Towing Capabilities - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

pete_dc6 · 07-08-2010, 10:22 AM

I plan to rent a 5' X 8' uHaul trailer to move. I want to pull it with my 2002 corolla. uHaul says I need a class II hitch for this. Do they even make a class II hitch for the corolla? Any thoughts...suggestions on towing with the corolla?

***zythr*** · 07-08-2010, 12:11 PM

Yes. Rent a Ford F-150, Dodge Durango, or GM Pick Up, seriously. This is what they're designed for and what they do best.

fishexpo101 · 07-08-2010, 12:18 PM

Corolla is only spec'd for a Class I hitch setup (2000lbs max trailer weight, 200lbs max tongue weight). Even though their share the same size receiver "hole" (1.25" x 1.25"), Class I hitches generally have a stopper or pin inside that prevents you from sliding in a ball mount from a Class II hitch, assuming that they will provide that to you. That way, they prevent people trying to run a larger ball mount for a heavier trailer on a lower class receiver hitch.

If this is the enclosed trailer from uHaul - that will be a tough one. I believe that particular 5'x8' trailer weighs in around 800-900lbs empty - the max weight for the Corolla is 1500lbs. Meaning that you can't really stuff a whole lot in there - unless it is fairly lightweight stuff.

If you have close to 800-1000lbs of stuff you want to move, I'd recommend getting a smaller box truck and have a friend drive your car or get a two wheel car dolly and tow your car behind the box truck. That's what I did coming after college (and very short on funds) - 10' box truck/van and a two wheel car dolly and stuffed the car with stuff that didn't fit in the box truck.

wylee · 07-08-2010, 12:54 PM

Unless you're moving really light stuff, think about a different trailer or a different vehicle. As fishexpo said, the U-haul 5x8 is more than half the towing capacity for the Corolla when it is empty. How far are you moving?

baileymyk · 09-28-2011, 04:08 PM

I know this thread is old, but wanted to share my experience.

I have a 99 Prizm 3 speed. I drove it with a 1350 pound 5x9 trailer from NH to VA and then drove it back loaded with a 250 lbs engine. No problems. The car is slow and stopping distance was doubled. Watch out for driving in rain and I wouldn't even consider driving in snow while towing. I say go slow and you'll be fine. If you have to floor it for more than a minute just to get up to highway speed then maybe you're towing too much!

Bennie · 09-29-2011, 07:12 AM

I towed a 5x8 enclosed trailer with about 600-700lbs of stuff in it. Nothing broke and I got there. That's about all I can say though, I'm pretty sure my car wasn't very happy about it.

I would imagine anybody moving would not only have a trailer full (which I did not even have) but also have a car full. You have to take that in to consideration as well. The rear suspension will not support that kind of load. Put 5 adults in the car and see how it looks going down the road. If you are going 10 miles you might be fine. If you are going state to state it is going to be one stressfull drive of hopeing you make it.

baileymyk · 10-02-2011, 07:45 PM

Apparently my 99 Prizm is better than your corolla then!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hummerh2o

dont tow with a corolla, you will certainly blow the motor/tranny.

Clayton1984 · 10-02-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baileymyk

Apparently my 99 Prizm is better than your corolla then!

No, you were simply lucky. 4 cylinder passenger cars were not designed to tow.

baileymyk · 10-02-2011, 09:32 PM

1400 miles of lucky is pretty lucky. How come they make a hitch for it?

I'm guessing you've never towed with yours?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clayton1984

No, you were simply lucky. 4 cylinder passenger cars were not designed to tow.

Clayton1984 · 10-02-2011, 10:10 PM

"they"?

I tow with my jeep.

Bennie · 10-03-2011, 07:16 AM

"Certainly blow the motor/tranny" lol, I've towed a lot of miles with mine. I have yet to blow a light bulb from it. Like ANY vehicle, you can't go hitching up anything you want, you have to tow an appropriately sized trailer for the vehicle. I have no problem towing anything under 1,000lbs. and I don't have the car fully loaded at the same time. To be honest, it's got a much better track record than our Honda Pilot. We're on our 3 transmission in that at 172K miles.

Bennie · 10-03-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hummerh2o

Let us know what happens when your at a dead stop towing 700 pounds going up hill.

Don't hold your breath.

Bennie · 10-03-2011, 10:17 AM

Actually the funny thing about towing the 5x8 trailer was that I was towing it because the transmission went out in the Honda Pilot. What a POS. Don't ever get Pilot.