Small tow vehicle suggestion Corolla vs CRV

[ansupal]

Hello All,
New to the forum, I have seen quite a few great designs on teardrop and other smaller trailers / campers. I have two vehicles little older Corolla and CRV and both has the same tow capacity of 1500lb. Corolla on highway gives about 38-42mpg and CRV little between 28-30 mpg. If I can stay in total trailer wait below 1300lb which of the two shall pick?

Thank you for suggestions.
Ansu.

[John61CT]

Start with the heavier one, get your brakes checked, keep the car itself as unloaded as possible and stay at a much slower speed than usual, it's the stopping that's much more important than the going.

Add a transmission temp sensor if going up hills, stop when it gets hot and install an aux dedicated tranny radiator if you find yourself having to pause a lot.

Add a tow bar to the other one too eventually, so you can test if it's better suited.

And so you can use it when the first one dies, or at least is no longer good for towing.

Consider a load distribution hitch.

Did I mention taking it slow?

[drhill]

The answer completely depends on the drive train that each unit has. What is the year of the vehicle and the engine and transmission specs. Some of the newer ones have CVT's and I wouldn't want to chance towing with one of those. Towing with the heavier vehicle is good advice.

[ansupal]

The answer completely depends on the drive train that each unit has. What is the year of the vehicle and the engine and transmission specs. Some of the newer ones have CVT's and I wouldn't want to chance towing with one of those. Towing with the heavier vehicle is good advice.

My CRV is from 2008 a CVT and Corolla from 2011. I did see an advice from Toyota that they recommend Trailer with brakes for if over 1000lb. My tentative goal is to stay below 1000lb but plans do change and summer time adding a small AC unit may take over the top of my initial goal.
Now, my plan is to travel to nearby state parks and only stay on paved roads. I am more scared of a construction truck pushing me aside of a narrow road than towing itself , happened twice already even without towing.

[friz]

The answer completely depends on the drive train that each unit has. What is the year of the vehicle and the engine and transmission specs. Some of the newer ones have CVT's and I wouldn't want to chance towing with one of those. Towing with the heavier vehicle is good advice.

My CRV is from 2008 a CVT and Corolla from 2011. I did see an advice from Toyota that they recommend Trailer with brakes for if over 1000lb. My tentative goal is to stay below 1000lb but plans do change and summer time adding a small AC unit may take over the top of my initial goal.
Now, my plan is to travel to nearby state parks and only stay on paved roads. I am more scared of a construction truck pushing me aside of a narrow road than towing itself , happened twice already even without towing.

I would do the trailer brakes anyway, ill explain why. Camping payload can grow out of control quite easily. Pretty soon you trailer as well as the tow vehicle are going to be loaded to the roof. Just happens. All that stuff weighs. Also, mountains are a favored destination. That's hard on brakes also. Small engines just don't have the drag to benefit much from a lower gear to slow you down on long steep decents. My camper weighs 500lbs empty. There are times I could use trailer brakes behind my Ford Focus.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Tom&Shelly]

Hello All,
New to the forum, I have seen quite a few great designs on teardrop and other smaller trailers / campers. I have two vehicles little older Corolla and CRV and both has the same tow capacity of 1500lb. Corolla on highway gives about 38-42mpg and CRV little between 28-30 mpg. If I can stay in total trailer wait below 1300lb which of the two shall pick?

Thank you for suggestions.
Ansu.

Any reason to pick right now? If you can tow with either, that just gives you more options. Once the trailer is built you can try both and decide which one you like. All else being equal, I'd pick the one that was more comfortable to drive on long trips--a personal preference.

Oh, and +1 on Friz' suggestion to include trailer brakes.

Tom

[pchast]

I tow with my Outback, a cvt. I've had the cvt fluid changed every 50,000. So far no major troubles.
My TD is less than 600lb. Occasionally I get a half yard of stone for the driveway. its a level tow at 45mph.

Your milage may varry.

[ansupal]

Thank you Tom&Shelly, pchast , friz.
Agreed, wish I can reduce the weight and after hearing from you all I am planning to built with brakes in mind.

[EZDog]

The answer completely depends on the drive train that each unit has. What is the year of the vehicle and the engine and transmission specs. Some of the newer ones have CVT's and I wouldn't want to chance towing with one of those. Towing with the heavier vehicle is good advice.

My CRV is from 2008 a CVT and Corolla from 2011. I did see an advice from Toyota that they recommend Trailer with brakes for if over 1000lb. My tentative goal is to stay below 1000lb but plans do change and summer time adding a small AC unit may take over the top of my initial goal.
Now, my plan is to travel to nearby state parks and only stay on paved roads. I am more scared of a construction truck pushing me aside of a narrow road than towing itself , happened twice already even without towing.

Your 2008 CRV is not a CVT transmission car?
Unless you designed and modded it yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ansupal]

Yes, it has a CVT.

[bobhenry]

Not rated to tow !

[EZDog]

Yes, it has a CVT.

Show me then

It is either not a 2008 or does not have a CVT if stock and I would love to understand why you think otherwise?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk