cowgirly
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Post by cowgirly on Feb 26, 2017 14:40:19 GMT -8
Hi all! I'm thinking of purchasing my first trailer (1964 Aristocrat Mainliner) and am hoping for some advice from you knowledgeable folks:
I’m trying to get an idea of what kind of vehicle I’d need to tow this trailer. Seller said it's 2,000 pounds but I can't find anything online to corroborate this... any one have an idea?
And regarding a tow vehicle: currently I drive a 1997 Honda Civic 4-door manual transmission - and everything I read online advises against towing anything with this car. So I’d need to sell it and buy another - what kinds of older-model, reliable cars could easily handle towing it up the occasional mountain (I live in the NW), but still be an everyday around-town vehicle for the other 48 weeks of the year? Trying to understand the basics of what kind of vehicle it would need to be.
Many thanks!
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hairba11
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Post by hairba11 on Feb 26, 2017 14:48:57 GMT -8
2000 lbs is still a pretty light trailer. I'd look for something like an s10 or blazer if you need 4 doors. They're tough proven technology relatively cheap to repair and easily run up to 300k miles. Though I'd get one in addition to the civic. No reason to ditch reliability and 35mpg for 18 mpg for 2 weeks a year. My 93 s10 is a 4cyl 5sp gets about 23mpg with 340,000 miles on it and has a 3500 lb tow rating.
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cowgirly
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Post by cowgirly on Feb 26, 2017 14:51:37 GMT -8
2000 lbs is still a pretty light trailer. I'd look for something like an s10 or blazer if you need 4 doors. They're tough proven technology relatively cheap to repair and easily run up to 300k miles. Though I'd get one in addition to the civic. No reason to ditch reliability and 35mpg for 18 mpg for 2 weeks a year. My 93 s10 is a 4cyl 5sp gets about 23mpg with 340,000 miles on it and has a 3500 lb tow rating. hairba11, thanks for your recommendation! I'm trying to keep my life as streamlined/simplified as possible (one drivable vehicle) and I don't have room to park an 18'8" (has an extended frame) trailer, a Civic and a towing vehicle. So, I'm hoping to find an older, reliable yet inexpensive (haha, dream) vehicle which is good for most of the year AND for towing. Save
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Feb 26, 2017 15:51:31 GMT -8
Hairball got it. If You want a full size pickup, the 1988 to 1995 Chevy and GMC are usually priced so a person can afford them. My 1993 K1500 GMC has 270,000 miles on it and still performs like a champ. It gets 17 on a regular basis and in some conditions gets above that. The K rating means that it is four wheel drive, where You live in the N.W. that might prove to be mighty useful too. I figure about 12 to 13 mpg when towing and the 350 V8 has plenty of power to handle it. A relatively nice one can be had for around $3,000.00 and less if it has a lot of miles on it. You might also consider a real nice one that might need a transmission, they usually go for a $1,000.00 or less then another 2 thousand to get a nice heavy duty transmission with all of the uprated components installed. I like the extended cab so there is room for all of My survival gear in the back seat. It is about 16 foot long with the extended cab.
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Feb 26, 2017 15:53:31 GMT -8
OH Yeah cowgirly, Pardon My manners, Welcome to VTT forum.
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cowgirly
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Post by cowgirly on Feb 26, 2017 16:13:31 GMT -8
Thank you all!
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mel
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Post by mel on Feb 26, 2017 16:37:20 GMT -8
I would look for an old truck,jeep, quite a few suvs are good youll just have to check the tow rating. I am going to get one that has a 4000-5000 tow rating. I have asked this question on here in the past and most said to double to weight for tow rating, so if the trailer is 2000lbs then you have to think of all the stuff your going to have packed in it. so I would shoot for something with a tow rating 4500lbs
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Feb 26, 2017 19:43:34 GMT -8
I would look for an old truck,jeep, quite a few suvs are good youll just have to check the tow rating. I am going to get one that has a 4000-5000 tow rating. I have asked this question on here in the past and most said to double to weight for tow rating, so if the trailer is 2000lbs then you have to think of all the stuff your going to have packed in it. so I would shoot for something with a tow rating 4500lbs Yup, more is better when it comes to towing or pulling.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Feb 26, 2017 19:46:11 GMT -8
Welcome! I agree with Mel, look for something with a tow rating double the weight of the camper. I tried towing a 2500 pound camper with a pick-up rated for 3500 pounds and it was not pretty. I bought a Tundra (#1 rated by consumer reports for reliability) and at the time I believe the only pick-up built entirely in the USA...Toyota. It has a 10,000 pound tow rating. To get an honest weight take your camper to a scale. The local dump had one here. I took the truck for a weight then returned with the camper.
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cowgirly
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Post by cowgirly on Feb 26, 2017 19:47:11 GMT -8
Thanks, everyone! This info is really helpful.
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Feb 27, 2017 1:50:45 GMT -8
I agree that getting it weighed is important, pack everything you think you'll need or want to take (food,water,people clothes games fishing poles etc etc)
I wouldn't rule out the older Ford Crown Vic. Sturdy reliable cars that get good miles and are comfy. Most can tow more than the S10 with the right hitch and auxiliary coolers. They're still common as dirt so parts availability is no problem in the event of a breakdown.
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hairba11
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Post by hairba11 on Mar 1, 2017 3:21:35 GMT -8
One other option if it's really just a week or two a year? Rent a truck or suv from enterprise. It'll be about $250-350, there will be no older vehicle maintenance to do, no worries about breakdowns, no trying to fit a big vehicle and trailer on your drive, and the $20 extra per week you don't spend gassing up a truck/suv the rest of the year pays for the rental.
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Poquito
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Post by Poquito on Mar 1, 2017 4:15:56 GMT -8
I looked into this because my son is eyeing my SUV (turning 16 next Monday) and have been thinking about getting an older pick-up for better towing capacity. Anyway thought this might be an option if I don't find the right beater.
Enterprise pick up and return from Jacksonville, FL: 1/2 Ton 359.00 per week 1,000 miles free then .22 per mile additional (example Ram 1500) 3/4 Ton 459.00 same ex.: 4x4 super cab 1 Ton - call for price.
Poquito
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Mar 4, 2017 10:14:42 GMT -8
Just be aware that those rental trucks may not have a towing package or even a hitch or plug. Best be clear about that when calling.
OTOH, home depot rental trucks seem to come standard with that equipment.
Don't overlook one way rentals which may be cheaper than renting for a week. Depends on the trip you're taking.
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