ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: schaney on April 17, 2008, 09:31:00 AM
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Here are some pic of my Explorer Box Camping Trailer. Weighs about 400 lbs dry so it doesn't strain my Tracker to much.
What kind of camping trailers do others pull?
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I pull heavy trailers all the time with my zuks no problem.
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Did you buy it or build it?
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I tow a roughly 700 lb 1963 Nimrod camping trailer with my Tracker. On the flats it's fine, in the mountains I can really feel it. Definitely keeps the turbo spinnin'. Wanted to post a picture but the file was " too big." Photo's of trailer ay www.flickr.com/photos/bentparts.
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I was wondering this question myself. I have an '02 Vitara 4cyl auto and regularly pull a utility trailer with my ATV on it. The setup weighs about 1000lbs. Seems like I could pull much heavier. I am looking at purchasing a camping trailer but there's nothing decent under 2000lbs. How adverse would it be if I pulled 2500lbs or more with my Vit? I see PT Cruisers pulling Airstreams so I'm sure you can go over the manufacturer's spec, right? I've also heard that the European models can tow more. I wonder why?
Any thoughts?
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We tow a 1966 Apache Buffalo Mesa with our Tracker. It weighs about 800 lbs empty and probably just short of 1K with our equipment. It tows very well on the prairie, and struggles a bit in the hills, but does pretty well overall. The Apache is very well made, but it takes a bit of muscle to set up because it uses a lever system to raise the roof, rather than a spring or crank setup.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/jzap/P7110172.jpg)
Last summer we stripped the woodgrain vinyl off the trailer and did matching paint on the camper and the Zuk.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/jzap/P7040807.jpg)
If you go over to apachepopups.net, there is a guy that has one just like this one for sale. I think its in Arkansas.
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What kind of wheels are on your tracker? Do you know the size of them? They look great!
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I tow a 29' Wilderness TT. But I do that with a QC DRW Cummins. :laugh:
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I tow a 29' Wilderness TT. But I do that with a QC DRW Cummins. :laugh:
Man, I need a rig like that to tow both my units!
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Jzap, I like the matching trailer
Yankee-Tim, Mine is a home-built, I've had some many people like it, I actually wrote a construction manual for building one, check it out at Compact Camping Concepts (http://www.cttct.com)
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Jzap, I like the matching trailer
Yankee-Tim, Mine is a home-built, I've had some many people like it, I actually wrote a construction manual for building one, check it out at Compact Camping Concepts ([url]http://www.cttct.com[/url])
i watched your video and browsed your site
and i think its a really good idea
how much can that tent hold? (weight/people-wise)
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Jzap, the wheels are 15x7 with 3.5" backspace. They are a knock off of WELD wheels, I found them on ebay. The guy who makes them ( made them, they're gone now) had the centers and rims seperate. He made them to any backspace you wanted. They are VERY light, not paticularly suited for rock work ;), but I use them off road all the time. Just got to be careful. The best part is I paid $80 each. PS, Nice looking rig, like the matching paint. Did the same to mine, but gotta admit, I got the idea from you!
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Ok, so I need some advice here. I looked at the European specs for a 4 door, 4 cyl. automatic Vitara and they're saying it will tow 1850kg! That's 4078lbs! Why is the English Vitara capable of towing more? Is it a different country safety laws thing? I really need to figure this out because I am currently looking at purchasing the Jayco Baja tent trailer and it's specs require a 4550 GVWR vehicle. I don't really care about the "gutless" factor, I'll stay in 3rd at no more than 100km/h on the highways. I just don't want to destroy my Vitara. Should I use a weight distributing hitch? Any advice?
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Ok, so I need some advice here. I looked at the European specs for a 4 door, 4 cyl. automatic Vitara and they're saying it will tow 1850kg! That's 4078lbs!
That's got to be a misprint, same chassis, motor, drivetrain, etc, as the rest of the world, and ours are rated at 1500lbs. More than that and you wouldn't be able to stop it even IF you got it moving. Towing 4000 lbs with a Trackick/Vit is insane. The whole damn vehicle only weighs 2300lbs! Better have some seriously modified brakes and motor too.
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...and ours are rated at 1500lbs. More than that and you wouldn't be able to stop it even IF you got it moving.
Not to mention if you hit the brakes in a turn you'd be jack-knifed in a hurry! :(
I'd actually try to keep it around 1200lbs. just for peace of mind.
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Ya I know, it sounds ridiculous but I've been googling this for a couple of hours and every single spec I find for a UK Vitara says 1500 lbs towing without trailer brakes and 4000 lbs with tralier brakes. Am I missing something?
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Ya I know, it sounds ridiculous but I've been googling this for a couple of hours and every single spec I find for a UK Vitara says 1500 lbs towing without trailer brakes and 4000 lbs with tralier brakes. Am I missing something?
perhaps it was the Grand Vitara
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Ya I know, it sounds ridiculous but I've been googling this for a couple of hours and every single spec I find for a UK Vitara says 1500 lbs towing without trailer brakes and 4000 lbs with tralier brakes. Am I missing something?
No, that makes sense - in a way. :-\
Stopping is the biggest safety issue. Many vehicles pull a trailers much heavier than the vehicle itself. The problem becomes being able to stop it in a sure distance. The Trackers/Vits have a solid rotor (not ventilated) so under load it will be prone to overheat, fade, warp and all kinds of other nastiness. With trailer brakes the trailer does some of its own stopping work, putting the braking force on the tow vehicle back to the level it has under the rating for a trailer with no brakes.
I'd say you'll have a hard time finding a light weight trailer (under 2500lb) with brakes.
All that said, there are basically two things to look at;
1. Towing capacity
2. Tongue weight
Even if the specs say you can pull 4000lbs with the Vit, I wouldn't. The vehicle is just GROSSLY underpowered for that load. You'll never get over 40 mph and your mileage will be cut by two-thirds. I could pull my fifthwheel weighing 8000lbs with my full-size Chevy and get WAY better mileage!
Also, when you get heavier in trailer, you get heavier in tongue weight. You really have to watch this if you enjoy steering! With the short wheelbase and VERY short distance from axle to hitch, you're going to get bounced around real easily.
It's a matter of the right tool for the job. If you've got a heavy camper, tow it with something capable. If you want to camp with the Vitara, compromise on the camper.
You'll enjoy life more... and possibly longer! ;D ;D
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Gen-erix, the tent is almost a queen bed wide and 8' long. It can hold 650 lbs. It's normally my my wife and me with a couple of border collie sleeping at the end.
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Gen-erix, the tent is almost a queen bed wide and 8' long. It can hold 650 lbs. It's normally my my wife and me with a couple of border collie sleeping at the end.
thanks
that number is perfect for my needs
although now you got me thinking
how do you know it can hold 650 and not 700?
>:D
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Ya, you're right Gen-Erix, thanks for bringing me back to my senses. I think I might pick up a used full size pickup for cheap somewhere and use it for my heavy towing needs. Towing that heavy with my Vitara will probably shorten it's life considerably.
Oh well, it was interesting seeing everybody's opinion on this subject.
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Gen-Erix, I'm sure it's like any manufacturers rating, there is some safety margin figured in ;D
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Gen-Erix, I'm sure it's like any manufacturers rating, there is some safety margin figured in ;D
true!
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I do not rember where I got this photo, but I thought it was a real nice trailer. I think it is in New Zeland.
Wayne
(http://i26.tinypic.com/29dfzph.jpg)