Towing a 1200 lb camper with the HHR...?
Thread Starter
Joined: 06-07-2021
Posts: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
Towing a 1200 lb camper with the HHR...?
Hello all!
(I'm new here, and I know there are several other threads on the topic of towing, so apologies if this is not allowed/redundant but I was hoping some experts/enthusiasts might weigh in on my specific question.)
My aunt passed her 2006 Chevy HHR (automatic, ~140K miles now) down to me about a year ago. It's a funky car for a city person (DC/Baltimore) but I love how quirky the thing is, and the amount of cargo space! Anyway, my partner and I are looking to be able to get outdoors more, specifically to spend about a month visiting friends in New England this summer/fall and are looking into getting a little camper so that we can easily travel/sleep/work for a few weeks on the road.
I'm hoping to find something as light as possible, since my HHR manual says it only tows 1000 lbs (and I think that's technically supposed to include anything loaded inside the vehicle ). I'm thinking a hard-sided pop-up (don't want the cats - they travel well and love to hike - to destroy a canvas one). We're open to a small towable camper but it's been much harder so far to find one used, in our price range, and light enough (or almost light enough) for the HHR but large enough for two adults to sleep and work in relative comfort for the better part of a month... (If you're curious, we want a full/queen size bed, a dinette with space for two laptops, and space for a mini fridge. A sink would be nice but we prefer to avoid the on-board lavatory.)
Anyway, more to the point: How strict would folks say the 1000 lbs tow limit is? I've read forums that say you can push that, or that it really depends on tongue weight... but I don't want to do anything too dangerous, especially if that 1000 lbs is supposed to include anything inside the car (not that there would be a ton, but probably 200-300lbs of human, cat, and clothes/snacks/etc., not including driver since I think 1000 lbs assumes driver weight is separate). On the flip side, I guess the car is no longer under warranty so it's not like I'm voiding it, and I doubt I'll ever sell it... but then there's general strain/wear and tear on the vehicle and potential safety issues... I found an A-liner that's supposed to be about 1200 lbs; is that pushing it too far?
(I'm new here, and I know there are several other threads on the topic of towing, so apologies if this is not allowed/redundant but I was hoping some experts/enthusiasts might weigh in on my specific question.)
My aunt passed her 2006 Chevy HHR (automatic, ~140K miles now) down to me about a year ago. It's a funky car for a city person (DC/Baltimore) but I love how quirky the thing is, and the amount of cargo space! Anyway, my partner and I are looking to be able to get outdoors more, specifically to spend about a month visiting friends in New England this summer/fall and are looking into getting a little camper so that we can easily travel/sleep/work for a few weeks on the road.
I'm hoping to find something as light as possible, since my HHR manual says it only tows 1000 lbs (and I think that's technically supposed to include anything loaded inside the vehicle ). I'm thinking a hard-sided pop-up (don't want the cats - they travel well and love to hike - to destroy a canvas one). We're open to a small towable camper but it's been much harder so far to find one used, in our price range, and light enough (or almost light enough) for the HHR but large enough for two adults to sleep and work in relative comfort for the better part of a month... (If you're curious, we want a full/queen size bed, a dinette with space for two laptops, and space for a mini fridge. A sink would be nice but we prefer to avoid the on-board lavatory.)
Anyway, more to the point: How strict would folks say the 1000 lbs tow limit is? I've read forums that say you can push that, or that it really depends on tongue weight... but I don't want to do anything too dangerous, especially if that 1000 lbs is supposed to include anything inside the car (not that there would be a ton, but probably 200-300lbs of human, cat, and clothes/snacks/etc., not including driver since I think 1000 lbs assumes driver weight is separate). On the flip side, I guess the car is no longer under warranty so it's not like I'm voiding it, and I doubt I'll ever sell it... but then there's general strain/wear and tear on the vehicle and potential safety issues... I found an A-liner that's supposed to be about 1200 lbs; is that pushing it too far?
Senior Member
Joined: 05-09-2018
Posts: 258
From: NorCal
is that pushing it too far?
Y E & S = yes
Like the professional tree trimmer said; If your cutting anything off a ladder it's wrong.
If you are pushing to more than 80% of GVW Gross vehicle weight wrong imo.
Why? Is your health and safety and lives of others worth the risk?
No and add go as in
NO GO sorry. Safety 1st.
Like the professional tree trimmer said; If your cutting anything off a ladder it's wrong.
If you are pushing to more than 80% of GVW Gross vehicle weight wrong imo.
Why? Is your health and safety and lives of others worth the risk?
No and add go as in
NO GO sorry. Safety 1st.
Senior Member
Joined: 12-05-2014
Posts: 3,330
From: Northern Ohio
The 1000# limit seems to be a default arbitrary number assigned to many GM vehicles. Limit. Maximum. Towing a bulky trailer with lots of wind drag? Not far I hope. Going cross country including up and down mountains? Don't expect that little 4-banger to last long. Maybe some cooling system mods will help. BTW, peur the manual it's no towing for HHR's with manual trannies, and no towing for any SS model.
Last edited by PulpFriction; Jun 9, 2021 at 09:16 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-26-2008
Posts: 1,488
From: Sequim Washington
I vote No ... add up everything in weight above the 1200 lb. unit. Don't add in the fuel.
You don't mention what engine you have.
Cooling and Brakes will be a challenge.
You would Need XL rear tires with proper PSI
SF
You don't mention what engine you have.
Cooling and Brakes will be a challenge.
You would Need XL rear tires with proper PSI
SF
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