The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Tow Vehicle for Your Vintage Trailer

I have strong opinions on tow vehicles for vintage trailers. I know there are folks in the camping trailer community who might not agree with me, but I tend to play it safe (despite my many crazy tales). When it comes to towing, I take no chances! I’m a bit of a nervous Nelly—I admit it. But let’s face it, many of us women can be a tad more anxious about towing. I’ve seen my trailer sisters white-knuckle it during their first few times behind the wheel, towing their little gems. Security and safety are always at the forefront of our minds, and rightfully so!

Small SUVs: A Risky Choice

Now, let’s talk about small SUVs to tow a vintage beauty. Some in the vintage trailer community promote using these vehicles to tow vintage trailers. They argue that since these little trailers are often light (especially the smaller ones), you should be able to tow them with “any vehicle within reason.” I see ads for small trailers like this that say "can tow with anything". I strongly advocate against this idea!

Even though small SUVs come with factory tow hitches and technically fall within the trailer's towing capacity, there’s a significant difference between the length and mass of a trailer vs a small SUV. Small SUVs are lighter and have shorter wheelbases, making them more susceptible to being affected by a trailer that’s out of control due to wind or road conditions. I’ve had trailers that “tugged” on my heavy beast of a Suburban, which was terrifying! I can’t even imagine what it would be like with a small SUV!

Confession time: I’ve always wanted a Jeep Wrangler to use with my vintage trailer. I just love them! The V6 version with a tow package boasts a tow capacity of 4,500 pounds. Great, right? My fully-loaded trailer averages about 3,000 pounds—well within the Jeep's tow capacity. But after extensive research and conversations with vintage trailer veterans, I’ve concluded that towing with a Jeep Wrangler would be a colossal mistake. Trailerites have shared many scary stories of mishaps involving Wranglers and towing. I will explain why.

The Physics of Towing

Let’s break it down: a trailer exerts various forces on the tow vehicle while on the road:

• Tongue weight: pressure downwards on the hitch due to the weight of the trailer and its contents

• Tension when accelerating (pulling the tow vehicle backwards)

• Compression when braking (pushing the tow vehicle forward)

• Lateral forces  (side-to-side motion) during sway. Poor load distribution, passing semi-trucks, and high winds can all increase sway.

Tension during acceleration is managed by a vehicle's tow capacity. Typically, the vehicle's engine has enough power to tow a certain weight. Compression when braking is handled by integrated trailer brakes or a brake controller. These factors are the obvious ones, that most folks are aware of. However, it is easy to forget about lateral forces when choosing a tow vehicle, and is a critically important consideration.

A long wheelbase acts as a lever, counteracting the side-to-side motion of the trailer. This means a vehicle with a longer wheelbase is less likely to be affected by the lateral forces exerted by a trailer. Conversely, a vehicle with a shorter wheelbase is more prone to sway and being pushed around by its trailer—not a good situation to be in!

A longer wheelbase equals more towing stability, period. Goodbye Wrangler dreams!

Electric Vehicles: The New Frontier?

For starters, electric vehicles are rad! I have one for my commuter car, and it saves me a ton of money on gas and repairs. There are many conflicting opinions about the environmental impact, but I won’t dive into that here (you can make up your own mind on that debate). However, some electric vehicle manufacturers boast about their EVs' towing capabilities. Chevy and Ford recently released EV versions of their heavy-duty trucks. Even my Kia EV6 has a tow capacity of 3,000 pounds, which would be plenty for my old Aristocrat Lo-Liner. But hold on a minute...

Real-world examples of issues with EV towing have made me hesitant to install a tow hitch on my Kia. Towing a trailer drastically reduces the range of EVs (go figure). This means more stops on your trip to charge! Trailers aren’t exactly aerodynamic, and EVs rely on that to achieve optimal range. Even the massive Ford F-150 Lightning has owners reporting drastically reduced range. Not ideal! All EV owners know that charging away from home is cost prohibitive.

Another issue: with the configuration of typical EV fast charging stations, most trailerites would need to unhitch their trailers to charge their EV. That means backing your trailer into a parking spot (which can be hard to find at busy charging stations), unhooking, charging, and then hooking back up. What a pain!

Needless to say, I’m skipping the EV as a tow vehicle.

Optimal Tow Vehicles for Vintage Trailers

Vintage trailer enthusiasts often gravitate toward classic cars to tow their little beauties. Personally, I have a soft spot for a 1960s era Cadillac to tow my Aristocrat. Many classic cars from the 50s and 60s had powerful V8 engines with plenty of torque. Plus, they’re period correct, as they were the original tow vehicles for vintage trailers of that era. If you have the know-how and skills to keep your classic car on the road—and can handle any breakdowns along the way—go for it! I’ve seen the cutest matching classic car/trailer pairs that are simply dynamite and envied by all.

My current tow machine, "Cherry Bomb"

I don't have the mechanical ability to maintain a classic, so I prefer a Chevy Suburban or GMC Yukon XL. They have a generous tow capacity, long wheelbase, and ample cargo/passenger space. They’re also comfortable and powerful, and here’s a bonus for those hot summer days in California—they come with ice-cold air conditioning! The new models can be pricey, but as a second car dedicated to family trips, camping, and towing, I lean toward older, pre-owned models. They’re more affordable, and prior to 2015, they tend to be pretty reliable. I have my mechanic install heavy-duty shock absorbers to offset any extra hitch weight, just to be safe.

I know many fellow atomic trailer owners who tow with large pickup trucks or other full-size SUVs, and they generally have good towing experiences. I’ve towed with a Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150 at different points in time and felt secure. Toyota Tundras are great, but I hesitated to tow with my front-wheel-drive Toyota Sequoia because I’ve heard mixed reviews.

Our first tow vehicle "The Beast"

So now it’s your turn, fellow atomic trailer chicks...what will you tow with?

Choose Wisely!

Choosing the right tow vehicle is crucial for a safe and enjoyable vintage trailer experience. Whether you opt for a classic car, a reliable SUV, or a sturdy truck, make sure it meets your towing needs. Remember, safety first!

As always,💫 Happy Atomic Trails!

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website, in videos, social media posts, articles, or any other materials is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not professional, legal, or engineering advice. Renovating, restoring, or modifying vintage trailers—and towing them—can involve risks, including but not limited to structural failure, electrical hazards, fire hazards, and injury. You are solely responsible for determining whether any project, modification, or safety procedure is appropriate for your specific trailer, skill level, and circumstances.

Always consult qualified professionals—such as licensed electricians, plumbers, structural engineers, certified trailer repair specialists, or certified RV inspectors—before undertaking any work on a trailer’s structure, electrical systems, plumbing, or towing setup.

By using the information provided here, you acknowledge and agree that:

• You assume all risk for any injury, loss, or damage that may occur.

• The creators, authors, and publishers of this content are not liable for any damages, injuries, or losses arising from the use or misuse of this information.

• Compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, building codes, road safety regulations, and manufacturer specifications is your responsibility.

If you are not experienced in trailer restoration or repair, seek professional help before attempting any work. Safety should always be your first priority.