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Message started by jgardhouse on 07/08/8 at 15:03:27

Title: Smallest Tow Vehicle
Post by jgardhouse on 07/08/8 at 15:03:27

Lets say you needed to tow a 2200LB car, with 400 LBS of spares/tires.
Assuming a high quality aluminum trailer, what is the smallest vehicle that one could practically use? I know some folks (Randy Zimmer with a subie wagon, I think Warren was towing with a Forrester)...

So what is still in production that would work as a semi-fuel efficient city vehicle?

Title: Re: Smallest Tow Vehicle
Post by DaveC on 07/09/8 at 07:45:08

Jamie, if you looked into it, I think you would find that neither Randy or Warren's set-ups would be recommended. However in Europe, people routinely tow with much smaller rigs than are recommended in N.A. Lawyers have something to do with this.

I think that you would be looking at 3500-3600 lbs with your proposed set-up. I think that the smallest vehicles you could use would be:

Best bets:
Small Pick-ups - Ranger, Colorado, Canyon, Dakota

Small SUVs - Escape, Grand Vitara, etc.

The pickups have the advantage of longer wheelbases that make them more stable.

MAKE SURE YOU GET A TRANNY COOLER INSTALLED IF ITS AN AUTO!

Title: Re: Smallest Tow Vehicle
Post by robin on 07/09/8 at 09:22:36

My Tacoma has a tow rating of 6500lbs and tows the big Soobie on a steel tilt trailer with little drama - on the other hand, I drove it fully loaded to Kenora and got 20mpg - not as good as I thought it would be. I have the 6speed which has a higher final drive. The auto apparently gets better mileage.

Robin

Title: Re: Smallest Tow Vehicle
Post by jgardhouse on 07/09/8 at 12:33:40

Hmmm, I just realized a VW Passat wagon could work. W8 4Motion should be heavy enough (and you can put a 6spd manual in it)...

No pickups and no SUVs - thats not how I roll!

Title: Re: Smallest Tow Vehicle
Post by logan on 07/09/8 at 14:41:58

For the cheap you can't beat an ex cop car, you can pick up a good Crown Vic at auction for $1000-2500. Just make sure to put some air suspention shocks in the rear or you'll be dragging the rear.

They are not the prettiest cars but a Ford Freestyle is a good station wagon/SUV cross, they have 6 speed autos in them and are realitivly cheap.

But as you have a Mazda, and I am a Mazda lover too go with an early 90's MPV 4wd.

Title: Re: Smallest Tow Vehicle
Post by jgardhouse on 07/09/8 at 15:05:21

See its for someone else to drive and me to steal the 3-5 times a year I need/want to tow... A forrester with a swap could work...

Title: Re: Smallest Tow Vehicle
Post by robin on 07/10/8 at 07:38:03

Grassroots Motorsports had a piece a while back about their Odyssey - used to tow a variety of their cars around.