getting started questions

[buckyspeeps]

We are very interested in getting a teardrop or whatever to travel around the country. We have a Scion Xb. They don't recommend towing so Toyota doesn't include any information, but it has a 155 horsepower, 2.4 liter engine. They don't even recommend putting on a hitch, which we have already done for our bikes. Can anyone help us out with some recommendations for a very light, very minimally equipped trailer? We just want a nice place to sleep with no formal galley. We always travel light anyway. This is my dream to travel around the country and I really don't want to motel or tent the whole way.

[Roly Nelson]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. Perhaps some Scion owners can chime in and fill you in about towing a light weigh camping trailer. I have a 4 banger Camry, and have no trouble at all. Good luck.
Roly

[JenniferandPups]

Weclome! I'll just say that we've towed with our 2.2 liter 146 hp Subaru wagon quite easily (1500 lbs), though that car is actually rated for 2000# and they offer OEM hitches.
Also, our new Ford Ranger is only a 2.3 L engine, similar hp, and going to tow the same amount (or is planned), and is rated for 2250#. The difference between both of these and yours is that both the Subie and the Ranger are built to be a (very light) passable tow vehicle.
I would guess you will be very fine sub 1000#. Even our 1.4 L Corolla has instructions for "how to tow"... though I wouldn't try.

Now... the limiting factor for me is the standard/auto. The subaru is a standard. We dealt the clutch the final blow (150K miles) learning to back 1500# with it. After that experience, and from what I've read, I'd be hestitant to tow very much weight with a small standard transmission (our old Dodge V8 did fine with a standard, but it was just that much burlier). Our new Ranger is an automatic; it is now the "preferred" tow vehicle in our house.

Basically, if I were you, I'd plan on towing sub 1000#, add stiffer springs if needed, add brakes to the trailer, add a transmission cooler, etc.

[TPMcGinty]

Little Guy makes some light weight trailers. A friend tows one with a Subaru without any problems.

[Jst83]

I believe you can tow with a Scion The guy pulling these 2 has a 4 cyl in his and has no trouble. They've been to a few of our gatherings with there tandem

[Rvankeur]

I believe you can tow with a Scion The guy pulling these 2 has a 4 cyl in his and has no trouble. They've been to a few of our gatherings with there tandem

OK, I've seen that picture before - who sleeps in the little one? And where in the country is towing two trailers legal (other than the tractor trailers with the doubles)?

[bobhenry]

We are very interested in getting a teardrop or whatever to travel around the country. We have a Scion Xb. They don't recommend towing so Toyota doesn't include any information, but it has a 155 horsepower, 2.4 liter engine. They don't even recommend putting on a hitch, which we have already done for our bikes. Can anyone help us out with some recommendations for a very light, very minimally equipped trailer? We just want a nice place to sleep with no formal galley. We always travel light anyway. This is my dream to travel around the country and I really don't want to motel or tent the whole way.

TOWING WITH AN XB !

Who would be that crazy ?



ME

and we have a rather full galley

[bobhenry]

I am in the process of buying an all aluminum wave runner trailer from a friend. I can literally lift the entire rear of the trailer off the ground one handed. I want this trailer !!!!

It is 4'1" wide by 8'10" (Plus the tongue of course).

About 4 times a year we go and visit the kids and take our bedroom with us so as not to put anyone out. We simply plug in , climb in and go to sleep. There is really no need for a galley , the girls all join in in the kitchen and have a cook fest for all the meals when they get together.

This sounds like what you are looking for. A light but very solid base that can easily accept a lightly constructed shell. Primarily a hard sided tent!



This is not the exact trailer but very similar. A flat floor would even leave a little storage area below deck in the vee of the frame.

[bobhenry]

I believe you can tow with a Scion The guy pulling these 2 has a 4 cyl in his and has no trouble. They've been to a few of our gatherings with there tandem

OK, I've seen that picture before - who sleeps in the little one? And where in the country is towing two trailers legal (other than the tractor trailers with the doubles)?

Question 1 Mom and Dad get the big one and the 3 kids are in the other. They pull them side by side and have a walk plank and a nylon tunnel runs between them.

Question 2 Alaska , Arizona , Colorado , Idaho, Indiana , Iowa , Kansas , Missouri , Montana , Nebraska, Nevada , North and South Dakota, Ohio , Oklahoma , Oregon and Utah

[bobhenry]

I believe you can tow with a Scion The guy pulling these 2 has a 4 cyl in his and has no trouble. They've been to a few of our gatherings with there tandem

OK, I've seen that picture before - who sleeps in the little one? And where in the country is towing two trailers legal (other than the tractor trailers with the doubles)?

Question 1 Mom and Dad get the big one and the 3 kids are in the other. They pull them side by side and have a walk plank and a nylon tunnel runs between them.

Question 2 Alaska , Arizona , Colorado , Idaho, Indiana , Iowa , Kansas , Missouri , Montana , Nebraska, Nevada , North and South Dakota, Ohio , Oklahoma , Oregon and Utah

I found the pictures from our spring Raccoon Gathering

[Rvankeur]

Those pictures of the tandem teardrops and their occupants are great!

Beautiful rigs, but from the list of states where that's legal, I won't be seeing them crusing I-95 anytime soon.