How much trailer can a car pull

[heavner]

Hi, This is my first post here. I'm thinking of jumping into the RV lifestyle in the spring. I have a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis. It has a towing capacity of 2000 pounds, so I'm trying to decide what is the best size trailer for me. I plan to put very light weight furniture in it. I found a 6x12 I like that has an empty weight of 980, would that be too much for my car? I'm a middle aged women and I know nothing about any of this, so I'm eager to hear any advise.
Thanks

 

[Ballenxj]

Hi, This is my first post here. I'm thinking of jumping into the RV lifestyle in the spring. I have a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis. It has a towing capacity of 2000 pounds, so I'm trying to decide what is the best size trailer for me. I plan to put very light weight furniture in it. I found a 6x12 I like that has an empty weight of 980, would that be too much for my car? I'm a middle aged women and I know nothing about any of this, so I'm eager to hear any advise.
Thanks

I think you mostly answered your own question, 2000 pounds? The car will obviously tow it, but I'd be inclined to try and trade the car for an SUV, truck, or even van with a V8. Half ton would work, three quarter ton a bit better in my opinion.
Like I said, your car will do it, but you will probably need to limit the cargo trailer to 6x10, and be mindful of your weight.
You can also go to UHAUL and ask. They will tell you what size trailer your car is capable of towing for free.
If you stick with the car, you will need to install a good hitch, and should get a brake controller installed too.

 

[sephson]

A quick search of my local area yielded a few possibilities. You should be able to find similar results wherever you're located.

Something like this at 900 lbs. would be within your tow rating, but it's a bit pricey at just under $18,000. Also, it's a camping trailer rather than a full travel trailer.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/rvd/d/meerkat-teardrop-travel/6205984168.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/rvd/d/meerkat-teardrop-travel/6205984168.html



Something like this used Hunter Jr. would be a less expensive alternative to the Meerkat.

https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/rvs/d/vintage-hunter-camp-trailer/6242368024.html
Unfortunately, I can't link to this one.


An a frame style pop-up trailer might also work. I believe you can get them as light as 1,500 lbs. The biggest down side would be that they require some setup time in order to use them.

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/rvd/d/aliner-scout/6206002794.html



A small Scamp trailer weighs between 1,200 and 1,500 lbs.

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/rvs/d/1992-scamp-12-ft-travel/6244273722.html

 

[bullfrog]

Seems to be a common thread. Finding light small campers that are inexpensive (less than the vehicle needed to tow them say maybe $5,000) are difficult if not impossible to find. Building your own , settling for some thing with canvas or buying an older van or pickup/camper seem to be the alternatives which won't always work for people with mobility issues. So anybody got any ideas? I've built my own but realize not everyone feels they have the time and skills. Hope someone can post something simple that works in these situations.

 

[jonsun]

you can increase your tow weight significantly with proper rear springs and a trans cooler. The car is plenty powerful but it's not sprung for towing.

 

[sushidog]

One not only needs to consider weight, but frontal area as this provides the biggest problem with towing with a car - mainly from overheating the transmission due to drag from wind resistance. For this reason I suggest adding an aftermarket transmission cooler, like I have if wanting to tow anything with a car. Installing a transmission shift kit when you change your transmission fluid and filter is a good idea also. My first transmission on my 06 Cobalt lasted 300,000 miles but I had my TCM (transmission computer) tuned for towing, something you can't do on a 2000 car. A pop-up will get much better gas mileage than a full height trailer too. I usually get from 21-24 mpg towing my Aliner with my car depending on how fast I go and the terrain.

I second the recommendation of a pop-up camper like an Aliner or one of the clones like Chalet or Forest River. It takes me all of 30 seconds to erect my Aliner - a very minor inconvenience.

Here's a video showing how easy it is to do:

Here's a link about mine and the small, 4 cylinder car I tow it with. http://www.cheaprvliving.com/which-vehicle-to-live-in/living-traveling-pop-aliner-trailer/

Chip

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Welcome heavner! What are your physical capabilities?

 

[heavner]

Welcome heavner! What are your physical capabilities?

Hi, I have severe arthritis in my knees (I'm on disability). So I can't do much walking or climbing. I'm looking a cargo trailers with ramp doors.

 

[heavner]

I think you mostly answered your own question, 2000 pounds? The car will obviously tow it, but I'd be inclined to try and trade the car for an SUV, truck, or even van with a V8. Half ton would work, three quarter ton a bit better in my opinion.
Like I said, your car will do it, but you will probably need to limit the cargo trailer to 6x10, and be mindful of your weight.
You can also go to UHAUL and ask. They will tell you what size trailer your car is capable of towing for free.
If you stick with the car, you will need to install a good hitch, and should get a brake controller installed too.

I want to keep my car because at 17 years old it only has 30,000 miles on it, so I'm thinking it still has a lot of life left in it. Plus its really comfortable to drive.

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard !
You just found the answers..
Just ask the questions.
(as you have already seen)

 

[DLTooley]

I'll second the 'lower profile' option. Teardrop trailers are the most common generic 'camping' form and there are also lower height cargo trailers. It does mean you can not stand up inside.

Test driving or renting a UHaul would be a good move. You could even try camping out of a rental.

 

[SalsaDog]

FWIW, I pulled our 6x12 cargo trailer for two years and it worked OK. BUT, a car does not have enough ground clearance or 4 wheel drive. The best camping is on the worst roads. I purchased a 97 diesel truck. Better mileage and we can go anywhere. Don't be afraid of a diesel. If you are pulling something, a diesel is the way to go. An SUV is for people who think they need 4 wheel drive to drive on pavement in the city. It's entertaining to see them trying to drive in the desert or forest roads.

I'm sure there will be some anti-diesel comments predicting the sky will fall.

Talk to and listen carefully to the people who actually pull a trailer with a diesel truck.