I don’t know this trailer, but a quick Google search turned this up, with is consistent with what you were told.
http://www.myvintagetraveltrailer.com/vintage-aristocrat-trailers/
Link refuses to post embedded
Better still the pictures show this a short and very low profile unit, so it is easily towable by several cars or most SUVs/vans. Gas mileage will be good compared to a more typical trailer.
The Chrysler 300 and Dodge Chargers are awesome for towing, the 3.6L used after 2011 is excellent, but not so good on gas as a Civic the other 48 weeks of course. They hold up well so you could buy an older one and for both you can buy off the shelf class III hitches which have plenty of capacity for this trailer. The only issue may be ground clearance, they are a low car. That depends on where you plan to take it camping.
Coming from a Civic I assume you want something very economical and therefore taking vans and SUVs off the list (many any of which would do for this):
A great smaller car used by many people here is a diesel Jetta, but the off the shelf hitches are only class I and so would be too strained without reinforcing. There are lot of people strengthening these to tow significantly larger trailers than the one you are looking at and the modifications would be simple, but that depends on their being a shop nearby will to do a bit of custom fab on a stock. It is also possible to buy hitches from Europe that are much stronger I’m told, in Europe car specifications are much more realistic and the Jetta is rated for towing 1,600 kilos, almost twice the dry weight of your trailer. There are other compatibility issues you may not want to get into unless mechanically inclined with a European hitch I’ve heard, I don’t know the details. Note the diesel is important for torque, if you go to a gas engine then you need to go to something in the 3.0 liter range for the mountains and that weight and at that point you may start looking at vans or a larger car. Some year Jetta’s have an independent rear axle, some do not. Independent rear suspension is much preferable for towing especially on a smaller vehicle.
Note you will find most cars are laughably underrated for tow capacity, based on marketing (not engineering) considerations, the real issue is getting a proper hitch setup which is very important with a car. Note there is one jurisdiction where there are legal implications for towing more than it states in the owner’s manual for these small trailers. You live close to that place, B.C. Canada, so I mention that just in case you plan to go there. With an old trailer always check the tires for cracks and age, check the brakes too (hope there are some!)
