I once drove from CA to TX with my old college car - a 1992 Honda Accord LX (4cyl-auto). I bought the Class1 Hitch (max 2,000LB) from UHaul for IIRC ~$120-140 installed.

Notes:
* I towed a 4' x 8' trailer b/c that was the smallest trailer they had available. Having just left college, I didn't have much stuff in the trailer other than boxes, a double-sized futon, and wooden futon frame. All in all, the trailer was probably 2/3rds full.

* I don't remember the exact MPG I got driving from CA to TX via Arizona but it was ~20MPG with the A/C cranked and driving 80MPH most of the time. I'm pretty sure I would have gotten ~28-30MPH had I not been towing the trailer.

* I thought it was amusing that the trailer says you should drive a max speed of 45MPH. IIRC, the car+trailer topped out at ~95MPH. In my dumber college days I think I was able to get the Honda Accord to ~128-30MPH.

* I just used a simple combination lock and chain to lock the trailer to the car. After 2000mi, the lock had been beat to crap and had to be cut off the chain in order to release the trailer.

I treated that particular honda like hell but it still drove like a champ and didn't overheat the entire trip. In fact, my dad still uses that car as a grocery getter in TX.

Regards,
-g