Small Car, Lightweight Camper, Class I hitch?

[PickinWithDixon]

I have a 2023 Mazda 3 that I will be building a foamie to pull behind. The goal for the camper is to be under 750# total, loaded and ready to camp. I can pack in the car itself as well. Class I hitches are 200# tongue weight and 2000# gross weight.

Is anyone towing their trailer in such a setup? They do not MAKE a 2" hitch for my car, and I realize this is because people would be dumb and try to haul a 30' boat cross country if they were made. There is potential that I trade up to an explorer, but this has not happened yet and not settled on. I would like to keep driving the Mazda, and most of my trips would be shorter trips and one major trip a year.

I you are in a smaller vehicle, are you towing with it and how is that experience?

Thanks!

 

[DrewsBrews]

This made it from Cincinnati to Denver and back. 1st gen xB (manual trans) 1.5liter and 2450lb factory curb weight. Class 1 hitch was all they made for them. Around 900lb in those two motorcycles plus ~300lb of trailer. Myself and a buddy probably totaled over 600lb, plus all our riding and camping gear in the back. Since the rear suspension had seperate shocks and springs (not struts) I was able to add "helper" air bags in the springs to handle such overload situations. The tires I put on the car were over rated for the car weight too so I could air them up more. I can't say it was a walk in the park but it did it. 98hp can only do so much with those big rolling hills on the highway.

Not suggesting anyone do the above. Or that you have to do the same modifications to your car. It is just an example for what small cars can do with the right preperation and attentive driving to maintian safety.

IMO that is the main point of teardrop trailers. So small vehicles can pull them.

 

[PickinWithDixon]

I've seen others mention this as well, towing with a focus, scions like you, EVs, etc. I feel pretty good about it so I'll go ahead and grab a hitch and get moving towards my build!

 

[Pmullen503]

Unless you do something crazy your foamie trailer should come in well under 1000 lbs.

The more important factor than weight with a small car is drag. With a small car it can be like pulling a parachute at 70 mph. Worst case you plan your route to stay on 55 mph roads which can be very scenic compared to the interstates.

 

[Camping Cur]

We pulled a 1993 Coleman pop-up (about 1000 pounds) very well with our Prius. It had the Class One 1.25" hitch on it. Kept to back roads mostly and not more than 60mph usually. Still got 35MPG on our trips! So...I say Go For It! Just be sure and get the plug-and-play wiring harness. Got our hitch and harness from e-trailer (no connection to us) and it fit like a glove.

 

[Camping Cur]

PS: We also pulled a homemade 5X8 with our Kia Soul. About the same weight. Cruised down the road just fine!!

 

[pchast]

I had a 2012 outback I towed with for a couple of years. No trouble at all.

I will say its important to have the transmission fluid changed regularly. I did it every 25000... A couple of those times the oil was on its 'last legs', dark and thicker.