auszookers.com :: View topic - Towing a trailer with a Jimny?

I use a 100w solar panel into a tiny 7ah battery.
LED lights and phone charging is all it does.
Modern electrics don't use much amps.

5 x 3.5 is a common size and nearly matches a Zooks track.

No I don't use any 240v. Adds complication and weight, and I don't want either. Keep it simple, more time for fun, less maintenance. Google cube batteries, they come in more amp versions. Mine originally powered an emergency exit light.

i tow a 6x4 garden trailer & a 6x4 camper trailer with my jimny. no issues just doing trips to the dump etc around town, braking, turning etc all perfect. with the camper trailer though you really do get slowed down a lot going up hills or into head winds so i don't totally recommend it, hoping upgrading to a 1.6 litre engine will fix it though.

Hills on dirt roads/bush tracks are no problems because you're usually in a lower gear and going a bit slower anyway.

I've done a bit over 8,000km towing my little trailer with the Jimny and had no dramas so far.
My Jimny is a manual 2012 VVT model and still got stock gearing with 215 tyres. I usually sit on about 95km/h in 4th gear on the highway (just under 4,000rpm) and it will happy do that all day.

Cross winds don't cause me any more problems with the trailer then they do without it.

My trailer in it's first stage only weighed 375kg fully loaded, at that stage the Jimny used an extra 1.5L/100km with the trailer on the back.
The trailer in it's current stage (solid lid with luggage pod on top, electric brakes, 2x100Ah batteries and other extras) weighs ~500kg fully loaded and the Jimny uses about an extra 2L/100km.

Hills on the highway are the only real problem.
After a while you get used to sitting in 3rd gear doing 60km/h up the hills while every other bastard goes flying passed you.
It used to bother me, but I must be getting old, because now I just go into truckie mode and couldn't give a fuck what you think as you pass me like I'm standing still.

Hills on dirt roads/bush tracks are no problems because you're usually in a lower gear and going a bit slower anyway.

Jimny brakes are shit. I have electric brakes on my trailer and it stops a lot better with the trailer on then with out it.
When the trailer was around the 350kg I got away without brakes, but now it is heavier I'm glad I've added brakes.

As for dump runs and things around town;
My trailer is only 1200mm X 1100mm (or 4 X 3.5 in the old scale) and it's more then enough for what I need.

Build thread here if you want more details.

Hills on the highway are the only real problem.
After a while you get used to sitting in 3rd gear doing 60km/h up the hills while every other bastard goes flying passed you.
It used to bother me, but I must be getting old, because now I just go into truckie mode and couldn't give a fuck what you think as you pass me like I'm standing still.

Author:	itsme_guy [ Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:27 pm ]
Post subject:	Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
Hey. So this may be a stupid question but do the jimny's struggle with towing trailers? I have a light trailer 6x4 130KG but wondering if the jimny's get pulled around abit? I am considering buying a 4x3 small trailer and getting rid of the 6x4 but looking for anyone who has any sound advise. I would only be using it for camping so no really heavy loads etc..and think a 6x4 maybe to big for what I intend to carry but then again the 4x3 seem awfully small Thanks

Author:	barrybanks [ Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
I towed a camper trailer a long way in a Jimny, I weighed it when it was fully packed and it max out just under 600 kg. I freaked out when I realised how far over limit I was, so I installed trailer brakes and it made a big difference to the stopping ability. Paying attention to keep the tow ball weight under the limit, it tows really well as far as any underpowered vehicle to begin with. I averaged about 11.5l/100km.

Author:	zukenutter [ Mon Jan 19, 2015 7:55 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
Up to 400kg is reasonably easy, once you go over that it's doable but you and Jimny will be working harder. As BarryBanks said ball weight is important.

Author:	itsme_guy [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:48 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
Thanks for the reply. I was looking at what I want to take camping and decided there is no need for a 6x4, Part of the reason I was considering it was a wanted to put a rooftop tent on the trailer to get me up off the ground.and thought that the trailer would pull the jimny around as the 6x4 I have has a long draw bar. But I have decided to go back to basic and minimise what I take - Tent/Sleeping Bag/Gas Stove/First Aid/Small Pots/Pans/Water/Food etc this can all be put into the jimny's rear and into a 4x5 Trailer with room to spare. I am looking at 4x5 Trailer with a tradesman like top (but smaller) and its water tight so i was think about adding a solar panel 10-20w to trickle charge a 100AH battery for some lights when camping- I only would go away for a day or so the solar panel wouldn't charge the battery but help trickle charge it then I could just use a battery charger when I get home to top it back up. anyway thanks for the info i think the 4x5 would be a lot better on fuel as well

Author:	christover1 [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:58 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
I use a 100w solar panel into a tiny 7ah battery. LED lights and phone charging is all it does. Modern electrics don't use much amps.

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Author:	christover1 [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:59 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
5 x 3.5 is a common size and nearly matches a Zooks track.

Author:	itsme_guy [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 7:28 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
christover1 wrote: I use a 100w solar panel into a tiny 7ah battery. LED lights and phone charging is all it does. Modern electrics don't use much amps. Wow 7AH - Well maybe 100AH is overkill plus they weigh a fair bit. I will be using LED's so there will be hardly and draw.. Do you use an inverter for any 240V items? I have a spare USB 12V Adaptor from my old car (Wires to 12v and steps the voltage down) so there an idea for the phone charger.

Author:	itsme_guy [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 7:32 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
christover1 wrote: 5 x 3.5 is a common size and nearly matches a Zooks track. Yeah i have been going through a few trailer build threads and see its the most common size trailer. also i googled jimny 6x4 trailer and it looked stupid,and not practical I wont be 4wding on rough stuff etc but if I decide to go down a trail it would be better to have something that matches the cars track.

Author:	christover1 [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 7:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
No I don't use any 240v. Adds complication and weight, and I don't want either. Keep it simple, more time for fun, less maintenance. Google cube batteries, they come in more amp versions. Mine originally powered an emergency exit light.

Author:	christover1 [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 8:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=12V ... &sp=-1&sk=

Author:	GraphicX [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 9:18 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
i tow a 6x4 garden trailer & a 6x4 camper trailer with my jimny. no issues just doing trips to the dump etc around town, braking, turning etc all perfect. with the camper trailer though you really do get slowed down a lot going up hills or into head winds so i don't totally recommend it, hoping upgrading to a 1.6 litre engine will fix it though.

Author:	zukenutter [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
Stock gearing is a game changer when towing in a Jimny.

Author:	itsme_guy [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
christover1 wrote: No I don't use any 240v. Adds complication and weight, and I don't want either. Keep it simple, more time for fun, less maintenance. Google cube batteries, they come in more amp versions. Mine originally powered an emergency exit light. Fair Enough. I Used to have a heap of those battery, I actually got 12 100AH Batteries (ex telstra substation backups) and wired my whole garage to run of a 1500w inverter. I have had a dual battery set-up (1x100AH Sealed) before in my RA rodeo but i was running an inverter and heaps of 240V stuff so i would have to agree a 7-10ah would run heaps of 12v gear. anyway still conflicted with the trailer. the one i am looking to buy the guy is so sloow at replying via email and i dont have his number it has NO rego but is a light weight gal and he says no rust! so if he gets back to me i might just grab it anyway. thanks

Author:	itsme_guy [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:44 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
GraphicX wrote: i tow a 6x4 garden trailer & a 6x4 camper trailer with my jimny. no issues just doing trips to the dump etc around town, braking, turning etc all perfect. with the camper trailer though you really do get slowed down a lot going up hills or into head winds so i don't totally recommend it, hoping upgrading to a 1.6 litre engine will fix it though. Hey, Thats why I kind of want to keep the 6x4 for the general everyday use tip runs/moving stuff etc. but then i feels its to big for camping and the jimny.. plus has no lid/tradesman top so its not waterproof (yeah a tarps cheap ) so i am trying to weigh up just adding a marine ply lid paint it and just stick with the 6x4 or get rid of it and go the smaller one.. Hill's yeah that's what i though

Author:	5uzuki [ Wed Jan 21, 2015 7:11 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
I picked up a second hand Erde 153 trailer and it is perfect for the Jimny. Weight is 110kg, wheel tracks match the Jimny tracks. Can put a fibreglass hardtop and roof racks on it. Once I put 2 kayaks ontop of the trailer racks it still all sits in the slip stream behind the jimny. Double swag sits nicely on the "v" draw bars. Perfect for camping. Can pick them up second hand for $500. Fiberglass rooftop + the roof racks will set you back another $500 so best to find a second hand one with these already mounted. Has performed offroad very well.

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Author:	GraphicX [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:48 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
not sure but if you look in atari's build thread you should see the little camper trailer he built, pretty sweet setup & has a ply top using a roof top tent.

Author:	pete_79 [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 4:27 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
I've done a bit over 8,000km towing my little trailer with the Jimny and had no dramas so far. My Jimny is a manual 2012 VVT model and still got stock gearing with 215 tyres. I usually sit on about 95km/h in 4th gear on the highway (just under 4,000rpm) and it will happy do that all day. Cross winds don't cause me any more problems with the trailer then they do without it. My trailer in it's first stage only weighed 375kg fully loaded, at that stage the Jimny used an extra 1.5L/100km with the trailer on the back. The trailer in it's current stage (solid lid with luggage pod on top, electric brakes, 2x100Ah batteries and other extras) weighs ~500kg fully loaded and the Jimny uses about an extra 2L/100km. Hills on the highway are the only real problem. After a while you get used to sitting in 3rd gear doing 60km/h up the hills while every other bastard goes flying passed you. It used to bother me, but I must be getting old, because now I just go into truckie mode and couldn't give a fuck what you think as you pass me like I'm standing still. Hills on dirt roads/bush tracks are no problems because you're usually in a lower gear and going a bit slower anyway. Jimny brakes are shit. I have electric brakes on my trailer and it stops a lot better with the trailer on then with out it. When the trailer was around the 350kg I got away without brakes, but now it is heavier I'm glad I've added brakes. As for dump runs and things around town; My trailer is only 1200mm X 1100mm (or 4 X 3.5 in the old scale) and it's more then enough for what I need. Build thread here if you want more details.

Author:	Buckshot [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 5:54 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
pete_79 wrote: Hills on dirt roads/bush tracks are no problems because you're usually in a lower gear and going a bit slower anyway. Thanks for this line. I'm mulling over whether to get a small camper trailer for my Jimny when finances allow and while everyone mentions highway running you're the first to mention going off road with a trailer which was my final concern.

Author:	itsme_guy [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 5:55 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
pete_79 wrote: I've done a bit over 8,000km towing my little trailer with the Jimny and had no dramas so far. My Jimny is a manual 2012 VVT model and still got stock gearing with 215 tyres. I usually sit on about 95km/h in 4th gear on the highway (just under 4,000rpm) and it will happy do that all day. Cross winds don't cause me any more problems with the trailer then they do without it. My trailer in it's first stage only weighed 375kg fully loaded, at that stage the Jimny used an extra 1.5L/100km with the trailer on the back. The trailer in it's current stage (solid lid with luggage pod on top, electric brakes, 2x100Ah batteries and other extras) weighs ~500kg fully loaded and the Jimny uses about an extra 2L/100km. Hills on the highway are the only real problem. After a while you get used to sitting in 3rd gear doing 60km/h up the hills while every other bastard goes flying passed you. It used to bother me, but I must be getting old, because now I just go into truckie mode and couldn't give a fuck what you think as you pass me like I'm standing still. Hills on dirt roads/bush tracks are no problems because you're usually in a lower gear and going a bit slower anyway. Jimny brakes are shit. I have electric brakes on my trailer and it stops a lot better with the trailer on then with out it. When the trailer was around the 350kg I got away without brakes, but now it is heavier I'm glad I've added brakes. As for dump runs and things around town; My trailer is only 1200mm X 1100mm (or 4 X 3.5 in the old scale) and it's more then enough for what I need. Build thread here if you want more details. Thanks for the info...pete _79 it all started with your build. before I singed up for the site i came across your thread and that's what got me thinking!! Good new is I will be picking up a 4x3 trailer on Saturday. got it for a good price, light weight gal with a small tradesman top all weather sealed, no rego but should be easy enough.. Will have to throw a few pictures up. Dont think i will need brakes as the trailer is very light I would say 100kg max, plus once i add my gear it still would be very light weight. my plan is to paint strip it (pressure clean it) respray or leave as gal? whack a solar panel on it install a controller/battery and usb chargers. I have built 2 trailers before 1 being a boat trailer and was reading through your thread and to be honest there is no way i could get a finial product like yours so that's why i looked to buy one! I really like your set-up! unfortunately I have been looking for a jimny for a few weeks now and 2 have came up but I am waiting for a payout from my last job to fund it. so unfortunately wont be a 2012 more like a 1999 at best. Love the older box look (with the square window) but much prefer the more current interior you will get with a 1995+ I think And I need air-con!

Author:	itsme_guy [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 5:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
pete_79 wrote: Hills on the highway are the only real problem. After a while you get used to sitting in 3rd gear doing 60km/h up the hills while every other bastard goes flying passed you. It used to bother me, but I must be getting old, because now I just go into truckie mode and couldn't give a fuck what you think as you pass me like I'm standing still. I am used to that i drive a tilt tray on the side and head up to Newcastle every now and again with a loaded 20ft container so I know slow!!!

Author:	Breno [ Wed Jan 21, 2015 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
I towed a trailer of dirt to the local tip behind my old Jimny. Went over the weighbridge and shit my pants, had 1200kg behind. Towed fine, wouldn't do it again though lol.

Author:	bullfrogi [ Fri Jan 23, 2015 9:11 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Towing a trailer with a Jimny?
I used to own a little 4x3 box trailer but sold it a few years ago. (Biggest mistake i ever made mind you.) It had kayak racks on it as well and the Jimny towed it without any issue whenever we went camping with it or doing tip runs. Adding 2ft hungry boards to it meant i could carry more then enough gear for camping. As for the overall pulling power I found a picture I took while moving a friend from Tamworth to Toowoomba. I think it was was a 8x6 cage trailer. (Can't remember the exact size.) All i know is i couldn't go any faster than 60ks towing it cause of the wobbles but it pulled it now worries at all the only real problem i had was the fuel economy was shocking towing that thing.