I wonder if anybody of you hooked up a tent trailer [pop up style] behind your Pat.How did you do?I don't have the tow group equipment but I don't think I would really need the oil cooler unless I was towing in middle of summer on steep hills of Arizona.
camp trailer
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Most can feel the trailer, however no real negative effects. Reading several other posts the engine can heat up a bit more. Adding the engine oil cooler may be a useful addon for you as it effectively doubles your capacity. As it uses your existing air conditioning radiator the cost to add it may not be that much in your case.
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Nice picture! I wouldn't tow too much with the Pat. What do one of those pop-ups weigh?
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I towed a pop-up trailer with our 1970 Plymouth Valiant 4 door with the 302 V8. I think the trailer weighed in the range of 700-1,000 pounds, but I can't remember. For the life of me, I can't remember what the specs for the Valiant were, but I think they were probably in the same ballpark as the Patriot. You need to have the complete trailer towing package including the oil cooler and be prepared for a hit on your gas mileage. Other than that, the trailer towed beautifully and we and our children had lots of fun with it.
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*****Thunder Cabin******
I was gonna create my own thread on this topic, but you did it for me!
The 2.4L Patriot can easily tow a 6x12x6 box trailer weighing about 1700lbs without a trans cooler. This is my camper. I tested it out this week on my fisrt (snow) camping trip since I baught my Patriot.
Several years ago, I got it in my head that I could have a roomy lightweight camper that can be towed by my puny old 120hp Suzuki Sidekick. I found a new 6x12 box trailer with a latch side door and a ramp rear door. It only cost $2800! It was essentially a big empty box. I then modified it, heavily- to be a camper. I started out by putting a futon in it, then I mounted a 12V 5W solar panel up top. The panel charges a single car battery, stored in a battery box under the trash can. The battery powers a huge virety of electronics stationed throughout the trailer: fan, lights, cd player, tv, and extra outlets for carging cell phones or using the 12V vaccume. I also wired a 120V system that powers an electric heater and burner if electric hookups are available. Otherwise, its propane and solar!
I also have a cooler, camper's toilet, galley and suspended water tank over a drain and basin. This year's latest improvements included insulating the floor and the roof. It still wieghts less then 2000 lbs. I can even pick up the tongue with my hands (Cause I workout). In the past two years I've taken it camping in many harsh weather conditions: 100 degree weather, 20 degree weather and heavy snow or heavy rain. Superior to a tent in every way.... that includes pop up trailer tents! Those things have to unhooked and deployed before you can climb inside. My "Thunder Cabin" is ready to go anytime anywhere. On the outside, it still looks like it's made to haul lawn mowers, but on the inside, heh, it's my ultralight bachelor pad.
So I tugged it to Cowen Lake in Ohio for a little snow campin earlier this week. The Patriot tows it a million times better than my old Sidekick. I'm talking 60mph uphill against the wind on country backroads. My Sidekick would've blown a gasket and caught on fire if it tried that with her. I don't have the trans cooler installed but will probably get it by summer to be safe.
I'll try to put up some pics of Thunder Cabin if anyone's interested.
I was gonna create my own thread on this topic, but you did it for me!
The 2.4L Patriot can easily tow a 6x12x6 box trailer weighing about 1700lbs without a trans cooler. This is my camper. I tested it out this week on my fisrt (snow) camping trip since I baught my Patriot.
Several years ago, I got it in my head that I could have a roomy lightweight camper that can be towed by my puny old 120hp Suzuki Sidekick. I found a new 6x12 box trailer with a latch side door and a ramp rear door. It only cost $2800! It was essentially a big empty box. I then modified it, heavily- to be a camper. I started out by putting a futon in it, then I mounted a 12V 5W solar panel up top. The panel charges a single car battery, stored in a battery box under the trash can. The battery powers a huge virety of electronics stationed throughout the trailer: fan, lights, cd player, tv, and extra outlets for carging cell phones or using the 12V vaccume. I also wired a 120V system that powers an electric heater and burner if electric hookups are available. Otherwise, its propane and solar!
I also have a cooler, camper's toilet, galley and suspended water tank over a drain and basin. This year's latest improvements included insulating the floor and the roof. It still wieghts less then 2000 lbs. I can even pick up the tongue with my hands (Cause I workout). In the past two years I've taken it camping in many harsh weather conditions: 100 degree weather, 20 degree weather and heavy snow or heavy rain. Superior to a tent in every way.... that includes pop up trailer tents! Those things have to unhooked and deployed before you can climb inside. My "Thunder Cabin" is ready to go anytime anywhere. On the outside, it still looks like it's made to haul lawn mowers, but on the inside, heh, it's my ultralight bachelor pad.
So I tugged it to Cowen Lake in Ohio for a little snow campin earlier this week. The Patriot tows it a million times better than my old Sidekick. I'm talking 60mph uphill against the wind on country backroads. My Sidekick would've blown a gasket and caught on fire if it tried that with her. I don't have the trans cooler installed but will probably get it by summer to be safe.
I'll try to put up some pics of Thunder Cabin if anyone's interested.
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I want pics of that camper... sounds wicked cool.
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That sounds amazing. I have a buddy that has been talking about doing the same thing. I would love to show him pictures of yours to inspire him.
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I went to fleetwood to check the weight here's a link.... This is only one brand of trailer so this only reflects Fleetwood pop up trailers....... This may help in making that decision on if the patriot will tow http://www.fleetwoodcampingtrailers.com/ourtrailers.aspx
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Those are my best pics. Enjoy! Counting the days till my next trip.
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Indeed,,very cool pics...however with all the convienances you got in this trailer, and the manicured lawns your parked on, i have to wonder if you can call it camping..IM JUST KIDDING..THATS MY STYLE TOO!!I've been thinking about getting a tent trailer as well. There's only 2 of us, so the weight should be pretty low.
So that cool trailer is below 2000 lbs.....does that include the weight of the ice and beer?
Once again...very nice setup you got
So that cool trailer is below 2000 lbs.....does that include the weight of the ice and beer?
Once again...very nice setup you got
Clever........
I always wondered if I could be done and well yes it definately can be done.
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most Valiants had a slant six,brother in law had a dodge with the slant six and towed a tent trailer all over the western states with no problem,the patriot has a lot more power.
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My Dad's Dodge Dart, 318, automatic, pulled a couple of tent trailers, and even a 16 foot holiday trailer with no problems. Dad put on heavy duty shocks, trans cooler,and wired up trailer brakes. I believe he also used a low temp thermostat.
Don't recall when the myth began that you had to pull trailers with big trucks. When I was young, lots of people pulled their trailers with the family car.
Don't recall when the myth began that you had to pull trailers with big trucks. When I was young, lots of people pulled their trailers with the family car.
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Man o man..the slant 6 engine.
My dad gave me his 1984 Dodge Aspen Sedan...I drove it for years..sold it to a friend of mine,,then he sold it to another friend of mine.
The body gave out on the car before the engine...It had 350K kilometers before they trashed it.
Mind you, that was before car owners had to do exhaust inspections, tho it was not visually buring oil..no blue smoke...
My dad gave me his 1984 Dodge Aspen Sedan...I drove it for years..sold it to a friend of mine,,then he sold it to another friend of mine.
The body gave out on the car before the engine...It had 350K kilometers before they trashed it.
Mind you, that was before car owners had to do exhaust inspections, tho it was not visually buring oil..no blue smoke...
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