Here’s our 2000lb Triumph TR6 on a 2000lb dual axle trailer being towed by a four cylinder Mazda B2300 with a manual transmission. When we moved from Austin TX to Tampa FL we were faced with some tough choices for schlepping our junk cross country. Our truck is rated at 1800 pounds towing capacity but we’ve seen many European caravans being towed by puny economy cars, so we decided to give this a shot.
The trick is momentum, slipping the clutch as little as possible and never going faster than 55 mph. Only do this with a trailer that has electric brakes or you’ll probably regret it. Also, don’t stop on hills or you’ll never get moving again, unless going backwards is your goal. We towed this rig with no issues at all. The bed was filled with household items and the car had some boxes of parts in it too. The pickup bed cap is also a 100 lb item. Install Timbren springs and a proper tow hitch – if you try this with the ball mounted hitch on your bumper you’ll probably regret that.
Turns out that the Mazda B2300 / Ford Ranger is pretty stout. Ours has 150k miles on it and still drives like new, aside from the typical squeaking suspension bushings. https://imgur.com/gallery/CQlJDm9
They are indeed stout little beasts. I had a couple and did a little towing. One of them pulled my dad’s ~3500lb jet boat/trailer combo up the launch ramp, no problem.
Another I sold with about 175,000 miles and it still did not burn any oil.
They were a little rough around the edges, but they paid it back with durability in spades. I still miss a little bit having one around.
No issues at all, when you can’t handle hills? What you did is blatantly illegal and a danger to everybody else on the road.
The weight distribution on those European trailers is different, they have less tongue weight. This makes the load easier to pull with smaller vehicles but also less stable so they also have lower speed limits for towing.
I towed a tandem axle salvage trailer with a 55 Austin Westminter on it the engine gearbox was on the ute bed with a B2000 Mazda about 2 1/2 tons ok it didnt like it much but it did the job uphill was very slow and keeping speed down going downhill difficult, I have no doubt that Mazda B2200 would tow that caravan especially if it was the turbo diesel model.
I think the real danger here is not overcoming inertia so much as stopping it. When the owner of this rig earns a well deserved Darwin Award I hope he or she doesnt wrap up an innocent bystander or two.
There might be areas of the country where a person could get away with pulling a setup like this. Unfortunately, even with a good braking system, you couldn’t do it where I live. I used to pull a small 15’ tri hull with my 04 4cylinder Xterra. I was fine pulling it at speeds at 60 or less, but when everyone in your area drives at an average of 15 over the limit, I would make quite a few enemies between my house and the boat ramp!
I have to be honest. This Mazda, wasn’t actually hooked up to the trailer when I took the photos. It’s very possible the owner of the trailer owns a bigger pickup. I walk by this place often and have seen the little Mazda many times before. It’s parked in front of a house that has an old Willys jeep in the driveway. It’s very possible the owner of this trailer doesn’t actually move it with this little Mazda. The owner is likely a gearhead like the rest of us, with an assortment of old vehicles at his or her disposal.
Mazda B2000HD
Or maybe a B3500?
If it’s being towed by that truck, I think that makes the trailer a Prayerstream? 🙂
I think the photo angle makes the trailer look longer than it actually is. It’s probably about a foot shorter than it looks. 🙂
Here’s our 2000lb Triumph TR6 on a 2000lb dual axle trailer being towed by a four cylinder Mazda B2300 with a manual transmission. When we moved from Austin TX to Tampa FL we were faced with some tough choices for schlepping our junk cross country. Our truck is rated at 1800 pounds towing capacity but we’ve seen many European caravans being towed by puny economy cars, so we decided to give this a shot.
The trick is momentum, slipping the clutch as little as possible and never going faster than 55 mph. Only do this with a trailer that has electric brakes or you’ll probably regret it. Also, don’t stop on hills or you’ll never get moving again, unless going backwards is your goal. We towed this rig with no issues at all. The bed was filled with household items and the car had some boxes of parts in it too. The pickup bed cap is also a 100 lb item. Install Timbren springs and a proper tow hitch – if you try this with the ball mounted hitch on your bumper you’ll probably regret that.
Turns out that the Mazda B2300 / Ford Ranger is pretty stout. Ours has 150k miles on it and still drives like new, aside from the typical squeaking suspension bushings.
https://imgur.com/gallery/CQlJDm9
Hmm, photo didn’t make it. Try again?
They are indeed stout little beasts. I had a couple and did a little towing. One of them pulled my dad’s ~3500lb jet boat/trailer combo up the launch ramp, no problem.
Another I sold with about 175,000 miles and it still did not burn any oil.
They were a little rough around the edges, but they paid it back with durability in spades. I still miss a little bit having one around.
No issues at all, when you can’t handle hills? What you did is blatantly illegal and a danger to everybody else on the road.
The weight distribution on those European trailers is different, they have less tongue weight. This makes the load easier to pull with smaller vehicles but also less stable so they also have lower speed limits for towing.
I towed a tandem axle salvage trailer with a 55 Austin Westminter on it the engine gearbox was on the ute bed with a B2000 Mazda about 2 1/2 tons ok it didnt like it much but it did the job uphill was very slow and keeping speed down going downhill difficult, I have no doubt that Mazda B2200 would tow that caravan especially if it was the turbo diesel model.
I think the real danger here is not overcoming inertia so much as stopping it. When the owner of this rig earns a well deserved Darwin Award I hope he or she doesnt wrap up an innocent bystander or two.
There’s a time and a place for a lowered pickup and that ain’t it.
Actually, there is no time or place for a lowered pickup.
Or a raised up car.
Those are dumb things.
Glad to add to the rational debate.
Don’t applaud, just throw money.
There might be areas of the country where a person could get away with pulling a setup like this. Unfortunately, even with a good braking system, you couldn’t do it where I live. I used to pull a small 15’ tri hull with my 04 4cylinder Xterra. I was fine pulling it at speeds at 60 or less, but when everyone in your area drives at an average of 15 over the limit, I would make quite a few enemies between my house and the boat ramp!
I have to be honest. This Mazda, wasn’t actually hooked up to the trailer when I took the photos. It’s very possible the owner of the trailer owns a bigger pickup. I walk by this place often and have seen the little Mazda many times before. It’s parked in front of a house that has an old Willys jeep in the driveway. It’s very possible the owner of this trailer doesn’t actually move it with this little Mazda. The owner is likely a gearhead like the rest of us, with an assortment of old vehicles at his or her disposal.
I noticed that right away; the block holding up the jack stand is visible. But it looks deceiving 🙂