Towing a trailer, anyone?

[fmicle]

Hi,

My little Yaris has been a good work horse over the past 2 years; we've gone on camping trips, ski trips, had chains on it and it worked great. The thing is, my wife likes to cook really good while camping, so we usually bring a lot of stuff :-) Until now, I dealt with that by folding the rear seat. But two months ago we had a baby, so there will be even more stuff to carry in the future, plus I can't fold the rear seat anymore.

So, I was looking at renting the small Sport Trailer from U-Haul to deal with the reduced cargo space. I can't wait to see how it looks like! :-)

My question is, does anyone have any experience towing with the Yaris? Any thoughts, concerns, limitations, etc? I believe I would also have to install an towing harness to have power to the trailer for lighting and stuff, right?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Florin

[KCALB SIRAY]

a member by the name of Poorsha has one, PM him for details. As far as thoughts go, I wouldn't do it.

[supmet]

I wouldn't suggest anything more than a small bicycle trailer. I don't remember off the top of my head, but I think the yaris isn't supposed to tow more than 700 pounds. Even if the smallest U-haul is under 700 pounds loaded, I still wouldn't want to be towing ANYTHING in a yaris with a cross wind.

[SpaceShot]

I put on a class I hitch bar on and use it with a bike rack and hitch basket. The hitch basket I use for errands around town; recycling center, Home Depot, propane tank refill, and that sort of thing.

You should only carry about 75-100 lbs that way. With a small 1000lb capacity trailer you could do a lot more. Just keep it balanced so the tongue weight is not too much.

I haven't yet found a plug-in type trailer wire harness for the Yaris yet. You might be stuck getting a universal one (with the converter box) and tapping into the wires feeding the drivers side rear tail light.

[toad]

careful when you ask questions here about trailer towing! only discussions about oil viscosity raise more passion than the dreaded 'can i tow with the yaris?'. i'm not going to comment one way or the other, but i find it ironic that some folks will bash someone for even mentioning 'towing' on this forum, however, whatever you want to do to your engine to raise the hp is fair game :wink:

[360cubes]

I towed 70K of oversized equipment with my Freightliner!

I'd tow with the Yaris. Toyota doesn't recommend towing of course, as the car is small. Europe allows a 700lb towing capacity. I would imagine that this so called 'towing capacity' would decrease when you include driver (240lbs in my case), wife (115lbs in her case), kid and luggage (100lbs). That'd only leave a few hundred pounds that you can tow SAFELY. Keep in mind a hitch and draw bar also add weight (35-45lbs for a class I hitch).

I wouldn't exceed 60mph towing with the Yaris. After some test drives I'm still waiting for the wife to give me the go ahead to order one.... The first thing I'd do would be to install a hitch. If you have an automatic and plan to make weekend trips towing the trailer, you'd be wise to install an aftermarket transmission fluid cooler. If the dealer asks any questions, just say you plan to drive it through the mountains along the east coast and don't want any over heating trouble (or some other excuse so they won't question the towing and therefore possibly void the warranty).

If you don't plan to tow regularly (say, once a month), it might be best to install and then remove the hitch afterward, or at least before you take it into the dealer should you require any work done under warranty.

Alas, THULE makes some AWESOME small trailers that come in at 221lbs and are a mere 4' wide. The smallest can carry up to 1100lbs (too heavy for Yaris at max capacity!). It has skinny P145 tires for the fuel economy conscience and can hold up to 30 cubic feet. It's also aluminum so it won't rust. http://www.thuletrailers.com/fw/main/N1150-1500-117C41.html?LayoutID=9

[BailOut]

As has been mentioned the Yaris has a tow rating everywhere but in the U.S. owner's manual, and it is good for 70 pounds tongue weight and 700 pounds towing. I use a class 1 hitch and routinely put 2 mountain bikes back there on a bike rack, or snowboards/skis on an adapter that fits over the bike rack. I have also towed a 450 pound snowmobile on a 200 pound trailer across town for an associate and it did just fine. Just keep your speed to no more than 60 MPH, as was mentioned, and you will do fine.

Keep in mind that it tows like anything else does. Just as a truck responds and handles differently when towing, so does the Yaris.

[360cubes]

Not having a brake controller won't help with trailer sway. You'll learn to adjust your driving habits easily enough. When I first learned to drive a semi, I found a new respect for the road and others that I'm forced to share it with!

[GeneW]

I don't recommend if you have an AT.

Gene

[justjesus]

But, per my 2008 Owner's Manual of the Toyota Yaris Hatchback (p.155)

The following doesn't seem to apply to Canadian models.

"Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch carrier of a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your Toyota is not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers."

It appears you may tow with a Canadian model. There are a couple of pages (starting p. 156) that give you the specs, how to balance it, some driving tips etc. I'm not about to quote those pages, sorry.

[justjesus]

I wouldn't suggest anything more than a small bicycle trailer. I don't remember off the top of my head, but I think the yaris isn't supposed to tow more than 700 pounds. Even if the smallest U-haul is under 700 pounds loaded, I still wouldn't want to be towing ANYTHING in a yaris with a cross wind.

oh, and that figure (700lbs) is accurate. Nice memory!

[WeeYari]

This has all been debated in exactly the same manner for a couple of years now. Same facts get quoted, same speculations put forth. What is different between the earlier days and now, is that more people have demonstrated various uses of a hitch. So now we have more real cases to draw upon, instead of just unproven speculation. Lots of us use hitches for carriers. No problems. Quite a few have pulled small trailers. Again, with no reported problems. It really does not make sense that the US and Canadian manuals go in two different directions on this issue.

Here is mine with two of the 3 bikes that I normally haul.

[Grandieri]

I have a 4x8 trailer that I bought from lowes.No problems what so ever towing my trx450.I bought the curt class 1 hitch.Everything works great.I wouldnt tow with the uhaul trailer only because of the huge weight difference.Good luck!

[justjesus]

I have a 4x8 trailer that I bought from lowes.No problems what so ever towing my trx450.I bought the curt class 1 hitch.Everything works great.I wouldnt tow with the uhaul trailer only because of the huge weight difference.Good luck!

any pic from the underbody? I'd like to see how it's set up.

[WolfWings]

As a side-note, the 700lbs figure is for a 'dead axle' trailer that's just a cargo bin on two wheels with brake-lights on the back.

If you root through the Euro-specs enough for other vehicles with the same engine, you'll find that it's okay to go up to about 1000kg if you have a full braking system on the trailer but that's basically impossible to find in that weight class without getting something fully custom fabricated by a dedicated trailer shop. It'd be the limit of a Class-1 hitch (2000lbs) though, but again if and only if you have a trailer that does it's own braking.

[firebob]

If you’re looking for a supper light trailer you might want to search for talers made to tow behind a motor cycle. I have seen a few Yaris’s pulling them but have never talked to the people doing it to see how it travels with the car.

[POORSHA]

I have been towing with my small trailer. I use it around town and as far as 200miles. No problems. Just keep a couple of canadian dollars and the car thinks it is a canadian model, so it can tow.

[nemelek]

This issue comes up ever few months. Personally I feel that a small trailer under the 700 pound limit would be ok. However having been involved in 2 personal injury lawsuits in my life (one as a plaintive and the other has a defendant) I wouldn’t put anything past the insurance companies or lawyers if you were involved in an accident while towing.

[justjesus]

I have been towing with my small trailer. I use it around town and as far as 200miles. No problems. Just keep a couple of canadian dollars and the car thinks it is a canadian model, so it can tow.


SWEEET! This is about the size I'd been considering. Thanks man!

[Astroman]

I don't recommend if you have an AT.

Gene

My AT performed amazing towing, as long as you balance the load. I went over 1,000 miles with over 1,200 lbs total weight (passengers, dogs, gear, trailer) with a old 4x8 utility trailer and in all honesty it drove better (and netted almost 20mpg more) than my '87 Chevy Astro with a 4.3L V6. Just keep the trailer light, but for camping like you mentioned you should be fine.

[360cubes]

This issue comes up ever few months. Personally I feel that a small trailer under the 700 pound limit would be ok. However having been involved in 2 personal injury lawsuits in my life (one as a plaintive and the other has a defendant) I wouldn’t put anything past the insurance companies or lawyers if you were involved in an accident while towing.

Liability is of great concern, especially not to exceed GVWR or GCWR. If no GCWR is specified then it's an open playing field as Toyota manual says that the Yaris isn't recommended to tow, it doesn't state that you 'cannot tow'. Just abide by the weight sticker in the door jamb. If no GCWR is specified then use your best judgement. I wouldn't exceed 1000lbs without aftermarket brakes, let alone trying to pull a 2000lb load like the euro folks.

A tip on what NOT to pull with a compact: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY

[WeeYari]

any pic from the underbody? I'd like to see how it's set up.

Real hard to get pictures without hoisting the car. This is the Curt Class I hitch. My only complaint with Curt is that the finish sucks. Didn't take long for paint to flake off and rust. You can see it mounts to the transport tiedowns with 2 small and 1 large bolt per side, and tucks up behind the bumper.

[WolfWings]

I wouldn't exceed 1000lbs without aftermarket brakes, let alone trying to pull a 2000lb load like the euro folks.

That's something I entirely agree with. Thus why I said only go over the 700lbs point if you have a trailer with brakes on it, so it does a good chunk of the slowing instead of basically rear-ending your car every time you try to slow down. :w00t:

[POORSHA]

I have the Hidden hitch brand hitch, went through winter it still looks great. I got it from e-trailers.

[justjesus]

Real hard to get pictures without hoisting the car. This is the Curt Class I hitch. My only complaint with Curt is that the finish sucks. Didn't take long for paint to flake off and rust. You can see it mounts to the transport tiedowns with 2 small and 1 large bolt per side, and tucks up behind the bumper.

Those pics are plenty fine! Thank you for taking the time :thumbsup:

[WolfWings]

I don't recommend if you have an AT.

Actually, an Automatic Transmission is better at towing for most current cars, including our Yaris. Instead of slipping the clutch under the heavier load, the torque converter just does what it's designed for and multiplies the torque to let you get moving easier. It's also very easy to add an oil cooler to most automatic transmissions, which can almost eliminate the added wear and tear from towing.

For example, you could only get the Metric Tonne towing package for a Jeep Comanche with the AT because it was feasable to hook up a transmission-fluid cooler since the AT fluid was actively pumped like engine oil is, and and the stock AT torque converter could handle the load but the stock MT clutch would burn out.

With that package and a 5th-wheel kit reinforcing the frame? Those things are BEASTLY tow machines though, they have no problem towing a 35-foot 5th-wheel RV in the 16,000lbs range at 65 for hours on end. On a sub-3,500lbs compact pickup truck, mind.

[360cubes]

Trucks are meant to work, don't forget. However, manufacturers are pouring more money into bettering their automatic transmissions as only 10% of people currently buy a vehicle with a standard transmission (light duty vehicles). Even light duty trucks are now all automatic when equipped with a V8 engine. Automatics have more options and the valve body can be configured for more fluid flow if necessary. In some cases this can be done yourself. Shift kits are widely available for machines that regularly tow to decrease clutchpack/band slip, but only for automatics.

In some cases, you could easily exceed the GCWR as most owners generally do because they are CLUELESS when it comes to trailer and vehicle weight (sales people don't always tell you what you can safely tow, they'll just try to sell you something big and expensive in hopes that you'll buy it). One of my 2.5L Dodge Spirits that I owned has a 3 speed auto, and it had TWO external transmission coolers that were dealer installed (aftermarket parts). The car was used by by-law enforcement and was always driving slowly, or parked on asphalt, which gets really hot in the summer months. I put on 280,000miles on that car before the frame rusted through. Original transmission and bought it with 42K on the odo.

Electronics also play a big part in automatic transmissions as well. As much as I prefer a manual, the wife can't drive it, and I don't like rowing gears during heavy traffic.

[churp]

Sorry the pic is a little dark. Just finished a 1000 mile trip with the trailer...480 there empty, 480 back with a John Deere 300x, and about 80 miles while there getting my Dad into assisted living. Gas mileage suffered, I drove 65-70 mph. I have an auto tranny and it was in the 90-100 degree range during the day all weekend.

[ellenbetty]

There could be a carriage difference between the Yaris design sold in the US and the Yaris sold in other countries. For example of known differences between models, Toyota offers different size motors, and a diesel motor, in Europe, than are not offered in the US.

Plus there are import restrictions between the US and Canada because of different emissions standards.

So there could be enough differences between the US model other models that make towing with the US version unsafe.

Since Toyota provides a towing loop bolt for the US model of the Yaris, and recommends that tow truck operators not tow the US version of the Yaris using the under carriage, because of how light the under carriage is on the US model of the Yaris, Toyota may view the US version of the Yaris to be unsafe to do any towing.

If you decide to tow, with make sure that you have maximum automobile insurance coverage available.

[2009Toyotoad]

careful when you ask questions here about trailer towing! only discussions about oil viscosity raise more passion than the dreaded 'can i tow with the yaris?'. i'm not going to comment one way or the other, but i find it ironic that some folks will bash someone for even mentioning 'towing' on this forum, however, whatever you want to do to your engine to raise the hp is fair game :wink:

Towing? That's a little strange because I think the Canadian owners manual actually list a tow rating for the MT model. Why would folks be bashers on the idea? Besides I think the tow rating was high enough to pull a trailered small Jet ski or even a trailered snowmobile.

[Astroman]

There could be a carriage difference between the Yaris design sold in the US and the Yaris sold in other countries. For example of known differences between models, Toyota offers different size motors, and a diesel motor, in Europe, than are not offered in the US.

Plus there are import restrictions between the US and Canada because of different emissions standards.

So there could be enough differences between the US model other models that make towing with the US version unsafe.

Since Toyota provides a towing loop bolt for the US model of the Yaris, and recommends that tow truck operators not tow the US version of the Yaris using the under carriage, because of how light the under carriage is on the US model of the Yaris, Toyota may view the US version of the Yaris to be unsafe to do any towing.

Honestly, what you said is just speculation here. The cars are the same in Canada and the US build-wise, along with Europe. The most likely reason they don't want you to tow in the US is so you go buy a Tacoma or Tundra pickup instead, lol. The undercarriage being "light" is not why toyota recommends towing by the wheels, it's to prevent damage to the car and transmission. The loop bolt is not for towing BTW, it's there in case you get stuck in a ditch, and there is no access to the rear to pull the vehicle out. I put a few thousand towing miles on my AT yaris. The only time it had an issue was when I had negative tongue weight, and that tow was only a few miles in town.

[fmicle]

Here I am at the campground, got a site with electricity this time and they also have wifi, so I can post some pictures. 88 miles, one way, tomorrow we're driving back.

I must say I'm impressed, this configuration was easier to drive than I expected. The car handles just fine and drove most of the uphill sections of our trip in 5th gear at 55-60 mph. I think I will be using this trailer for many more trips to come.

And now for some UHAUL product placement. The Sport Trailer weighs about 550 lbs empty and costs $20 a day:

http://cqr1dw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p3vrD1n8w0WFZe9vmOdtmngSz-_SGJhzjdmQfFvi0veJpy51tQZl85fCtf9LQknvDZyjyw9HuyYf KILL-syCVVg/IMG_1558.jpg

http://cqr1dw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pbhWJxOdbkiOKCpUYRP269SfvDS2Ongo_EviJgWLD8KatQat Kntt-CDCMPeyx2OHKu0dODR1vMiRNgXTGieVf4Q/IMG_1569.jpg

http://cqr1dw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p3_muoxH8b-ZVlunjU1J4WmwPAAbRxQS6yGKPIM1ZQ05xHCe3ejnHXYlRAjkw Y_F-siaY8rvpcXW3n401Wam0xg/IMG_1577.jpg

I got a thumbs up from a little girl riding in a passing Toyota Sequoia on the way here :w00t:

[scape]

+1 on this: I wouldn’t put anything past the insurance companies or lawyers if you were involved in an accident while towing.

I think you really need to think about the manual's specs. 500-700lbs is pushing it in anything other than flat terrain, this includes people, cargo, hitch, trailer, and trailer-cargo... when towing, torque is a huge factor, as is what ever this little drive train can take care of. automatic vs. manual in hilly//rocky/slippery terrain makes this even harder. all in all, torque is a huge factor I think.

[GeneW]

Actually, an Automatic Transmission is better at towing for most current cars, including our Yaris. Instead of slipping the clutch under the heavier load, the torque converter just does what it's designed for and multiplies the torque to let you get moving easier. It's also very easy to add an oil cooler to most automatic transmissions, which can almost eliminate the added wear and tear from towing.

For example, you could only get the Metric Tonne towing package for a Jeep Comanche with the AT because it was feasable to hook up a transmission-fluid cooler since the AT fluid was actively pumped like engine oil is, and and the stock AT torque converter could handle the load but the stock MT clutch would burn out.

With that package and a 5th-wheel kit reinforcing the frame? Those things are BEASTLY tow machines though, they have no problem towing a 35-foot 5th-wheel RV in the 16,000lbs range at 65 for hours on end. On a sub-3,500lbs compact pickup truck, mind.

I don't doubt that the AT will do a better job at towing than an MT, especially given the "grabbing" I've been hearing about with Yaris clutches.

Can the AT hack it? Cooling isn't quite enough, you also need to modify the AT in SOME CASES to accept higher loads.

Gene

[nemelek]

Here I am at the campground, got a site with electricity this time and they also have wifi, so I can post some pictures. 88 miles, one way, tomorrow we're driving back.

I must say I'm impressed, this configuration was easier to drive than I expected. The car handles just fine and drove most of the uphill sections of our trip in 5th gear at 55-60 mph. I think I will be using this trailer for many more trips to come.

And now for some UHAUL product placement. The Sport Trailer weighs about 550 lbs empty and costs $20 a day:

http://cqr1dw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p3vrD1n8w0WFZe9vmOdtmngSz-_SGJhzjdmQfFvi0veJpy51tQZl85fCtf9LQknvDZyjyw9HuyYf KILL-syCVVg/IMG_1558.jpg

http://cqr1dw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pbhWJxOdbkiOKCpUYRP269SfvDS2Ongo_EviJgWLD8KatQat Kntt-CDCMPeyx2OHKu0dODR1vMiRNgXTGieVf4Q/IMG_1569.jpg

http://cqr1dw.blu.livefilestore.com/y1p3_muoxH8b-ZVlunjU1J4WmwPAAbRxQS6yGKPIM1ZQ05xHCe3ejnHXYlRAjkw Y_F-siaY8rvpcXW3n401Wam0xg/IMG_1577.jpg

I got a thumbs up from a little girl riding in a passing Toyota Sequoia on the way here :w00t:

That's a cute little set up. Towing 200 miles a few times a year probably wont hurt anything. But those are still hard miles and doing it every weekend would cause increased wear and tear on the Yaris.

By the way you have the best color Yaris Toyota makes.

[fmicle]

+1 on this:

I think you really need to think about the manual's specs. 500-700lbs is pushing it in anything other than flat terrain, this includes people, cargo, hitch, trailer, and trailer-cargo... when towing, torque is a huge factor, as is what ever this little drive train can take care of. automatic vs. manual in hilly//rocky/slippery terrain makes this even harder. all in all, torque is a huge factor I think.

I really didn't feel a big difference in handling or going uphill. On the way back I even had the AC on. Didn't make a difference, smooth driving all the way. The only big difference is when braking, you feel the extra weight you need to slow down, so you should plan for it. I also noticed that the hitch ball took a beating on the rear side, but no scratches on the front side, so again, I think it's the braking and the potholes/cracks in the road surface that make the trailer bounce.

Unfortunately, I don't have a temperature gauge, so I can't tell if the engine got hotter than usual during this trip, but I am not concerned at all, judging by how everything felt.

[Sodium Duck]

I just ordered a Draw-Tite hitch from etrailer.com. Also was able to find a 5% off coupon online: YT09. So total came to $88.XX shipped.

I will be pulling a small utility trailer for bringing trash to the dump, inner tubes for river trips, and maybe two bicycles -- or whatever small items need to be hauled. GTW will never be more than 200-300 lbs. Basically like having two of my friends in the back seat (which won't happen simultaneously).

[driftwood]

I just ordered a Draw-Tite hitch from etrailer.com. Also was able to find a 5% off coupon online: YT09. So total came to $88.XX shipped.

I will be pulling a small utility trailer for bringing trash to the dump, inner tubes for river trips, and maybe two bicycles -- or whatever small items need to be hauled. GTW will never be more than 200-300 lbs. Basically like having two of my friends in the back seat (which won't happen simultaneously).

Thanks! I just ordered one too.

[Revsson]

I just had an oil change at the dealer, and asked the service "advisor" about
hitches and installing CB or amateur radios. He said he hadn't heard anything
about issues with either one. Maybe I should have talked to a service
technician, as he didn't seem to know about issues with the airbag sensors.
He also didn't know that the manual said not to tow in the USA, but Canada
was okay.

He gave me a free quote on installing a "non-Toyota" hidden hitch
...somewhere around $442.00.
Yikes, from what I have read here, I could install it myself for less.
I'm still trying to decide if I want to spend the money on a hitch mounted
bike carrier. Haven't ridden the bicycle hardly at all this summer.

Anyway, thanks for all the info that you guys and gals are submitting
to this thread.

[Sodium Duck]

When I spoke to Toyota about 2-way radios, the "technician" there said that I should just keep it as far away from the ECU as possible. I doubt it would be a problem running barefoot on CB anyways.

And yea, $442.00 is a bit excessive for a $90.00 hitch...

[WeeYari]

At $442.00, it sounds like desuasive pricing to me. They really didn't want to do it. That's like $14 per minute. Did that atleast include wiring in a harness?

[Ataristyle]

I'm debating of selling my S10 ZR2 Pickup and replacing it with a yaris. I've owned Festivas in the past so I like the little car feel. Made a hitch for my 63hp Festiva and worked fine. Thing is, I will need the Yaris to pull my 1,000lb Jet Boat + trailer(300lbs?). No doubt she'll pull, but when I need to take the boat out of the water I fear the boat will pull the little car into the water with it. Boat launch is down the block from me, so its not a far drive. Its either a hitch on the Yaris or my '70 VW Bus. If I get a Yaris it will be stick. Anyone ever pull a boat with theirs?

[Got Mine]

I have a 2009 5 DR LB and wish to install a hitch..
Here is my dumb question..
I was informed that the 5 Dr is really a sedan in disguise.
Is this true?
I really want to start tweaking this thing but I don't want to be returning parts until I get the rirght prt.
Help or assistance is greatly appreciated.

[CTScott]

I have a 2009 5 DR LB and wish to install a hitch..
Here is my dumb question..
I was informed that the 5 Dr is really a sedan in disguise.
Is this true?
I really want to start tweaking this thing but I don't want to be returning parts until I get the rirght prt.
Help or assistance is greatly appreciated.

No. It's really a 3 door with 2 more doors, as opposed to a sedan without the trunk. Anything that will fit an 09 3 door will fit and 09 5 door (except for things that have to do with the door area (body side molding, side skirts that mount to the door frames, etc.).

Just remember that the 09 nose and tail are different than the 07-08 nose and tail. That is where the confusion about what fits comes into play.

[Got Mine]

Thank you very much..
Now all I have to do is hide my spending from the wife.......
( I buy Visa Card gift cards and pay cash for them. They can be used online and she will never see the bill....):smile:

[CTScott]

Thank you very much..
Now all I have to do is hide my spending from the wife.......
( I buy Visa Card gift cards and pay cash for them. They can be used online and she will never see the bill....):smile:

I totally hear you on that one. My problem now is that my kids are too observant. I sneak something new on and almost immediately hear "Hey Dad, when did you get that thing for you Yaris?"

[Tonavi]

I have a trailer hitch and am looking into building a trailer for taking bikes, boards, and other gear. Problem is that I can't find a wiring kit for the car for trailer lights. How did you get it? I'm not electrically inclined, so I wouldn't be able to make one without a really good guide.

[WeeYari]

I have a trailer hitch and am looking into building a trailer for taking bikes, boards, and other gear. Problem is that I can't find a wiring kit for the car for trailer lights. How did you get it? I'm not electrically inclined, so I wouldn't be able to make one without a really good guide.

A direct plug-in wiring kit does not yet exist. Probably never will.

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=378366&postcount=19

[birdman]

Yakimas "Rack and Roll" ultra light alloy trailer with a telescopic tongue can hold Multiple kayaks, Canoes, bicycles, you name it.
Keeping loads to 700 pounds is probably a bit less than a Yaris can manage. They know people are going to way over load them so they keep their recommended tow weight conservative. I've seen tiny cars in Europe towing small super light travel trailers, so I imagine this little giant can too.

[2006fronty]

Yakimas "Rack and Roll" ultra light alloy trailer with a telescopic tongue can hold Multiple kayaks, Canoes, bicycles, you name it.
Keeping loads to 700 pounds is probably a bit less than a Yaris can manage. They know people are going to way over load them so they keep their recommended tow weight conservative. I've seen tiny cars in Europe towing small super light travel trailers, so I imagine this little giant can too.

Wow those are expensive:eek:

[exit90a]

The first thing I'd do would be to install a hitch. If you have an automatic and plan to make weekend trips towing the trailer, you'd be wise to install an aftermarket transmission fluid cooler. If the dealer asks any questions, just say you plan to drive it through the mountains along the east coast and don't want any over heating trouble (or some other excuse so they won't question the towing and therefore possibly void the warranty).

The transmission fluid cooler sounds like an easy and affordable bit of insurance for towing. I did a bit of searching but found nothing here or on google. Are these kits universal and where do you get them? Thanks.

[HighVelocity]

Try this............................................

http://www.bushtecmotorcycletrailers.com/

[exit90a]

I was asking about transmission coolers for towing. I already have a trailer for towing motorcycles ON. Your link is for trailers to tow behind a motorcycle.