5,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Mazda 5.

• Large Enclosed Utility Trailer: No Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty large enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty large enclosed utility trailer weighs 2,700 pounds. A loaded large enclosed utility trailer weighs an average of 7,100 pounds with a maximum of 10,000 pounds, outside of the range of the  Mazda 5.

• Small Horse Trailer: No Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty small horse trailer. On average, an empty small horse trailer weighs 2,900 pounds. A loaded small horse trailer weighs an average of 7,200 pounds with a maximum of 8,000 pounds, outside of the range of the  Mazda 5.

• Car Trailer: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty car trailer. On average, an empty car trailer weighs 1,900 pounds. A loaded car trailer weighs an average of 9,000 pounds with a maximum of 15,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Mazda 5.

• Large Flatbed Trailer: No Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty large flatbed trailer. On average, an empty large flatbed trailer weighs 3,000 pounds. A loaded large flatbed trailer weighs an average of 10,400 pounds with a maximum of 26,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Mazda 5.

• Large Boat Trailer: All Mazda 5 models will be able to tow an empty large boat trailer. On average, an empty large boat trailer weighs 2,200 pounds. A loaded large boat trailer weighs an average of 13,600 pounds with a maximum of 34,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Mazda 5.

Can You Install A Hitch On A Mazda 5?

From the factory, Mazda 5s do not come with a trailer hitch. However, you can install an aftermarket class 1 hitch on your Mazda 5. Class 1 hitches are rated for a maximum towing weight of 2,000 pounds and a maximum tongue weight of 200 pounds.

Therefore, they can carry a little less than what the Mazda 5 could theoretically be capable of. Expect to pay around $150 – $200 for a class 1 hitch.

How Well Can It Tow Compared to its Competitors?

2,500 pounds is a decent number when it comes to the towing capacities of the mini SUVs. Not only Mazda, but other manufacturers also do not recommend their cars for towing adventures. Rather they suggest that you choose this option only in the case of a sudden emergency.

Nonetheless, the cars in this category provide a wide range of tow ratings starting from just 1,500 pounds and going all the way to 3,500 pounds. The following tables explain that the Mazda 5 has one of the highest towing capacities of 2,500 pounds, while the top spot is reserved for the 2017 Ford Escape. All other cars lag in this competition.

Stefan K.

Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.

I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.

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