Installing a Hitch on the Miata

Installation Instructions for the Miata Hitch

OK - so for some reason you find it necessary to haul a horse trailer behind your Miata and you need a trailer hitch. (Just kidding about it being a horse trailer).

Anyway . . . lets just say you have a small, light trailer that you are going to be using to bring groceries home from COSTCO or trash to the dump.

Obviously you'll need some way to attached it to the Miata and our small trailer hitch is just the ticket.

Start Here

Jack up the rear of the Miata. Be sure to support the car with good solid jack stands, and please BE VERY CAREFUL!!!!

	M1 Remove the rear tie-down hooks and save the attaching fasteners. Install the hitch in place of the tie-downs using the OEM tie-down fasteners.
	M2 - The hitch will mount between the tie down loops welded under the rear of the car. Remove the bolts, washers and backup plates attached to the hitch, pay attention these parts go on the car just as they are assembled for shipment.

Push the hitch up until the mounting brackets are approximately even with the bottom of the structure to which the tie down loops are welded. Check clearance under the bumper and using the hitch as a template mark the chassis for the 8 holes to be drilled.

Take the hitch back down and drill 3/8" holes at the previously marked spots.

You may find it helpful to remove the heat shield protecting the muffler. Put the hitch back in position and push a bolt through on either side to hold it in place.

Slide the backup plates into place. The outer plates go inside the square "hole" just inside the tie down loops. Align the plates and start all bolts before tightening any.

Tighten the bolts to 35-40 ft lbs (the bolts will seem hard to tighten because of the self locking nuts used on the backup plates).

Now you are ready to attach your trailer and head to COSTCO for your monthly shopping trip.

CAUTION: The Miata was NOT designed or intended to be use to haul anything (see owners manual). Please be kind to your Miata and don't try to haul anything that is very heavy. Two of the most common things that we have seen being towed behind a Miata are small camping trailers (actually designed for motorcycles) and trailers hauling tires to a track.

Also keep in mind that hauling any load will put additional stress on your engine and transmission and as a result, both will need service more frequently then the recommended intervals.