Hello

curtland · 03-09-2008, 04:21 PM

I am new to the forum.

I do have some questions. I am able to get 65 MPG on occaisional trips of about 10 miles. I can get 55 mpg on a tank if I am never late to pick up my kids.

I am looking at taking a trip from Portland, OR to IN an back this summer with 2 kids. We need to carry a lot of food because of allergies. I was looking at the Sportsrig trailer, but it seems pricey. A hitch mounted carrier is cheaper, but how would 300lbs behind the bumper affect handling?

Great car, except for the aux battery if a kid leave the door open over night.

Steve

Bill Merchant · 03-10-2008, 02:56 AM

Hi Steve, welcome to PriusChat! You're getting great milage!

I wouldn't put that much weight back there, it will definitely affect handling. Are you sure you can't fit the food inside? You've got 14.4 cubic feet. I can't find it right now, but I recall the total load capacity is around 1000 pounds for you, the kids, and everything else.

If you're in Portland area, check out PortlandHSD.info.

curtland · 03-12-2008, 12:17 AM

Bill,

Thanks for the reply. So a cargo tray is a bad idea in your opinion. What do you think about a trailer of the same weight? I was considering one of those clamshell trailers for behind a motorcycle. Is that bad too?

The car is great, but too small for that long of trip without expanding the cargo. I am not fond of rooftop boxes, they are hard to reach.

Steve

Bill Merchant · 03-13-2008, 05:02 AM

A motorcycle type trailer would probably be OK, better than a hitch mount carrier where all the extra weight is on the car wheels. Do those have electric brake systems?

patsparks · 03-13-2008, 07:11 AM

Be aware the towing capacity of a Prius is 0 pounds.

Bill Merchant · 03-13-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsparks

Be aware the towing capacity of a Prius is 0 pounds.

That's the RATED capacity. Many people have trailers and use them successfully.

03-09-2008, 04:21 PM	#1
curtland Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hello I am new to the forum. I do have some questions. I am able to get 65 MPG on occaisional trips of about 10 miles. I can get 55 mpg on a tank if I am never late to pick up my kids. I am looking at taking a trip from Portland, OR to IN an back this summer with 2 kids. We need to carry a lot of food because of allergies. I was looking at the Sportsrig trailer, but it seems pricey. A hitch mounted carrier is cheaper, but how would 300lbs behind the bumper affect handling? Great car, except for the aux battery if a kid leave the door open over night. Steve

03-10-2008, 02:56 AM	#2
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,949 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 49	Re: Hello Hi Steve, welcome to PriusChat! You're getting great milage! I wouldn't put that much weight back there, it will definitely affect handling. Are you sure you can't fit the food inside? You've got 14.4 cubic feet. I can't find it right now, but I recall the total load capacity is around 1000 pounds for you, the kids, and everything else. If you're in Portland area, check out PortlandHSD.info.

03-12-2008, 12:17 AM	#3
curtland Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Hello Bill, Thanks for the reply. So a cargo tray is a bad idea in your opinion. What do you think about a trailer of the same weight? I was considering one of those clamshell trailers for behind a motorcycle. Is that bad too? The car is great, but too small for that long of trip without expanding the cargo. I am not fond of rooftop boxes, they are hard to reach. Steve

03-13-2008, 05:02 AM	#4
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,949 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 49	Re: Hello A motorcycle type trailer would probably be OK, better than a hitch mount carrier where all the extra weight is on the car wheels. Do those have electric brake systems?

03-13-2008, 07:11 AM	#5
patsparks Uneducated bird-brain Aussie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 4,539 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 13	Re: Hello Be aware the towing capacity of a Prius is 0 pounds.