Towing my prius behind my RV

slimwille · 10-26-2007, 10:47 PM

Hi All-
We just purchased our 2008 Pirus. We want to tow it behind our RV when we leave CT in November for a year tour of the US. I was told by one salesperson that he asked the tech's and they said it could be towed front wheels up. Has anyone towed their Prius without any issues? and how did you tow ? Dolly, front wheels up?
There seems to be a discprency in the manual about towing albeit they are not talking about behind an RV but by a tow truck.

It says - definitely no sling type towing. Got it!

Then it shows the car being towed by a truck with the front wheels raised in a dolly "wheel lift type truck" like set up (rear wheels down) and simply says "release the parking brake" next to the picture. Seeming to indicate that if the front wheels are off the ground all is well and it can be towed without danger.

On the very next page in a notice it says "never tow this vehicle with any of its wheels in contact with the ground" - Does that mean only to tow on a flat bed?

Furthermore the notice goes on to say to not tow the vehicle with the power switch off as the steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheel straight. I'm not sure I get this one!

Then in the very next bullet of the notice it says - When raising the vehicle, ensure adaquate ground clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adaquate clearance, the vehicle could be damaged by being towed.

Is this just boiler plate toyotaease?

If any one can shed light on whether they have towed one or if and how it can be towed I would be very grateful.
Thanks in advance
wille

dogfriend · 10-27-2007, 12:11 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wille @ Oct 26 2007, 07:47 PM) [snapback]530986[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hi All-
We just purchased our 2008 Pirus. We want to tow it behind our RV when we leave CT in November for a year tour of the US. I was told by one salesperson that he asked the tech's and they said it could be towed front wheels up. Has anyone towed their Prius without any issues? and how did you tow ? Dolly, front wheels up?
There seems to be a discprency in the manual about towing albeit they are not talking about behind an RV but by a tow truck.

It says - definitely no sling type towing. Got it!

Then it shows the car being towed by a truck with the front wheels raised in a dolly "wheel lift type truck" like set up (rear wheels down) and simply says "release the parking brake" next to the picture. Seeming to indicate that if the front wheels are off the ground all is well and it can be towed without danger.

On the very next page in a notice it says "never tow this vehicle with any of its wheels in contact with the ground" - Does that mean only to tow on a flat bed?

Furthermore the notice goes on to say to not tow the vehicle with the power switch off as the steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheel straight. I'm not sure I get this one!

Then in the very next bullet of the notice it says - When raising the vehicle, ensure adaquate ground clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adaquate clearance, the vehicle could be damaged by being towed.

Is this just boiler plate toyotaease?

If any one can shed light on whether they have towed one or if and how it can be towed I would be very grateful.
Thanks in advance
wille
[/b]

There is a note that the Prius is not designed to be towed as a Dinghy with all four wheels on the road.

[attachmentid=12222]

However, I have seen a Classic Prius (01-03) towed on a dolly with the front wheels on the dolly. I don't see why you couldn't tow it that way.

slimwille · 10-27-2007, 06:47 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dogfriend @ Oct 27 2007, 12:11 AM) [snapback]531024[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

There is a note that the Prius is not designed to be towed as a Dinghy with all four wheels on the road.

[attachmentid=12222]

However, I have seen a Classic Prius (01-03) towed on a dolly with the front wheels on the dolly. I don't see why you couldn't tow it that way.
[/b]

Thanks = Wille

patsparks · 10-27-2007, 08:11 AM

As long as the front wheels are off the ground and the "ignition" (& park brake) is off no problem. Biggest hastle might be the back bumper will be close to the ground.

Ichabod · 10-27-2007, 09:19 AM

You can buy a car trailer, or a car tow dolly (lifts only the front wheels) to safely tow a Prius. The transmisison is always "in gear" which is why you can't tow with front wheels down. As long as the bumper isn't dragging, you're fine. I think the warning about back clearance is more for tow-truck type towing where the front end is lifted significantly higher.

lefat1 · 10-27-2007, 09:34 AM

leave the prius home, come and get me and we'll tow my harleys and get lost in the smokies..lol..
enjoy ur trip

loupitou06 · 10-27-2007, 10:30 AM

Well, front wheels on the floor and car pulled means energy generation, you will basically do regenerative braking while towing...
Not a good idea.

Well there is a simple workaround : pack a light dome tent in your prius, a nice inflatable matress (luxury) and you're all set !

smithBYU85 · 10-27-2007, 01:23 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wille @ Oct 26 2007, 08:47 PM) [snapback]530986[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hi All-
We just purchased our 2008 Pirus. We want to tow it behind our RV when we leave CT in November for a year tour of the US. I was told by one salesperson that he asked the tech's and they said it could be towed front wheels up. Has anyone towed their Prius without any issues? and how did you tow ? Dolly, front wheels up?
There seems to be a discprency in the manual about towing albeit they are not talking about behind an RV but by a tow truck.

It says - definitely no sling type towing. Got it!

Then it shows the car being towed by a truck with the front wheels raised in a dolly "wheel lift type truck" like set up (rear wheels down) and simply says "release the parking brake" next to the picture. Seeming to indicate that if the front wheels are off the ground all is well and it can be towed without danger.

On the very next page in a notice it says "never tow this vehicle with any of its wheels in contact with the ground" - Does that mean only to tow on a flat bed?

Furthermore the notice goes on to say to not tow the vehicle with the power switch off as the steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheel straight. I'm not sure I get this one!

Then in the very next bullet of the notice it says - When raising the vehicle, ensure adaquate ground clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adaquate clearance, the vehicle could be damaged by being towed.

Is this just boiler plate toyotaease?

If any one can shed light on whether they have towed one or if and how it can be towed I would be very grateful.
Thanks in advance
wille
[/b]

One thing I have never understood (and I may never understand), is why someone will spend boatloads of money on and RV, and now in your case a brand new Prius, and NOT put the car on a full trailoe? Why not buy a cheap car trailer or rent one and get the car completely off of the ground? Then you don't have to worry about towing techniques, wear and tear on the car, ruining the drive train, battery, tires, etc... It seems to me that if you can afford an RV and a new Prius, you can probably afford a car trailer, not a simple tow dolly. Maybe I'm wrong...

Save yourself the trouble and get the car off of the ground.

mjms2b · 10-27-2007, 02:12 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(smithBYU @ Oct 27 2007, 10:23 AM) [snapback]531225[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

One thing I have never understood (and I may never understand), is why someone will spend boatloads of money on and RV, and now in your case a brand new Prius, and NOT put the car on a full trailoe? Why not buy a cheap car trailer or rent one and get the car completely off of the ground? Then you don't have to worry about towing techniques, wear and tear on the car, ruining the drive train, battery, tires, etc... It seems to me that if you can afford an RV and a new Prius, you can probably afford a car trailer, not a simple tow dolly. Maybe I'm wrong...

Save yourself the trouble and get the car off of the ground.
[/b]

Hmmmm-yeah, sorry but I tend to agree, less headache too.

morpheusx · 10-27-2007, 02:19 PM

Towing by dolly is a royal pain, I've done twice while moving and it is impossible to go in reverse.

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-modifications/39044-towing-my-prius-behind-my-rv.html
Posted By	For	Type	Date
Does anybody know it a Toyota Prius can be safely towed on all fours behind a RV? (Towing Toyota Prius)	This thread	Refback	05-02-2008 08:06 PM
Does anybody know it a Toyota Prius can be safely towed on all fours behind a RV? (Towing Toyota Prius)	This thread	Refback	03-20-2008 07:14 PM

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10-26-2007, 10:47 PM	#1
slimwille Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi All- We just purchased our 2008 Pirus. We want to tow it behind our RV when we leave CT in November for a year tour of the US. I was told by one salesperson that he asked the tech's and they said it could be towed front wheels up. Has anyone towed their Prius without any issues? and how did you tow ? Dolly, front wheels up? There seems to be a discprency in the manual about towing albeit they are not talking about behind an RV but by a tow truck. It says - definitely no sling type towing. Got it! Then it shows the car being towed by a truck with the front wheels raised in a dolly "wheel lift type truck" like set up (rear wheels down) and simply says "release the parking brake" next to the picture. Seeming to indicate that if the front wheels are off the ground all is well and it can be towed without danger. On the very next page in a notice it says "never tow this vehicle with any of its wheels in contact with the ground" - Does that mean only to tow on a flat bed? Furthermore the notice goes on to say to not tow the vehicle with the power switch off as the steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheel straight. I'm not sure I get this one! Then in the very next bullet of the notice it says - When raising the vehicle, ensure adaquate ground clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adaquate clearance, the vehicle could be damaged by being towed. Is this just boiler plate toyotaease? If any one can shed light on whether they have towed one or if and how it can be towed I would be very grateful. Thanks in advance wille

10-27-2007, 08:11 AM	#4
patsparks Uneducated bird-brain Aussie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 4,905 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 17	As long as the front wheels are off the ground and the "ignition" (& park brake) is off no problem. Biggest hastle might be the back bumper will be close to the ground.

10-27-2007, 09:19 AM	#5
Ichabod Artist In Residence Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 1,774 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	You can buy a car trailer, or a car tow dolly (lifts only the front wheels) to safely tow a Prius. The transmisison is always "in gear" which is why you can't tow with front wheels down. As long as the bumper isn't dragging, you're fine. I think the warning about back clearance is more for tow-truck type towing where the front end is lifted significantly higher.

10-27-2007, 09:34 AM	#6
lefat1 Fat Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sunny S. Florida Posts: 1,123 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	leave the prius home, come and get me and we'll tow my harleys and get lost in the smokies..lol.. enjoy ur trip

10-27-2007, 10:30 AM	#7
loupitou06 Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Well, front wheels on the floor and car pulled means energy generation, you will basically do regenerative braking while towing... Not a good idea. Well there is a simple workaround : pack a light dome tent in your prius, a nice inflatable matress (luxury) and you're all set !

10-27-2007, 02:19 PM	#10
morpheusx Professor Chaos Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 1,222 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Towing by dolly is a royal pain, I've done twice while moving and it is impossible to go in reverse.