Installing a hitch and towing a trailer... thoughts?

[CrankyOldMan]

The official weight I've seen around here is 700 lbs but that's only specified for Canada. The US doesn't offer any rating for tow capacity, probably due to some liability or FMVSS issues.

I've towed a Harbor Freight 4' trailer with tires and racecar stuff for years with no issues. Probably isn't more than 250 lbs loaded. That said, I've pulled close to 1k before and it's not something you should do often. This was with the Corolla engine though and I have a manual trans as well with a higher force pressure plate, theoretically giving my drive train more capacity. Any way you slice it, you shouldn't ever exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) which is a combination of the vehicle, fuel, passengers, cargo, etc.

The real weak point is the fact that the hitches all mount to the unibody, so you're mechanically limited to what the threaded inserts or weld points can hold.

[myfirstyota]

Originally Posted by CrankyOldMan

Any way you slice it, you shouldn't ever exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) which is a combination of the vehicle, fuel, passengers, cargo, etc.

The real weak point is the fact that the hitches all mount to the unibody, so you're mechanically limited to what the threaded inserts or weld points can hold.

Basically what I was getting at. My 3 door hatch with no back seat/spare/plastic has a gvwr of 1440kg. I know the car is around 1000 kg+/-

For sheer weight, a small trailer can't be any worse on the driveline than say 4 or 5 large adults in the seats? No?!? Only disadvantage I can see is not having the extra weight over the braking wheels for traction purposes.

I think it all depends on what you're towing with a yaris. Few slicks or a lawn mower and a trimmer, like the o.p, or say that new dryer you bought... you'll *probably* be just fine.

[WeeYari]

Look at all the hitch/towing threads that have been amassed on here over the years. A small trailer carrying a bit of lawn equipment; the Yaris will barely know it's there.

[tonynf89]

I've towed a lot of small trailer loads with my 2007 yaris hatchback, manual transmission with no issues.

Usual load is a Honda Rincon ATV.

[dogsridewith]

Originally Posted by CrankyOldMan

The official weight I've seen around here is 700 lbs but that's only specified for Canada. The US doesn't offer any rating for tow capacity, probably due to some liability or FMVSS issues.

I've towed a Harbor Freight 4' trailer with tires and racecar stuff for years with no issues. Probably isn't more than 250 lbs loaded. That said, I've pulled close to 1k before and it's not something you should do often. This was with the Corolla engine though and I have a manual trans as well with a higher force pressure plate, theoretically giving my drive train more capacity. Any way you slice it, you shouldn't ever exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) which is a combination of the vehicle, fuel, passengers, cargo, etc.

The real weak point is the fact that the hitches all mount to the unibody, so you're mechanically limited to what the threaded inserts or weld points can hold.

You had a Corolla engine in a Yaris?

[CrankyOldMan]

Originally Posted by dogsridewith

You had a Corolla engine in a Yaris?

Have. =) 2ZR swap. Lots of threads in the performance mod section.