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Prius pulling an RV? What do you pull !!

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

  1. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    yes, you "can" but the car is not going to last long and i'm not even talking about safety here.

    yes he gave you a ticket for a wrong thing, but yes, he was right, prius is approved for ZERO towing.
     
  2. ETC(SS)

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

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    I don't know if I would have stopped you for towing a garden trailer with a G3, and I concur that you can probably regularly tow light loads with a Prius - IF you know what you're doing. I wasn't there, but usually when an equipment ticket is issued for a marginal item like crossed chains there's at least one jerk in the transaction.
    There are jerks on both sides of the badge these days.

    Two quick points:
    1. Power mode----isn't, or I should say doesn't.
    2. 220,000 miles is about the design lifespan of the CVT, although members in this forum advocate regular fluid replacements that might have given you a longer service life-----something you can research in this forum.

    I don't like seeing Priuses pulling heavy items, because Darwinism is not very clean or efficient, and many people that beat their chest and say "My Prius can PULL that!!!" aren't interested in trivial things like stopping and turning, and I have to drive on public roads too!

    To be fair, the OP does seem to know about trailer brakes and load leveling, but it's important to understand that the Prius was designed with about a 800 pound cargo rating (pax included) and while it's certainly a well engineered car it is rated to to exactly ZERO pounds.

    YMMV!
     
  3. Robin McGee

    Robin McGee New Member

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    Energysaver, are you still pulling with the Hidden Hitch 60263? Since that is a Class 1 with small receiver, have you been monitoring it and where it mounts to your body for signs of distortion? Do you sense any issues with not using a WD system? After much research, I am going to try just airbags with no WD for towing the Alto, but I am still a bit nervous about this since the trailer manufacturer and all dealers recommend WD. I am getting the Torklift Ecohitch, but having it customized with 5" of extra 2" receiver tube pointing foreword. I will be mounting a custom torque arm to this to reach ahead and bolt to the factory central jacking post. This will deal with the bending moments that would stress the otherwise narrow mounting of a Prius hitch receiver. Torklift has warned me that they have had incidents of Prius drivers towing large loads with their hitch, and having their car bodies torn by the hitch. I asked them for more info, but I don't think they will provide it. Once I have my installation complete I will post pictures. By the way, the Torklift receiver for Prius V is almost identical to their standard Prius model, but for the V they are able to add two extra straps that allow them to rate it Class 2.

     
  4. Robin McGee

    Robin McGee New Member

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    For anyone towing with their Prius, or any other small car, here is a great site I just found to help you choose the best route based on minimizing slopes: flattestroute ( sorry, I would post the whole link but Prischat won't let me?!). Free and easy to use, it provides not only the best route choice, but also easy to understand presentations of the grades you will encounter along the way. If we are going to push the envelope, we should at least do it with eyes wide open and a good plan!
     
    MidnightSun likes this.
  5. Robin McGee

    Robin McGee New Member

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    Now that I have the minimum number of posts, I can provide the actual link:

    Flattest Route

     
    bisco likes this.
  6. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    My RV does have electric brakes.:cool:
    On windy days, my RV does sway:(; I just press on the brakes to straighten it out, and/or slow down.:)
    I do not have any anti-sway device, but it is a very good item to have!!;)
     
  7. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    I,m trying to upload some pictures.
     
    #287 engerysaver, Jan 26, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2016
  8. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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  9. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    Wow torn body huh? They must have pulled well over the 2000lbs limit given then?
     
  10. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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  11. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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  12. FroggyTaco

    FroggyTaco Member

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    Good to know, but those are fairly heavy trailers empty for a prius.
     
  13. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    About 1850 LBS.;)
     
  14. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    The Prius runs high RPM when towing!! Its not realy loud.:)
    The inverter is wired direct to the 12 volt battery. It can run allmost everything:cool:, but the A/C.:(
    Pulling a JET SKI; ..... GO for it!!(y)
     
  15. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    On 2-8 2016; I changed the transmission fluid, with 86,000 miles on my Prius; using 4 quarts of Toyota # 00289-ATFWS fluid.
    After putting the Prius on ramps and stands; and making it level; I started to take the bottom cover off; with the cover off, I started to work on the top plug.
    The top plug was very tight;:eek: The 10mm hex socket was missing-up the plug.:mad: I had to hit it with a hammer several times:censored:.I finally got it loose. I stuck my little finger in the hole and I could not feel the level of the fluid.:oops: The bottom plug was tight, but it came loose.:D
    The fluid was very smelly and BLACK!!o_O:cry:
    After it all drained out; I blew it out using an air gun with about 100 PSI; and got about 1/10 quart more out.(y)
    I wish I changed it at 50,000 or 60,000 miles....... I then cleaned and tighten the bottom plug to 29 lb/ ft.
    I added the new fluid by using a funnel and about 3' of clear tubing, coming in from the top rear, right side of the ICE.(y)The last quart I had to have some help, with me under the Prius, with my:love: wife pouring a little at a time, until it started coming out of the top hole. I then cleaned and tighten the top plug at 29 lb/ft.
    Now I had to put the bottom cover back on.:cool: That was fun!!:)
    I used about 3.85 quarts.
     
  16. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    What? You don't have to change the transmission fluid...the book says so...:ROFLMAO: (Just kidding)

    For what my opinion's worth...get (or do) a brake flush and PM service too.

    Good job!
     
  17. FroggyTaco

    FroggyTaco Member

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    Knowing how "dark" my fluid was @30K miles from just normal driving before I even did occasional less than 1000# combined loads towing I would suggest you drain'n'fill your ATF on the same 10K schedule as your oil if your towing as frequently as it appears you do.
     
  18. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    I have been told that the old fluid is black in color, anyway.:eek:
    I know the book states at 100,000 miles, at normal driving; ...... but I don,t drive normal!!;)
    I change the ICE at 5,000 miles; ....... instead of 10,000 miles as recommended by Toyota.(y)
    So; I,m thinking at 50,000 miles for the transmission fluid!!:unsure:
     
    #298 engerysaver, Feb 10, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2016
  19. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    30K max on transmission and brake fluid for me. The Prius is not magical...and neither are it's fluids.
     
  20. prius-19

    prius-19 Junior Member

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    Last couple summers, I towed a 150lb 4x6 fiberglass trailer. Mainly garden materials, leaves, brushes, and small branches to the compost site. I plan on getting a hitch for my Sienna so she can do the job.