Prius towing capacity?

[joerc211v]

I am thinking about buying a Prius but I need to know if it would be possible to two a motorcycle (occasionally)?
My bike weighs about 550 maybe 600 tops and I would be using a really light weight trailer so all in all should be no more then 800 to 900 lbs. Would a Prius be able to handle this? I could not find any info on Toyota's web site in reference to this.
Thanks
Joe

[qbee42]

Toyota's answer is no towing. The Prius is not designed to tow anything. That said, some people have installed hitches to carry bicycles and tow very light trailers.

Anyone else want to chime in with specific towing information?

Tom

[snowdog650]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(joerc211v @ Nov 14 2007, 12:13 PM) [snapback]539597[/snapback]</div>

I am thinking about buying a Prius but I need to know if it would be possible to two a motorcycle (occasionally)?
My bike weighs about 550 maybe 600 tops and I would be using a really light weight trailer so all in all should be no more then 800 to 900 lbs. Would a Prius be able to handle this? I could not find any info on Toyota's web site in reference to this.
Thanks
Joe
[/b]

Toyota would tell you that you can't tow anything with a Prius, and many folks on here would probably tell you the same.

I'm sure that the car can handle 1000 pounds without a real problem ... especially if you have no passengers. But I wouldn't do it. The car wasn't made for that type of duty.

Besides ... as a fellow biker, I have to ask -- why are you towing bikes, anwyay?

Live to ride, man ... ride to your destination, iron butt!

[joerc211v]

I know I know but its for my non street legal track bike (2003 CBR600RR) I also have a FZ1 set up for mountain trips. I live in Florida and the roads suck!


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(snowdog650 @ Nov 14 2007, 04:09 PM) [snapback]539640[/snapback]</div>

Toyota would tell you that you can't tow anything with a Prius, and many folks on here would probably tell you the same.

I'm sure that the car can handle 1000 pounds without a real problem ... especially if you have no passengers. But I wouldn't do it. The car wasn't made for that type of duty.

Besides ... as a fellow biker, I have to ask -- why are you towing bikes, anwyay?

Live to ride, man ... ride to your destination, iron butt!
[/b]

[darelldd]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(joerc211v @ Nov 14 2007, 01:13 PM) [snapback]539597[/snapback]</div>

I am thinking about buying a Prius but I need to know if it would be possible to two a motorcycle (occasionally)?
My bike weighs about 550 maybe 600 tops and I would be using a really light weight trailer so all in all should be no more then 800 to 900 lbs. Would a Prius be able to handle this? I could not find any info on Toyota's web site in reference to this.
Thanks
Joe
[/b]

Joe -

We've been through this countless times. Search around on these forums a bit and you'll find a wealth of info.

Here's how it'll go:
1. Toyota days don't do it, so don't do it. Get a truck if you want to tow.
2. I've done it, no problem.
3. You'll void your warranty as soon as you THINK about ordering a hitch.
4. I've towed 2,000 pounds of trailer thousands of miles and have no issues.

Youi'll find that those who haven't towed will typically tell you not to do it. And that's the safe answer, obviously. You also shouldn't ever exceed the speed limit. Those who HAVE towed (howdy) will likely tell you that light loads are no problem if you know what you are doing.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(snowdog650 @ Nov 14 2007, 02:09 PM) [snapback]539640[/snapback]</div>

Besides ... as a fellow biker, I have to ask -- why are you towing bikes, anwyay?

Live to ride, man ... ride to your destination, iron butt!
[/b]

Hmmm. One would be compelled to ask why you own a car!

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Nov 14 2007, 05:13 PM) [snapback]539642[/snapback]</div>

Hmmm. One would be compelled to ask why you own a car!
[/b]

He tows it behind his bicycle to get a better workout.

Tom

[snowdog650]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Nov 14 2007, 01:13 PM) [snapback]539642[/snapback]</div>

Hmmm. One would be compelled to ask why you own a car![/b]

Tough to fit a child seat on the back of a BMW GS1200, hero.

[David Beale]

Well, Toyota does not say "no" to towing, they say "not recommended". That is NOT a "no". It will not void your warranty, as it does not say it will in any Toyota produced literature (at least that I have seen). The car weights about 3000 lb, so you are limited to about 1500 lb max, trailer and load, in most jurisdictions, to be legal. Unless you add electric brakes.

If you want to add a hitch, I'd recommend having a specialist shop build you one. I think it was darylldd who reinforced one of the "available" hitches to make it reasonably strong. To see pics of it click on his website listed at the bottom of his message above (Daryl, you neglected to mention that - I'm surprised ).

From my experience with other cars of similar size and weight and from reading other's experiences with the Prius, I don't see why there would be a big problem, as long as you don't get silly re speed and load.

[NoMoShocks]

So it is simple then.
1. Don't order the hitch directly from Toyota.
2. Make sure it is a bolt on style that is easy to install.
3. Remove the hitch and any traces of wiring harness when you take the car in for warrantee work.
4. Enjoy!

[Devil's Advocate]

The short answer, Yes.

Heaviest load towed. 1,750 pounds.

trailer - 550lbs
Triumph daytona 675 - 400lbs
Kawasaki zx6r - 400lbs
Honda RC 51 - 400lbs

Las Vegas to Los Angelses and back - average mpg 26-29 mpg
top speed 55. (first time that has happended on a trip to Vegas!

(Also night time, low temp, about 70)