Forum Discussion
- PAThwackerExplorerThat patriot is probably maxed out with the kayaks alone.
- GeorgeNJExplorerI'm pulling a pop up with my 2015 4 cyl Jeep Patriot. I'm sure it's either close to maxed out or just beyond, but I just take it easy, not in any race to get where I'm going. I've towed it twice for 10 hours with no problems and a whole bunch of 1-1/2 trips down to the shore.
- I did with a 1985 S10 V6. It was gutless and miserable with no trailer. Near impossible with the pop-up. But we did make it to Yosemite that summer. Bought my F150 six months later. Modern 4cyl might do fine. Keep the trailer GVWR within the tow rating for best results.
- mileshuffExplorerTowed a 1,000lb Coleman popup with a Suzuki Samurai for many years. Then towed a 2,000lb popup with a 4 door Suzuki Sidekick. Brother towed a similar popup with a Nissan truck with 4cyl. All towed quite well. Weights given are fully loaded. Trailers were all mid 90's models.
Today's popups are often much heavier with high sides and far more amenities that increase their weight substantially. With the right popup, a 4cyl mini truck should do just fine. Just keep below the trucks tow ratings. - tatestExplorer IIDepends on which truck. Before choosing, check out the capacities and ratings for each truck you are considering. Some small trucks are more capable than others. Newer models are a lot more capable than small trucks from the 1970s and 1980s.
Equipment choice can be crucial, factory towing packages might add 1000-1500 pounds to tow ratings and 150-250 pounds to allowable tongue weights. My 2001 Ranger was limited to 2500 pounds, could have been 4000 properly equipped.
Since the 2000s when small pickup 4-cyl engines got into the 2.5 liter range with 150-200 HP, towing capacities could be as much as 3500 pounds for a 4, sometimes 6000+ for a V-6. You'll usually have at least 600-800 pounds load capacity to deal with passengers, cargo and tongue weight, maybe a lot more for lighter trucks (e.g. regular cab).
In recent years, small 4-cylinder trucks have gotten hard to find new, as formerly compact lines have been sized up to mid-size four-door models, with 3.5 to 4.0 V-6 engines as standard equipment, except maybe the occasional work truck. Nissan and Chevrolet/GMC are still putting a 4 in their mid-size trucks, but dealers don't carry many in stock, more likely to order for fleet buyers.
Do you have a particular truck in mind? New Colorado has a 200 HP four, rated to tow 3500 pounds with the tow package. - twichersExplorerAs a child, we had a 64 Mercedes 190D (55hp, 87ft-lb) pulling a StarCraft Popup; did the same with a 69 220D (59hp, 93ft-lb) and then a 76 Granada with an inline 6 pullng a Venture popup.
Slow and steady...
Sorry for veering off-topic..... - beemerphile1ExplorerI towed an Aliner Sport behind a 1.8L Pontiac Vibe for about eight years. It towed great and even got an average of 22 mpg when towing. We enjoyed about 25,000 miles towing with the two.
- NanciLExplorer IIDouble post, sorry
- NanciLExplorer II
aftermath wrote:
I towed my '79 Starcraft PU with an '87 Mazda pickup for a good number of years. I had a canopy on that truck and we were usually filled up pretty good and had two daughters in the jump seats in the cab.
We didn't have any trouble. Drove all the way to Banff and then to Yellowstone and lots of places in between. We kept up with traffic and I don't remember ever holding traffic back to any extent. I did NOT like coming down the big hills though, almost no engine braking.
We ended up selling the Mazda because the girls were getting big and they needed more space. Yes, you can do it. A larger engine would be nice but you can pull a small PU with a 4 cylinder.
Thank you
Jack L - aftermathExplorer IIII towed my '79 Starcraft PU with an '87 Mazda pickup for a good number of years. I had a canopy on that truck and we were usually filled up pretty good and had two daughters in the jump seats in the cab.
We didn't have any trouble. Drove all the way to Banff and then to Yellowstone and lots of places in between. We kept up with traffic and I don't remember ever holding traffic back to any extent. I did NOT like coming down the big hills though, almost no engine braking.
We ended up selling the Mazda because the girls were getting big and they needed more space. Yes, you can do it. A larger engine would be nice but you can pull a small PU with a 4 cylinder.
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