You can carry a considerable amount more in a small trailer than you should carry with a roof rack. I would say for a smaller utility trailer and under 1000lbs you don’t need the tow package, just the hitch and wiring for lights.
Tow package or roof rack??
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Both here. Mine came with the roof rack...I added the trailer-towing package.
When I get to Boise, I think I'll scan the Jalopy Jungles there for helper springs...
When I get to Boise, I think I'll scan the Jalopy Jungles there for helper springs...
So, what caliber would you consider?
Depends how well you can back up a trailer, or if you encounter tight parking spaces (no room for a trailer). We use our 2011 Toyota Sienna for family vacation road trips, and have done both the roof bag, then the small trailer. The trailer IS easier to load/unload, less hassle with tying stuff down (just stuffed it full), and more aero dynamic because it sits level with the roofline of the van. Only problems were backing up in crowded spaces, parking (had to unhook and move it by hand at a motel one night), and places where it's not allowed (Hoover Dam; had to unhook and leave it somewhere for a while). The roof bag couldn't hold as much, and still had everything in the van so the rear sagged BAD, water eventually got inside, the straps were loose once and forgotten to attach once so it moved and got ripped, and it hit the wind. Eventually threw the roof bag away after two uses.
Our Sienna is a good match/comparison to the 5th gen Chrysler vans as far as power, suspension, and brakes. We do have twin piston front calipers, like the heavy duty brakes of the 5th gens. I really couldn't feel the trailer behind us on the highway, and braking wasn't too bad either. Being able to carry tools, a floor jack and a full size spare tire came in very handy.
This was at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico.
![Wheel Tire Car Sky Cloud]()
Trailer IS hooked up behind us here, but it's narrow enough that you don't see it (nor does the wind).
This is just above Hoover Dam.
![Sky Car Wheel Vehicle Land vehicle]()
At Needles National Park in South Dakota, where we had to find an out of the way place to park for a while to explore. Then we had to go through the tunnel on the right, so had to make a turn there and hope no one was coming. Can't see the trailer behind us unless people are looking for it.
![Sky Cloud Wheel Tire Car]()
And one more pic I took at Needles because I'm proud of it. Perfect subject, perfect lighting and time of day - - the eye of the needle (where the park got it's name)... That blue spot must be a reflection from something nearby, as there is no hole there.
![Cloud Sky Atmosphere World Light]()
Our Sienna is a good match/comparison to the 5th gen Chrysler vans as far as power, suspension, and brakes. We do have twin piston front calipers, like the heavy duty brakes of the 5th gens. I really couldn't feel the trailer behind us on the highway, and braking wasn't too bad either. Being able to carry tools, a floor jack and a full size spare tire came in very handy.
This was at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico.
Trailer IS hooked up behind us here, but it's narrow enough that you don't see it (nor does the wind).
This is just above Hoover Dam.
At Needles National Park in South Dakota, where we had to find an out of the way place to park for a while to explore. Then we had to go through the tunnel on the right, so had to make a turn there and hope no one was coming. Can't see the trailer behind us unless people are looking for it.
And one more pic I took at Needles because I'm proud of it. Perfect subject, perfect lighting and time of day - - the eye of the needle (where the park got it's name)... That blue spot must be a reflection from something nearby, as there is no hole there.
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