Thinking about a trailer for my midsize crossover

I have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica (specs at bottom) and I want to start towing scrap with it. I've already hauled 8' steel beams hanging out the back, and I've strapped large scaffold type pieces on top, but I want to be able to haul large appliances, treadmills, riding mowers, etc. I only know a little about cars, and I've never towed anything before, but I like to learn.

Can anyone help me figure out what equipment and upgrades I would need? I want to start with a small trailer, because I need to be able to bring it into my apartment at night. Maybe something like this?
Utility Trailer 4'x8' - Heavy Duty Folding Utility Trailer

If not, I could always borrow or rent one from someone, but I would need to know what my car could handle. Like what kinds of things would I be able to haul, and what things I can't. Small cars possible? I would be doing this with my next tax refund (6-7) months from now, so I have some time to plan.

I'm based in Indiana, but a large Kentucky city is just across the river, so I will take into account both states' regulations. From what I gather, I would need these things to comply with the laws:

Weight distribution hitch optional but recommended, required @ 2000 lbs by car manufacturer
Brakes optional under 3000 lbs, but recommended
Double safety chains required
at least one red/green tail light, 2 white tail lights, 1 plate light
Mirror if rear view is blocked

There are the specs for my car that I thought were relevant:

Length: 16 ft. 6.9 in. (198.9 in.)
Max Interior Cargo Capacity: 79.5 cu. ft.

Engine: 3.5 liter, v-6, 250 hp @ 6400 rpm, 250lb-ft torque
Single overhead cam (SOHC) VALVES 24

Trans: Front wheel drive, 4-speed shiftable automatic

MacPherson strut front suspension, Multi-link rear suspension, Four-wheel independent suspension

Max Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs`*When adequately equipped, which may require engine and/or other drivetrain upgrades. (Such as???)



Curb Weight: 4444 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 5700 lbs
Gross Axle Weight Rating: front 2826 lbs, rear 2899 lbs
Max Combined Weight with Trailer: 8600 lbs

Load equalizing hitch recommended for loaded trailer weight above 1000 lbs, and required for above 2000 lbs

An important question... how do I estimate the weight of my loads so I don't overload anything?

I read through the specs on that HF trailer and it weighs in at 253#. You are seriously going to drag that into your apartment at night?

edit: I hope you don't live on the third floor.

with practice you can tell by looking at the tires to see if you are overloaded.

The Pacifica is rated to tow 3500#. I would get a transmission cooler installed if you'll be towing a lot. Heat kills transmissions. If you're towing 800# for 3 miles, I wouldn't worry about it. But, for frequent towing, a transmission cooler is nice.

Go for the weight distribution hitch. Crossovers don't usually have the rear suspensions that trucks do, so distributing that weight makes everything stable, easier to handle, and safer. Brakes are worth it, too. 3000# trailers with no brakes will hammer your front pads (And create really long stopping distances).

I think you could haul small cars if you use a dolly. I wouldn't haul a car on anything less than a 5000# GVW trailer, and those weigh 1500-2000# by themselves. A folding trailer may work going inside if you have a hand dolly. I don't know how stout they are, though. I've never owned a folding trailer.

Towing isn't cheap, but if you bought an old truck, you would want to pay for most of these upgrades anyways....

Chrysler's are known to have transmission troubles. Don't try to use a car/suv to replace a truck. Why do you have to bring the trailer in at nite?
If it's to keep it from being stolen then chain it up with a lock. When you start thinking about trailer brakes then you'll need a controller wired up in the vehicle. Not enough SUV to safely control the car style trailer.

I wasn't going to go there, but since it was brought up, Chrysler automatics can be pretty fragile. Both my Dodge's have been manuals for that reason.

For brakes, I would go the electric controller route. We had surge brakes on an old farm trailer ages ago- they were more trouble than anything else. The controllers are about $100 for a cheap one, and cost a bit to be installed. But, for a smaller vehicle, it's worth it. I can't imagine surge brakes on a folding trailer. A couple of appliances is a lot less than what I tow, too....

I think a Pacifica can tow a bit. I've seen them pull small travel trailers out here (Along with Enclaves, Q5s, Equinox's, ....). With weight distribution hitches, brake controllers, and a transmission cooler, you could do worse. If you have the space, a truck is always better. But, if you don't, you could do worse....

Anything's possible:

What's the point of a folding trailer if it weighs 300 lbs? lol I could understand if it were able to be dismantled easily.. (idea.. make my own!) I just talked with my landlord and I am limited to one parking space. I could park along the street for a few hours between loads, but I couldn't have a trailer attached overnight. Also, my neighborhood is a high-theft area. Another alternative is to find a friend close-by whose house I could store it at while I'm not using it, and they could use it too.

My car does seem iffy on the transmission already, I'll get a check-up tomorrow and look into souping it up. I'm also going to get all new tires, maybe this month. What other upgrades would you suggest?

About car dollies, would it be possible to make a hybrid? Like the back of the trailer have places to set front wheels in?

*Edit* I just measured my cargo area and my refrigerator, it would fit. Maybe I should focus more on the transmission and tires, and think about a car dolly. Since my scrap yard is only 5 minutes away, more than one trip isnt too bad. Although I would like to be able to pick stuff up while I'm out driving with the kids.

Thanks, Matador, you have great advice.

Glad that I could help!

When the tire shop is in there, have them check the brakes. Towing (Especially without brakes) causes the pads to work overtime, so you want to make sure they're in good shape. I've always changed my own pads so I can't comment on price, but they shouldn't be too bad. Also, try to get decent tires on the rear (An LT size is the sturdiest if they're in your size), because tongue weight will wear tires out a little quicker than an unloaded car will.

I know there are bolt-together trailer kits. If you could modify one of them to break down and fit inside the Pacifica (If you don't use the rear space), that may be a good idea. I don't know if it can be done or not, but it's worth a shot.

Oh, and if you use a dolly, don't tow an AWD car like a Subaru or an Audi quattro with it- that won't end well.

Oh, and if you use a dolly, don't tow an AWD car like a Subaru or an Audi Quattro with it- that won't end well.

And the Ford Fusion (some) since 2010 also has AWD. my daughter has one.

Yeah- any AWD vehicle cannot be hauled on a dolly (Without doing work to pull driveshafts). Otherwise that'll end badly!

You'll want to have the brakes checked every now and then, because towing forces them (Especially the fronts) to work harder, and loading will wear rear tires faster, so frequent rotations will help there. Make sure to get a decent hitch receiver with a high enough weight rating, and you'll have a good start. The receiver I bought for my old Dodge pickup was about $120 at Wal-Mart. If you look online, you can find them for considerably less.

If you tow vehicles with a dolly, I'd get a set of magnetic trailer lights. Just pop them on the car, plug them in to the trailer connector on your vehicle, and you have your stop, tail, and turn lights. I've flat-towed a couple of vehicles before, and that setup works really well.