JeremyL wrote:
I'm looking to upgrade my Yaris to a car that can actually tow a very simple, small trailer. Yet I have no need for a truck or SUV.
A 2011+ Toyota Matix (tow capacity 1500 lbs according to SAE J2807 standards) and a Little Guy 5 wide (970 lbs empty weight) currently top my list. I really like the idea of a hard-side trailer so I know I'm VERY limited with trailer options (i.e. Little Guy or Aliner Alite 400). After living with my 40 mpg Yaris, I don't want a daily driver that gets 22 mpg. Nor do I need 11000 lbs of towing capacity. Yet I want to be realistic and safe.
Does anyone have any real world towing experience with cars? Any suggestions of cars that can tow 1500 - 2000 lbs? Thanks!
Towing and high mileage are mutually exclusive, you can not have both at the same time.
Even IF you found say a 1500 lb trailer to tow it will drop your mileage like a rock.
Think of it like this, basically with towing it is a lot like pushing a bunch of cement blocks without wheels.
You also have more than weight to worry about, hard sided trailers have a very large frontal area which creates a huge amount of drag.
Not sure as to your expectations but even a small popup trailer is going to weigh in at least 1500 lbs empty.
Then you put personal items like blankets, food, clothing, drinks and any other camping items and you will easily add 800-1000 lbs.
If you are really concerned about mileage then towing is not for you, stay in motels and hotels and enjoy 40 mpg otherwise towing you will be 10mpg or less.
