That's how I started. I had a Blazer, and had just left a disastrous relationship by basically running out the door with the clothes I had on. Left everything behind. Took the passenger seat out, folded down the rear seats, and put in a plywood "floor." Got a sleeping bag (and some more clothes, and headed on down the road.
As much as you are attached to that low mileage, reliable vehicle You will be a lot better off with something more substantial that allows more storage and sleeping space. Also a vehicle with better ground clearance. A mid sized SUV would not be too much of a financial blow on your savings after reinvesting the proceeds from the sale of your current vehicles but it will make a significant difference in your comfort and safety and it will lower the risk of damaging your vehicle on those dirt roads in the camp ground areas. When your current vehicle is overloaded with camping gear and personal articles you will have even less ground clearance.
I found that driver advisor website study result interesting. They changed the estimated towing capacity rating for the civic to much higher when it had trailer brakes. But if you look at the next Honda, the Element, which is rated for towing they did not include factoring in the addition of trailer brakes for adjusting the towing capacity. They just say it cannot pull a small travel trailer. Of course that is incorrect as there are small travel trailers within the Element’s towing capacity. Two of them are vintage fiberglass trailers from the late 1960s that have popup roof areas. They were designed to be pulled by a VW Bug of that era. I have on of those two and it’s dry weight out of the factory was just under 900lbs. But I did put a new frame under mine with a new axle that has trailer brakes. Those statistics for the Honda Civic put my travel trailer it into the tow rating range for a Civic.On looking a little deaper..........
A receiver hitch may cost $150 to $200 with install extra. Wiring to trailer I'm not sure. U-Haul does sell and install this equipment.
Their website states the weight of these 4 X 8 trailers as 850 lbs. With a folding Cot inside it you could sleep in it. storing goods under the Cot in boxes. Just depends on how much stuff you have to stow in the trailer.
U-Haul website 4 X 8 Trailer
Although Honda states that it doesn't recommend towing with the Civic in the owners manual.....it may be more with concern to the vehicle's warranty. With 90K miles it would likely be past warranty now. And if you are wanting to only go one way...south to relocate....you may not tax the Honda that much.
The "Driver Adviser" website reviews the Honda Civics towing capability.
Driver Adviser Towing with the Honda Civic
