Towing small camper
 

Has anyone done this? I'm looking at buying a pop-up camper, and was wondering if the HHR would be up to pulling it. I'm thinking it shoulnt be to big of a problem. But just was wondering if anyone else has here on the site.

Josh

Most pop ups weigh more than 1000lbs. Then you have to add the payload and people to the car, throwing the gross way over. After pulling campers and trailers for many years I wouldn't suggest it. I think a small yard trailer or a jet ski is all they will pull. You might check into the campers you can tow behind a motorcycle. They have some nice ones with air and other options. It's basically a tent that you tow with a matress inside.

The HHR only has a towing capacity of 1000 lbs, including passengers and payload. Even if you installed a transmission cooler it wouldn't be enough to offset the additional weight.

That's one of the problems of the HHR being based on a car chassis - towing capacity is significantly reduced.

i think it would struggle to move then struggle to stop.........doesnt seem like a good idea

if you are a 5spd, its a no-no per owners manual to pull anything......

Thats a good question. At a local fair a dealer had a HHR hitched to a tiny teardrop camping trailer (popular in the 50s). GVWR on the trailer tongue was 1000lbs. Prices started at $8000:eek:

Even the teardrops usually are over 1000 lbs. The HHR probally could tow it but after a little while you would end up with major problems. The rV dealers are notorious for selling too heavy of a trailer to someone who doesn't have the ability to tow it properly.

This is VERY good information! I too have been looking at small tent trailers or teardrops, and think we'll have to use the other car - and even the other car is questionable...dang, sold the Expedition with the tow package... never even used it.

Well according to DTV. The HHR is rated for 3500lbs towing capacity.

Whats DTV?

It is a virtual showroom on Time Warner cable. Drive TV Channel 1100. If you have it give it a look see. It showcases alot of vehicles. Chevy has the biggest showroom but it has all makes and alot of models......

http://www.golittleguy.com There was a mustang in the shop last week pulling one of these. They are around 600 lbs, $4000, and very nice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bdarby

Well according to DTV. The HHR is rated for 3500lbs towing capacity.

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If that's what they are stating it is way over what is in the manual.

The link for the on-line HHR manual is HERE.

Josh...

I just looked and saw you are in the Oklahoma City area (spent some time in Norman the past August). It gets hot there. By experience, the HHR cooling system is adequate for most climates but, not the states that see excessive heat and especially pulling a trailer.

Because I have experienced engine temp.'s higher than normal in my HHR, I am investigating the change of radiators....an additional quart of coolant will help tremendously.

here is another motorcycle camper link

I like the look of that little guy but this one looks like it got more room

I can see the 3600lbs towing weight for a short distance but try stopping it with the small breaks !

Remember the limiting factor on towing is the brakes. The 1000 pound limit is due to the hhr brakes; designed to stop the hhr and not much else.

In some states you must have Electric Brakes >1000 lbs. I think the 1000 lb limit is liability driven. I have been pulling small trailors for 25 years and have watched the tow ratings of cars march downward. Once SUV's became popular the bottom fell out for cars. I pulled a 16 foot keel sailboat and trailor (2000) pound with my old 1985 Dodge lancer 2.2 Automatic and it was rated at 1500 lbs with <100 hourse engine. My 1994 Ranger 5sp 4Cyl was rated as DO NOT TOW anything in the owners manual. I towed a 16 ft travel trailor on a 2400 mile round trip and many shorter Journeys. Now i am not gonna tow more than a little Garden trailor with my HHR, but my point is that I think there is suffencient give in the numbers to not really have to obsess over 150 to 200 pounds. Chevy probably has a point though. People expect to run 70 on the Interstate while towing so they have to adjust their ratings accordingly.

I think your right on the 1000# liability rating. I've towed trailers for about the same time as you and like you say most vehicles have been derated over the years. I pull a 13' Trillium behind my vehicles. Started with a 302 powered Prefect, to a blown 360 '34 dodge, to a 472 powered '55 Stude coupe, and towed in between with my 91 maxima (rated 1000#), 90 Toyota Camry, all autos with no problems whatsoever. The limiting factor is braking I think as well. My Trillium , loaded would be about 1500#, and has no brakes. I think towing a small trailer with brakes behind a 2.4 HHR would pose no problems, doing legally that's a different story. BTW the Pontiac Vibe and Matrix are rated at 1500#........go figure........:roll:

IMO pulling the weight is not the issue its STOPPING the weight...the brakes (rotors) on the HHR, well, suck....while on the Talladega trip we crossed over the Blue Ridge to get to my Brother house in VA....I had @800lbs of supplies and people in my HHR (nothing in tow) and had the you know what scared out of me when I needed to stop for the turn while I was coming down the mountain....at 1st the braking was fine but as they heated up and the rotors began to warp (due to the heating) the front end shook like crazy while I was braking (felt like a wheel was about to fall off)....so for me I would be careful towing anything ! or get a trailer that has its own braking system and better yet, upgrade the braking system for the HHR (this is something I plan to do this winter) if you plan to tow

Did you have a chance to try the I setting on the transmission? I cross a small moutain once a week and decided to give it a try. It's kind of spooky, but when I drop it in I it not only drops to third immediatly, It will later gear down further to 2nd on it's own during a particularly sharp downhill curve. Thanks for the heads up on the brakes, No way I'm going near a mountain in "D" after your news.

Been looking at Teardrop trailers myself and found this site.The weights are within towing capacity and the Retro look is cool.Just an idea for those who might be interested. http://www.golittleguy.com/ :smile:EDIT...If I had read back through the thread I would have seen Angelo's post,DOH!! :red: ...but still worth a look.:roll:

Very cool little campers.

I would KILL for a teardrop!!! They are pretty darned expensive, though, aren't they? And approx how much to get a hitch installed?

Another thing you need to consider is the drag while pulling a pop-up trailer. The width of the HHR is only 69" and most trailers are probably 76" or greater. That means the wind will be running into that front wall of the camper causing much more drag and greater controllability problems. Not a situation I want to tackle!

A couple of our members have motorcycle trailers. Here is one. I'm unable to locate the other one.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...rcycle+trailer

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...un2600x400.jpg
Here is a photo of my setup towing a small open trailer & my Harley. I'm taking a trip up north with several stops on the way. Just me & my RC models & the usual clothes.
I made the 1st stop in Virginia & had no problems at all. I kept it at a reasonable speed & she just rolled along fine.
The next stop will be maryland,then PA, then NJ, & finally CT. I'll try to post the results as I go along for those that might be interested.
If the URL dosnt work for the photo, just go to my gallery & it is there.
Ralph

I am thinking about a lighter trailer to pull my atv with removable ramps or a tilt. My Honda Foreman is 495 lb and the trailer is around 325. I only pull this 120 miles at a time between the GF's and my place but I have one grade I still do not like going up or down and I want to drop the ramp drag on mine.. I am looking into a cooler and would suggest that for any long pulls.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...HR/HHRSemi.jpg

Seems like a motorcycle trailer would be pretty good to pull. Some of those motorcycle trailers turn into pretty big camping areas. I've seen some that open and set up in just seven seconds. I'll have to see if I can find the site so I can post it.

You can install your own hitch with plug-in wire harness in an afternoon.The cost of hitch and wiring should not be more than $150 total.Here is a link to a seller I will soon do business with: http://stores.ebay.com/LWM-Transportation-Enhancement http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...2834425&rd=1,1

trailering
 

I have been pulling a trailer all over the U.S for about 40000 miles.It is 5x8 trailer ,I haul 2 -10 x20 tent on it and tables.In the back of the car I have all my paints and thinners.I drive it to carshows all over and still get around 29 mpg.1000lbs is a butch of BS,It will pull more than that.

I pull a 1700lb Aliner hard sided pop-up camper with my 2.4l cobalt ss auto. This velicle should have a similar tow capacity as your HHR.

There again, the limit is braking. I bought it used without electric brakes, but even living in flat Louisiana, I can see where they are needed - even with the good brakes on my SS. I plan on adding electric trailer brakes within a month.

I get 25mpg at 60mph (my top speed while towing,) and 31mpg at 45 on level ground with my 2.4l cobalt. I have a Westers tune, CAI, header and full exhaust, which helps in the hp and gas mileage dept. Oh yeah, a good tranny cooler is a neccessity. I have a Hayden plate type, which works well.

Attachment 40661 to the site sushidog!!!