towing capability?

[hapwin]

Anyone towed something using their Corolla? I am looking to tow a 1400lb concession cart to start my own business. Tired of working for corporate liars.

Thanks

[Crowbar911]

I remember reading somewhere that it was 1500 lbs. But that sounds like way to much for the braking and handling systems of the car.

[Downhillzze110]

do you have the owners manual? its in there. if you dont and you dont get an answer by tomorrow i'll look it up cuz i still have mine.
and 1400 sounds way too high. i think the owners manual says 750lbs. but that may be tongue weight. if you want to tow i would HIGHLY recommend buying a truck as a corolla is an econobox not a tow-hero. you can pick up old 'yota trucks for cheap now and those things will run like champs until the fenders rust off.

[wylee]

I know the 9th gen is 1500lbs and handles 7-800lbs very well. Based on my experience I wouldn't tow over 1000lbs very often and I'm not sure I'd want to do it at all in heavy traffic...especially with an automatic.

[Crowbar911]

Just checked my book and KBB.com

The 8th gen is rated for 1500 lbs.



I personally dont see how thats possible, as the car hardly weighs more than 2000 lbs.

If you do it, make sure its short distances, flat roads, and turn Overdrive off to give you some engine breaking if you need it.


When I went camping last, I had myself my fiance, plus 800 lbs of camping gear stuff in the backseat and the trunk. The braking did NOT feel stable on the mountainous roads.

Our car tends to have a ton of brake fade, due to the smaller front breaks, and the drums in the rear.

[Downhillzze110]

750 lbs must be max tongue weight then. that or i'm thinking of a COMPLETLY different car (it happens...)
as i stated earlier, buying a truck or a van is your best bet IMO. if you do decide to stick with your corolla then upgrade your brakes (search the forum on how), get a trans fluid cooler (local parts stores should have them), upgrade your tires (more load means you need higher load rated tires, which will mean sacrificing speed rating), and a suspension overhaul (new struts, springs, sway bar links and bushings, etc) will only help.
now at this point you may be thinking all that work will cost money... easily to the tune of $1000+. which brings me back to stressing my earlier point, buy a vehicle that can tow 3000+ lbs. believe me when i say that you do not want to be caught braking down a hill and have your brakes give up. and considering how you live in Kentucky, OP, hills are unavoidable for you, as are corners.

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Yep, the 7th, 8th and 9th Gen Corollas are all rated for 1500lbs. Although personally I wouldn't tow any more than 1100lbs.

[randini667]

I tow 1000lbs+ often with my 01 prizm. It tows like a dream, comfortably going down the highway at moderate speeds (sometimes moderately high ).

It's a really nice trailer too, so I think that makes the difference for me personally. I always make sure the tongue weight is tweaked out just right.

Just my 2 cents.

-Randy

[liensalebuyer]

what kind of concessions are you doing? Food?

[hapwin]

Thanks to all who replied. I will be towing a concession cart. I haven't decided which one to buy yet but of the ones I am looking at the heaviest one is
1360 lbs. I have thought about a truck or van but don't have the funds for both. I am going to use the profits from concession business to buy a truck later to tow it. Maybe I will trade my corolla for a truck.

Thanks for the replies

[AlaricD]

Tongue weight should be between 9 and 15% of the gross trailer weight.

750lbs would be 50% of 1500lbs! So, no, that figure is incorrect.
For a vehicle with a 1500lb towing capacity, the tongue weight should be between 135 and 225lbs. Too light, and the rear end doesn't get pushed down enough for the rear wheels to provide effective braking and control. Too heavy, and the front wheels are affected (not to mention the problems with the rear suspension getting compressed).

[fishexpo101]

Most I've pulled with the Corolla, with just a trailer is around 800lbs. Never do that again, as the car was wholely unstable.

Even with just the trailer and a motorcycle (Harley Super Glide @ 650lbs wet) and a driver - that will seriously put some strain on the little car - even with traielr brakes.

For short distance or temporary type of work on more of less level grades - Corolla can handle that sort of workload. But it would behove you to beef some things up if you want to keep the car as a daily driver (i.e., not die on you). This includes performance brake pads, aux transaxle cooler (automatic), load distribution bar and trailer brake controller.

If you have tow on a regular basis - I'd invest in a better truck or van.