1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius pulling an RV? What do you pull !!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by engerysaver, Jun 16, 2013.

  1. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    631
    208
    0
    Location:
    LA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Yes I final did a tow with my C!

    Est 1100lbs aluminum trailer and PWC.

    Climbed to 2700 feet elevation.

    I used a Eco Hitch from Torklift which was the highest quality hitch for the C. Really well built here in the USA with the best fit and finish!

    Curt PIP Prius V wiring harness which I re soldering the wiring to be correct to work with the C. The plugs are the same from the V but not the liftback.

    Firestone Ride-Rite airbags which really made thing safe and smooth.

    I monitored 4 vital perimeters with the SG

    HV Batter temps went to 108f then dropped quickly to 92.4f which was perfect! I used the center of the pack for temps.

    MG1 temps went to 228f for a moment only when I let up on the throttle they climbed then started to come down suddenly? For the most part they were around 202-215f

    Inverter temps were 88f

    Engine temps were 194f

    The temps all looked normal?

    Makes me wounder how much more she can take?
     

    Attached Files:

    #201 priusCpilot, Oct 20, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2014
    usnavystgc likes this.
  2. hbbikeguy

    hbbikeguy Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2014
    4
    7
    0
    Location:
    Huntington Beach California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    One
    I have been driving my 2010 for 1 year now. Do this once a month (sale at a swap meet). I also tow a harbor freight 4x8 trailer 2 times a week.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
    1prius, sewspclprius and engerysaver like this.
  3. hbbikeguy

    hbbikeguy Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2014
    4
    7
    0
    Location:
    Huntington Beach California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    One
    33-35 mpg with this set up on freeway. Btw
     
    sewspclprius likes this.
  4. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2011
    426
    130
    0
    Location:
    Tyler, Texas ; USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Sounds GREAT !!!:cool:
    What was your total weight of trailer and load along with your total weight in your Prius C ?:)
     
  5. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    631
    208
    0
    Location:
    LA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Oh well that would be 1100 est lbs + 350lbs est so 1450lbs est? I also counting me and a passenger.
     
  6. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2011
    426
    130
    0
    Location:
    Tyler, Texas ; USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    1450 LBS total(y) ..... With your MG1 at 228;:cool: your OK, max for MG1 is 323; max for MG2 is 334.

    I think the key is not to go over 2,000 LBS on the total weight of all persons, trailer, and all cargo;
    to really be safe, for the mountains.:)

    Saying that; I believe that the Prius C can tow 1500 LBS, but not sure for the mountains?

    Keep us posted on your results.
     
  7. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2011
    426
    130
    0
    Location:
    Tyler, Texas ; USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I just got back from a little trip towing my 1900 LBS RV, with about 550 LBS of weight inside the Prius; here in the rolling hills of east Texas. :cool:

    The Prius can tow!!(y) But I would be the first to say that I'm over doing it, with total weight of 2450 LBS.
    My record total weight is 2700 LBS.
    I would NOT try my set-up in the mountains.:(

    If my trailer (RV) was more aerodynamic and about 300 to 400 LBs lighter, and my total weight inside of Prius is about 500 LBs or less; I might try the mountains?;)

     
    sewspclprius likes this.
  8. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    631
    208
    0
    Location:
    LA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Lol yea the Prius has limits but for sure I agree with the 2000lbs total weight.

    I just did a 1575lbs est pull back to the lake up the mountain again.

    No issues and temps were still great!

    This C doesn't even break a sweat!

    I must say that Injen intake does help!
     
  9. Kevin06prius

    Kevin06prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2014
    45
    6
    0
    Location:
    Westchester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I'm installing a hitch on my 2006 prius with 150k this week. I will tow a utility trailer occasionally and a 18' bowrider @ ~ 1900LBS total once or twice before I sell it. I have a 24' poontoon boat that weighs ~ 2500 with gear not including the trailer. Any thoughts on towing this with a weight distribution hitch setup?

    Read more: Prius towing travel trailer | PriusChat
    Follow us: @PriusChat on Twitter | PriusChat on Facebook
     
  10. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    631
    208
    0
    Location:
    LA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    When you get into the high weight like 2500lbs your going to be past the hitch limit. The mounting points can be compromised.
     
  11. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2011
    426
    130
    0
    Location:
    Tyler, Texas ; USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two

    :eek:That sounds like TOO much weight to pull?
    The Prius can tow easily 1500 LBS.:cool:
    You might be able to pull more, depending on how much weight you have inside your Prius.
    If you are using a class 1 hitch, 2000 LBS is the limit; I would not push it over 2100 LBS towing.:)
     
    sewspclprius and Kevin06prius like this.
  12. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2010
    3,524
    981
    8
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You're joking, right?
     
  13. Kevin06prius

    Kevin06prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2014
    45
    6
    0
    Location:
    Westchester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I will pull the 24' boat with my friends pick-up then. Apart from that I have no need to tow more than 1000lbs apart for the one time I will tow the 1900lb boat.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,679
    48,930
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i suppose it's different in your in mountainous territory as well.
     
  15. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    631
    208
    0
    Location:
    LA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Make sure you post a picture of your boat!
     
    Kevin06prius likes this.
  16. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,673
    6,490
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I think about threads like this every time I consider buying a used car.....
     
    sewspclprius likes this.
  17. Kevin06prius

    Kevin06prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2014
    45
    6
    0
    Location:
    Westchester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I will
     
  18. tplife

    tplife Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2013
    85
    24
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The C's and V's lower weight capacity were the main reasons I wanted to avoid them, along with MPG-robbing roof racks.
     
  19. Kevin06prius

    Kevin06prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2014
    45
    6
    0
    Location:
    Westchester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I towed it home and it handle fine even at 85 mph. I ended up doing a quick wiring job myself while the dealer ran to get the title notorized. It turns out the 4 pin doesn't work with the prius because the break lights are separate from the turn signals. So I had turn signals, and running lights but no break lights. I drove about 6 hours with no problems except the battery would run a little low climing up the mountains but I reduce my speed on those parts. I have pictures which I will try and load.
     
  20. tplife

    tplife Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2013
    85
    24
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I'm using the Curt 16547 T-Connector harness. It provides all the DOT-mandated lighting requirements including brake lights for the vehicle like any standard 4-pin connector. It's plug-n-play simplicity.