Smallest Towing car

[Airrogant]

A Chrysler 300 can pull a modern-day 16' AS trailer assuming that both vehicles are in excellent operating condition. However, it shouldn't ever be used for that purpose.

A 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup can pull a modern-day 31' AS trailer assuming that both vehicles are in excellent operating condition. You'll have to give me more information regarding trailer weight, tow vehicle weight, payload, tongue weight, how many people are going to be in the truck, how much they weigh, how much luggage and other cargo they are carrying, etc. for me to say with certainty that driving this combo is either a good or a bad idea.

[rodsterinfl]

What does Chrysler say it will pull? AND what load can it bear? (tongue weight) The answers to these questions will provide your conclusion if you have settled on that vehicle.

The car is supposed to be designed to do what they say it will do. This is not only weights but cooling, gearing, etc.

Airrogant poses some good questions regarding the specs. I am beginning to believe that people don't like the specs but they really do matter.

[cory_can]

Unsubscribe.

[Twinke58]

Ok getting back to the topic can a small car tow a trailer? Yes it can if the trailer is made for a small car. I had a 1972 VW bug that pulled a 300lbs pop up Apple bee trailer. Can that same car pull an airstream? No but what you do is buy the trailer 1st and get a tv that will fit the trailer right. As for a jeep to pull it yes I got one for mine but it's the an old woody jeep to pull my a/s with. And if you are wondering I did get my trailer 1st and the tv last. I was looking for what my needs are and for safety too. My trailer is a 58 Overlander 26' that my 90 jeep grand wagoneer will pull it with. I also made sure a tranny cooler was on it and all the stuff for good towing with. The lesson here is safety is the key and what is your needs for the trailer you bought 1st then the tv.



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[Andrew T]

Hi Guys

If a larger heavier tow vehicle is always better why stop at a F350.

You can not feel the trailer even a little on this tow vehicle.

Stopping distance is loooonnnng though. Evasive handling is awful but you sure can't feel the trailer.

Andrew T.

[Andrew T]

Unit body vehicles are considerably more expensive to design engineer and build than body on frame vehicles.

Unit body vehicles are much stronger than equivalent weight and size body on frame vehicles. On full size cars of old with body on frame construction we used to weld gussets between the frame and body to keep the frame from squishing the body mounts and tearing the trim around the bumper. The strength never came from the frame.

Andrew T

[dkottum]

Andrew, thanks for the info. We can learn a lot from your many years of setting up travel trailers, hitches, and tow vehicles of all kinds.

[dkottum]

Airrogant, Andrew T. could help you as well with your Bambi's cabinet falling off the wall since you began using the 3/4 ton Suburban to tow it. Here's a few tips from him that may apply in post #35.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...-124688-3.html

[J. Morgan]

In modern culture, experience and "what works" is paid little regard,,, unfortunately.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by Andrew T

Hi Guys

If a larger heavier tow vehicle is always better why stop at a F350.

You can not feel the trailer even a little on this tow vehicle.

Stopping distance is loooonnnng though. Evasive handling is awful but you sure can't feel the trailer.

Andrew T.

Thnxs for the pic Andy. For me the big rig would be a little boring to drive but that Flex/34' in the back ground would be a nice ride.

[BoldAdventure]

This 300 really has me thinking. I have decided it would be wise to sell our Dodge Ram. We really haven't wanted to part with our Adventure Mobile. So many memories with our adventure rig. I've decided based on the recommendations here that we should be able to tow just fine with my lifted Trailblazer once I re-enforce the hitch and get a propride. Thinking of driving up to Can-am or giving them a call this week.

Here is a picture of me airing up:

[Andrew T]

This is how the day started out in Jersey City.
I had been meaning to replace the 10 year old air bags in the Jag but never got around to it. So the Jag is sitting in storage in Scranton PA where the left front blew. We towed the trailer home on my friends 396 pusher. I think we were a little over length but no one seemed to care.

I'll take a car trailer down and pick up the Jag next week, the air bags are waiting in my office.

[J. Morgan]

Andrew, you are aware that those three combinations in the picture will never work right? Many experts on here have plainly said so.

[Andrew T]

That is one bad looking Trailblazer! We have set up lots of Trailblazers over the years, of coarse we usually go the other way with lower profile tires better shocks etc.

The big tires probably are using up most of your reserve power so I am thinking it would be pretty lazy towing. However if you want to be able to tow the Airstream to local events around Florida it would be doable at 55 MPH. Do you have 4:10 gears and the in line 6, manual or automatic. Other option is to have two sets of wheels and tires, not sure if those will go through the trailer door.

Andrew T

[BoldAdventure]

4:56 gears (upgraded) and I do actually have regular tires that are smaller and more road worthy. My rear springs and shocks are already upgraded for increased payload. Along with a larger rear axle.

I've been thinking of going back to Phase 1 with her so that she can be a little more road worthy. Our original goals where to travel the country pulling a small offroad trailer. But then we had kids and caught the Airstream bug.

I call the above with 35inch tires phase 2. But it's proved less road worthy but more offroad worthy.

But we managed to travel all over the US on tires only 30.50inch tires (1 inch over stock 29's) and only 2 inches of lift, including all over Caynonlands, Moab and the back country of the Grand Canyon with my Phase 1 trim:



I think going back to the smaller tires and reduced ride height would be better for towing.

But then again. It'd probably just be better to buy a storage unit in Moab and drive the TB when we want. And keep the truck to travel.

But believe me, I have thought a lot about it.

Overlanding is just one of those things where the balance between goals and wants becomes difficult. The more offroad worthy you want, the less road capable/comfortable it becomes.

I feel we lean more towards the road anyhow. But the thing I always loved about the TB is to this day it still has one of the best in class turning radiuses for a SUV at 18 ft!!!






Well.... now I've really hijacked this thread.

[Easylife]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Also not wanting a big tow vehicle, we considered all sizes, price, and maintenance costs of tow vehicles and found this to be the best overall match to our travel, Airstream, and budget (new truck, trailer and modifications, ProPride hitch under $100k). It's paid for up front.

It's taken us coast to coast and border to border three times, 20 months on the road, with no problems.

Hello,
What is the towing vehicle in the picture?

Thanks!

[J. Morgan]

Is a single axle 26' trailer really safe?

That is a lot of weight on two little stock 15" tires and wheels.

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by Easylife

Hello,
What is the towing vehicle in the picture?

Thanks!

The tow vehicle in Doug's post is a RAM 1500 Single cab with a HEMI 5.7L V8.

[Lance M]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

Is a single axle 26' trailer really safe?

That is a lot of weight on two little stock 15" tires and wheels.

Huh?

[J. Morgan]

Originally Posted by Top

Huh?

Post 164