Towing with a Prius

FJRCRAZED · 04-20-2006, 11:52 AM

I know the manual said the car it not for towing but I was wondering if anyone has put a Class one reciever on. I found 4 manufactures that make then for the Prius. Were not talking alot of weight, 3 kayaks and an alum kayak trailer. Maybe 300lbs total.

**efusco** · 04-20-2006, 11:57 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FJRCRAZED @ Apr 20 2006, 10:52 AM) [snapback]242617[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I know the manual said the car it not for towing but I was wondering if anyone has put a Class one reciever on. I found 4 manufactures that make then for the Prius. Were not talking alot of weight, 3 kayaks and an alum kayak trailer. Maybe 300lbs total. [/b]

The concern seems to be with the ability of the transaxle to tolerate that additional capacity. But several folks have towed very small trailers with 1G and 2G Prii without any reports of problems. I would be very cautious and 300 lbs seems to be pushing the limits unless you have absolutely no cargo inside the vehicle. But that's just speculation. I wouldn't do it with my car but that's mostly b/c I don't know enough about the physics of towing or the Prius to know the limits and what would be safe....and I don't wanna find out the hard way!

FJRCRAZED · 04-20-2006, 11:59 AM

Thats what I thought, guess I leave th towing up to the Tundra

imatruebrit · 04-20-2006, 12:30 PM

We put a hitch on our Prius so we can tow our small utility trailer .. I talked to one dealer who had two customers who put hitches on their vehicles to tow less than 1,000 pounds .. that's what we'd do .. we only use the utility trailer for lightweight bulky items ...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FJRCRAZED @ Apr 20 2006, 08:52 AM) [snapback]242617[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I know the manual said the car it not for towing but I was wondering if anyone has put a Class one reciever on. I found 4 manufactures that make then for the Prius. Were not talking alot of weight, 3 kayaks and an alum kayak trailer. Maybe 300lbs total.
[/b]

FJRCRAZED · 04-20-2006, 12:39 PM

Jennifer: Who is the manufacture of your hitch?

Thanks

Emma · 04-20-2006, 12:43 PM

Eventually (probably soon), I will be putting a hitch on my Prius, but for the sole purpose of getting a hitch-style bike rack.

eyeguy13 · 04-20-2006, 03:13 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FJRCRAZED @ Apr 20 2006, 11:39 AM) [snapback]242636[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Jennifer: Who is the manufacture of your hitch?

Thanks
[/b]

Coastal can help you out. Here is their web address:

http://www.coastaletech.com/04prius.htm

I ordered the 2" hitch to give me more options with my bike rack (the 2" will accomodate a rack that can hold 3-4 bikes and the 1 1/4" will accomodate a rack that can hold 1-2 bikes.) I'm going to use my hitch for my bike rack only. No towing.

jbarnhart · 04-20-2006, 05:52 PM

I got a class I hitch installed at U-Haul for about $165 incl. tax. It turns out it's the Curt hitch and it is a very nice design. It even includes safety chain loops. Check it out.

bike2work · 04-20-2006, 06:27 PM

Jbarnhart,

Do you tow a trailer with your Prius? Thanks for the info on the U-haul hitch. That was the one I was planning on buying to tow my trailer.

jbarnhart · 04-20-2006, 08:42 PM

I don't intend to tow a trailer, but I want a bike rack for it. I'd like one that holds the bikes by the wheels (at the bottom) instead of hanging by the top tube. My bikes are cruisers and other models with no top tube or a weird top tube. I know they make a gadget that connects the handlebars to the seat post to create a mounting point, but I don't trust that setup.

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04-20-2006, 11:52 AM	#1
FJRCRAZED Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: S.E PA Posts: 100 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I know the manual said the car it not for towing but I was wondering if anyone has put a Class one reciever on. I found 4 manufactures that make then for the Prius. Were not talking alot of weight, 3 kayaks and an alum kayak trailer. Maybe 300lbs total.

04-20-2006, 11:59 AM	#3
FJRCRAZED Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: S.E PA Posts: 100 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thats what I thought, guess I leave th towing up to the Tundra

04-20-2006, 12:39 PM	#5
FJRCRAZED Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: S.E PA Posts: 100 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Jennifer: Who is the manufacture of your hitch? Thanks

04-20-2006, 12:43 PM	#6
Emma Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lake Erie Region - USA Posts: 122 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Eventually (probably soon), I will be putting a hitch on my Prius, but for the sole purpose of getting a hitch-style bike rack.

04-20-2006, 05:52 PM	#8
jbarnhart Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 628 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	I got a class I hitch installed at U-Haul for about $165 incl. tax. It turns out it's the Curt hitch and it is a very nice design. It even includes safety chain loops. Check it out.

04-20-2006, 06:27 PM	#9
bike2work Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Jbarnhart, Do you tow a trailer with your Prius? Thanks for the info on the U-haul hitch. That was the one I was planning on buying to tow my trailer.

04-20-2006, 08:42 PM	#10
jbarnhart Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 628 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	I don't intend to tow a trailer, but I want a bike rack for it. I'd like one that holds the bikes by the wheels (at the bottom) instead of hanging by the top tube. My bikes are cruisers and other models with no top tube or a weird top tube. I know they make a gadget that connects the handlebars to the seat post to create a mounting point, but I don't trust that setup.