Can my car haul a lightweight camper trailer?

[GeorgiaPeach]

Hello. I'm new here and having  trouble determining whether or not my 2018 4 cylinder Hyundai Elantra can or cannot pull a tiny lightweight camper trailer, in the 700 pound range. I've done extensive online research and visited two different RV retailers and receive conflicting advice. One RV retailer said pulling 700 pounds would mechanically destroy my car and refused to even show me any campers; another place said it would probably be okay and showed me the Amish built tab and tag campers, which I really liked. I feel like I got nowhere from those I thought would be professionally knowledgeable. My car manual states that towing is not recommended, but I see lots of cars older and smaller than mine towing around these same lightweight camper trailers I too want to tow. I wouldn't be pulling the camper very far; just locally and as minimally as possible around the Las Vegas area. My intention on living in a camper is to save most of my work income to purchase a permanent home; something I have been struggling to do while playing so much for rent on my own. So, I am turning to all of you on this forum for any of your expert advice and opinions. My car is leased and will be turned in 2 1/2 years.

 

[Trebor English]

Adding a trailer hitch to a leased vehicle could be a problem.  Look at your lease contract to see if you can find some words that a lawyer could interpret as forbidding such a modification to the vehicle.  

If it were your vehicle and you had modifications like a transmission cooler and a trailer brake controller it might be just fine.  It depends on many factors.  With a small car, trailer features like low center of gravity, brakes, etc, are important.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Sorry to say that your car is not really, 'your' car.

A leased vehicle should not be used to tow, if the manufacturer says it should not be done.

The first RV dealer actually did you a favor. The second one is just trying to make a sale.

If you disregard this, the lease company and your insurance company will not be happy if anything negative happens.

Call them BOTH, the leasing company AND your insurance company. If they both sign-off on your plan, then you have my blessing too.

In the meantime, consider a nice cabin style tent, which you can easily pack in your trunk area.

 

[RVTravel]

Agree with tx2sturgis.

 

[bob91yj]

It's not so much the "pulling" that is the problem...it's the "stopping" that is usually the problem.

Another vote in the "bad idea" column.

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

Many thanks to those who took the time to reply to my concerns. I will take all of your advice and not go through with attaching a camper trailer. Perhaps in 2 1/2 years, I'll lease a vehicle meant to tow.

 

[vanman2300]

The RV dealer who refused to sell you a trailer is one of very few that is honest. In the majority of dealerships it is say anything to get the sale. Braking is the real problem. The brakes were designed to stop that particular car based on its weight. Adding a 700 pound trailer, all the clothes, dishes, household goods, the fresh, black and gray water tanks, etc will add hundreds of more pounds the car isn't intended to tow or stop.

If you could get out of the lease I'd suggest getting a truck. The important thing is to play it safe so you don't get hurt or hurt anyone else. Oh, another option for you is to have the trailer towed for you to a campground. That would eliminate problems and many expenses with towing it yourself.

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I do appreciate your advice and will follow it. Perhaps in 2 1/2 years when my lease is up I'll revisit the idea. For now, my options seem limited to either tent camping which I'm scared to do (scared of dangerous people) or paying apartment rent which I have been doing. It's not a problem, but just doesn't give me the ability to save money. Oh well; I had an idea and looked into pursuing it, so I don't feel bad because at least I tried to make it happen. But, at age 49, I've learned to explore options but not force what cannot be. Thank you all for your responses!!

 

[tripper]

With a lease y they are right you can't do it.  

If you buy off the lease however motorcycle campers could be pulled by that car, at least I would.
One of the best is an A-liner Alite, made to tow behind a motorcycle, dry weight is 610 lbs, with a gross weight of 1000. almost any car should be able to tow one of these.

Here is one for example  A-Liner Alite

Interesting as older Elantras had a 1500 lb towing limit, then a few years newer a 750 lb towing limit, and now they are not recommended. However the Aliner is the same weight as 3 adults, so if you are traveling solo in Elantra the Aliner would be the same as 3 people riding with you, the Elantra is rated to hold 5 people total. The A liner folded down has very little wind resistance

 

[Beeps and eats]

I wouldn't recommend towing with your leased vehicle. Read your lease carfully.
If you make any changes to the vehicle you might have to purchase it upon the end of the contract. Maybe you can purchase a used tow vehicle before you purchase your trailer and that way own it free and clear.
Then you just have the trailer to pay for.
I just bought a 99 e150 for under 1000.00
That needed some work done but I'm still under 2000.00 total and it's in fine shape now. Piont being if you have time don't put your cart ahead of the horse, you may be able to get a bigger cart[emoji16]

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

 

[QinReno]

@GP, I agree with all the "don't do its" here. However, there are other things to consider.

1. where you gonna park the trailer? In one of those RV parks that are scattered all around Vegas, eg on Boulder Hwy? Check the long term rental rates. I'm just guessing but minimum $30/night with hookups. Still may be cheaper than apartment rents.

2. You just can't park the trailer any old place; there are dozens of threads here about people getting thrown out of places in the middle of the night. I think that most people who try to stealth camp in cities do so in vans and RVs, and some in cars, but a trailer would just be too obvious.

3. a good option would be, if you solve 1 and 2, and it's not gonna move all that often, then you cold probably find someone that you work with, etc, and who has a pickup truck and could move it for you.

 

[Doubleone]

Well... as far as possibilities go... and since you asked... mechanically it could probably tow 700lbs.  A four seat'r car at 150lbs per occupant would give you about 600lbs occupants plus maybe 150-200lbs luggage.  So...  Considering 650lbs plus a driver you're real close as far as total weight.  Tongue weight would be about 100-125lbs so not a big concern.  Still, I'd like to see some electric brakes on the trailer and a proportional controller.  Nevertheless, can do and should do might be two different things.  I'm with the others if this is a lease vehicle...  I wouldn't want you to get into a legal pickle...  Different game if it's your vehicle to risk.

 

[[email protected]]

Hello. I'm new here and having  trouble determining whether or not my 2018 4 cylinder Hyundai Elantra can or cannot pull a tiny lightweight camper trailer, in the 700 pound range. I've done extensive online research and visited two different RV retailers and receive conflicting advice. One RV retailer said pulling 700 pounds would mechanically destroy my car and refused to even show me any campers; another place said it would probably be okay and showed me the Amish built tab and tag campers, which I really liked. I feel like I got nowhere from those I thought would be professionally knowledgeable. My car manual states that towing is not recommended, but I see lots of cars older and smaller than mine towing around these same lightweight camper trailers I too want to tow. I wouldn't be pulling the camper very far; just locally and as minimally as possible around the Las Vegas area. My intention on living in a camper is to save most of my work income to purchase a permanent home; something I have been struggling to do while playing so much for rent on my own. So, I am turning to all of you on this forum for any of your expert advice and opinions. My car is leased and will be turned in 2 1/2 years.

Georgia, I have a 2013 Hyundai Elantra and I found that some were made in Mexico, some in Brazil, and some in Korea. The Korean models are not built to accept a tow hitch. The non Korean models can easily have a aftermarket hitch installed and European specs rate the tow capacity at 1300 pounds, the American specs are I believe 1000 pounds. Jeff

 

[OregonDeb]

Sounds like the lease issue or potential issue has been addressed.

As far as what to pull I would recommending looking at pop-up campers for motorcycles. In addition to the one already mentioned, there are several model that are essentially a tent on wheels but they are also very light.

 

[jonney38]

Sounds like the lease issue or potential issue has been addressed.

When one asked for advice here, the advice you receive is well meaning. Everyone is trying to help. What each writer would do, however, is not necessarily what you should do. Perhaps the folks who say "never tow if the owner's manual says don't tow" have options that allow them not to tow. If a person has goals, like you do, maybe getting big rewards for some small risks is worth it. I have a Oregon TrailR Do Drop that weighs 550 lbs at the factory. I tow it with no brakes and an old Ford Tarus, pretty small. I planning on using my Focus, much smaller, later even though the manual says don't do it. Driving 55-60 takes out most of the engine/transmission stress and it is easy to stop w/o trailer brakes. The lease issue might deter me, however.

 

[Sandi126]

Very good question trailer?
I am new at the form stuff, so hopefully I do it right. I have a 2009 Ford Fusion and was wondering if it would be able to tow a Casitia trailer?

 

[Dennyhayes]

A federal suit was filed against San Diego, last November, over their habitation laws. Does anyone know the status of that case?

Denny

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

Hello everybody. This is an update. I spoke with my Hyundai dealership  service advisor and sales manager and both informed me I would NOT be voiding the warranty or penalized in any way for having an aftermarket hitch installed to my 2018 Elantra. They regularly see leased vehicles that do not come with hitches have hitches installed when turned in at lease end, and it's no issue. I've got to think about this, but if I go ahead with the hitch, I will have my Hyundai dealership do the install and will be looking at towing a VERY LIGHT load very infrequently. My car is equipped with a sport transmission mode that provides higher torque.  I plan to keep MANY of my belongings in storage and at my parents' home.  I've got a place to park my vehicle on a more permanent basis and when I need to travel longer distances, I will keep my tiny cargo trailer in my storage unit. I'm considering trying this out (still in the thinking about it phase) and if it doesn't work I will sell the cargo trailer and go back to the old way of doing things. I'm currently researching finding the absolute lightest weight/micro/mini product out there.

 

[highdesertranger]

I find it suspicious that the dealership told you this. I have worked at dealerships and when I had my shop did quite a bit of work for many more. any vehicle that came in on trade we would strip all non factory towing items, as well as aftermarket bumpers, alarms and anything that looked liked the vehicle might have been abused. so any of those items cost the dealership money to have removed. the dealerships knew this and would give less money on the trade ins.

at one time I had dozens of hitches, bumpers. brake controllers, headache racks, tool boxes and alarms. the only thing I wouldn't resale was the alarms, we would strip the good parts off of those. highdesertranger

 

[nemoskull]

ill throw in my .02 cents.
i tow a 800 pound trailer with a 1.5l yaris. manual. i have no problem towing, and some stopping. i installed brakes on the trailer, and it tows like its not there. tho i get 19mpg. if your dead set on this, get a transmission cooler, or at the very least a transmission temp gauge. that will be you biggest problem. and get brakes for the trailer.