Towing capacity. May not seem like much, and not really something most consider when choosing a compact, but it makes a big difference.

My wife's parents bought my sister-in-law a piano, so they want to get us something too, and we decided on a tent trailer. The Corolla's towing capacity is 1500lbs. This severely limits the options as any given company makes maybe one or two models under this limit. The lightest we could possibly find, and the one we're probably going to get, is the Fleetwood Destiny Taos. It weighs in at 1245lbs. Honda doesn't list towing capacity on their website, but google searches seem to indicate Civic's towing capacity is 1000lbs. My parents' 2000 Accord also has a tow capacity of 1000lbs. Interstingly, corrent Camry's capacity is also 1000lbs.

Again, not really something 99+ per cent of people are really going to care about, but it is one way in which we serendipitously chose the right vehicle in Corolla over Civic.

On a side note, does anyone have any tips or warnings about towing trailers? Neither of us have towed anything, so we're complete noobs when it comes to this.

I'll take your word for it.

Here's a tip. Don't tow in a Toyota Corolla.

If you must haul something, use an Adam Carolla instead. He's not good for much else.

Towing a tent trailer isn't a real big issue. Invest in a quality brake controller. Make sure the shop doing the installation does a proper job on the wiring or else you could end up dealing with wiring issues every year. Like any trailer just watch how you pack things and keep an eye on the tongue weight. Make a physical check that the hitch is securely on the ball. Cross the hitch safety chains so that they'll "catch" the end of the hitch. Always put the safety pin in. Always. Whenever you're not towing, remove the hitch.

Lastly, practice driving with it. There isn't a major change to your driving habits, just don't cut the corners especially turning right. There isn't a need to "swing out" to make a turn. You want to get good at backing? Go to a very quiet location and practice backing around a corner without cutting it, jumping the curb, or crossing into the other lane, all with the passenger side mirror. When you're parallel (both vehicle and trailer)without having to take excessive room then you've got it. Learn how to manipulate the back end of your trailer by cutting the wheel in different directions going forward and in reverse. Doing it on the driver side after you mastered the passenger side is dirt easy. Do it slow, it isn't a race. Watch the front end of your car. It's easy to forget about that because you're concentrating on the back end. If you need extra eyes then the passenger has to ground guide and make sure the signals are understood by all involved. The "vague" hand wave is your enemy. If you have a trucker friend, buy him a case of beer to teach you how.

See? Easy, eh?

Sorry to interrupt, but if you want to haul a trailer, this is the way to go.



Plus you help contributing that whole global warming at the same time.

They weigh a few ounces. Shop around for a reasonable price. I have an electronic Tekonsha (it's 10 years old now) and it's handled everything from my boat to a loaded triple axle trailer very well. You'll want a controller to allow your trailer brakes to work in conjunction with the car's brakes. The harder you press on the pedal the more the controller applies the trailer brakes. Without one, you get either full on or full off, and that is worse than none at all.

A parking lot is fine for the initial stuff. Move on to practicing on the roads. A nice quiet country road with a clear intersection and good observable approaches is just the ticket. Take it slow, watch the angle of the trailer (it's hard using just the passenger mirror, but that's the most valuable practice) and limit the number of "pull forwards" you need to do to get it in place. Start by limiting yourself to two and shoot for none. If you get into trouble, just pull out and start again.

Limit practice to a couple hours an evening to keep the frustration level down. In a few days you'll be an expert and be able to show them old farts in their 5th wheels you can do the business, because they sure as shit will be watching!

Limit practice to a couple hours an evening to keep the frustration level down. In a few days you'll be an expert and be able to show them old farts in their 5th wheels you can do the business, because they sure as shit will be watching!

Yes, the place that installs the hitch should be able to also install the controller.

Jeez, it's a tent trailer, Spr, not a 50 ton trailer

Jeez, it's a tent trailer, Spr, not a 50 ton trailer

Actually I was only joking around before considering the thread. A truck is much better for hauling. A new Ford 250 will do some hauling with plenty of power, I would know (not bragging here). Please see the Zig thread for my comments.

Since SprCForr is serious, I do not want to make a mockery of this thread. The towing capacity perhaps goes to the Corrolla, but the better car is the Civic.

Jeez, it's a tent trailer, Spr, not a 50 ton trailer