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

No go…

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by fdboucher, May 14, 2012.

  1. fdboucher

    fdboucher New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2012
    11
    1
    0
    Location:
    Quebec City, QC
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I had an appointment this morning at 10h00 with the Toyota rep. I wanted to trade in my 2010 Matrix for a brand new, cobalt blue Prius V.

    I had read some of the threads here, and had a list of five questions.

    My first two questions were:

    1. Is it possible to tow a small sailboat (29er) with the Prius V?
    2 Is it possible to install a rack and cargo carrier on the sunroof?

    Sadly, the answers to these two questions were negative…

    I was in the store for less than ten minutes before I realized that, sadly, I could not use that car. :(

    Oh well, maybe they'll make a more powerful model in the future.
     
  2. Keiichi

    Keiichi Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2012
    808
    79
    2
    Location:
    Goleta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    You will be hard pressed to find a Prius that will do what you want. Most towing type cars would be best with a 6cyl engine or better, like a Highlander. The Prius 4cyl engine won't handle the load, not even the Prius v.

    As for the rack, I think you should be able to do so, but it would not help with your Fuel Economy, but also depends on the load. I do not believe the Prius v or any of the Prius cars were built for heavy loads.
     
  3. n0na

    n0na Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2012
    88
    13
    0
    Location:
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    A 29-ft sailboat isn't exactly "small." As Keiichi suggested, take a look at a Highlander hybrid. It can tow up to 3500 pounds and was made to do what you want it to do. It "only" gets 27 mpg but it comes with a roof rack.
     
  4. fdboucher

    fdboucher New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2012
    11
    1
    0
    Location:
    Quebec City, QC
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    A 29er is a 14 ft performance/racing skiff! It weighs certainly less than 1500 lbs on its trailer.

    I've seen a few Prius with a trailer hitch… but I'm believe this is not approved by Toyota! I do know the Highlander hybrid can tow a trailer.

    As for the overhead rack, I was told by the rep that the roof would have to be able to bear 150 lbs. The sunroof can not. I do understand it's not great for fuel economy, however, I use it intermittently on my Matrix.

    I'm very sad about that! I was SO enthused by the V!!

    It isn't much of a "family" car if you can't do the trailer & rack thing with it… :-(
     
  5. Wanderer

    Wanderer Hybrid neophyte

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2012
    366
    39
    0
    Location:
    Cold country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Most that I've seen use a hitch for a bike rack or cargo tray. I wouldn't tow with a v personally but I'm sure some have. W
     
  6. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    People tow with Prii of all sizes all the time. And you can get the hitch-mounted cargo tray as well. But if the Matrix suits your needs all the way down to it being your only vehicle, then you might as well hang on to it for a few more years.
     
  7. Danny Hamilton

    Danny Hamilton Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2007
    926
    94
    0
    Location:
    Greater Chicagoland Area
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    This is a silly statement. MOST families don't need to tow a sailboat, or anything else for that matter. Most of what would be put on a roof rack could either be carried in the car, or on a trunk rack. While it is not recommended by Toyota, some people also install a hitch, and haul stuff on a shelf behind
    the vehicle.

    I understand that this vehicle isn't right for "your" family, and certainly it isn't the perfect car for everyone. But to say that it isn't much of a family car because it won't tow your boat, or support a roof rack on your sunroof?
     
  8. Keiichi

    Keiichi Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2012
    808
    79
    2
    Location:
    Goleta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Seilerts - What is the towing capacity of the Toyota prius

    Just cause you have seen people tow stuff with Prius cars, does not make it 'right'. I remember a freeway shutdown because some nimrod decided it was a good idea for his compact car to tow a sailboat, which toppled over and closed off a freeway.

    From cars.com - http://www.cars.com/toyota/prius-v/2012/specifications/

    So, the car is rated for a total weight of 4.3k lbs... The car itself is 3.3k pounds. At most, it should not try pulling more than 1k worth of weight. If you factor in 5 people, averaging around 100 lbs each, you have 500lbs left. Now since not everyone is going to ideally 100lbs (Hell, I admit, I am 240 lbs...) That is still not enough to tote the stuff you plan on taking along with a boat that is 1.5 times the GVWR. If the car had a higher powered engine, then it wouldn't be a problem, but a 4cyl engine is not designed for heavy loads.
     
  9. massparanoia

    massparanoia Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    697
    467
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    If you tow anything with a car that isn't rated to tow anything, and you get in an accident you are screwed. If they can pin any part of the accident on the fact you were towing something, and if you were at fault or if there was personal injury you will be in trouble. I wouldn't risk it.
     
    1 person likes this.
  10. fdboucher

    fdboucher New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2012
    11
    1
    0
    Location:
    Quebec City, QC
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It sounds silly to you probably because you do not have three boys aged 12 to 20 and a wife who all like biking and skiing...

    Try driving to the ski resort with the skis, poles, boots, helmets and so on inside the cabin with five people. Then you come back and tell me about it!

    I won't even discuss hockey, gardening or long-distance trips!

    ;-D
     
  11. Danny Hamilton

    Danny Hamilton Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2007
    926
    94
    0
    Location:
    Greater Chicagoland Area
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Nah, it sounds silly to me because there are many families that are perfectly happy with the car. I'm not saying that it is silly to say the car isn't right for YOUR family, I'm just saying that it is silly to say that the car isn't right for ANY family, as in "It isn't much of a "family" car if"
     
  12. jabecker

    jabecker driver of Prii since 2005

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2005
    448
    78
    1
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Growing up, my parents drove a mid-sized station wagon. Every weekend we drove to the ski hill with up to six people, skis, poles, boots, etc., in the cabin. Somehow we all survived. ;)

    I've hauled trees, bushes, bark dust, etc., inside my 2005 Gen 2.

    I'm with Danny on this one. Just because it doesn't fit your needs, that doesn't mean it's not perfect for many families.
     
  13. Quentin

    Quentin Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2010
    335
    88
    0
    Location:
    West Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    With 3 kids, you're looking at minivans.

    Or tell the 20 year old to get a job and car. ;)

    I think the v would be ideal for a ski trip. Loads of cargo space in the back for helmets and boots and you can put a roof rack on top so long as it is the type that clinches to the door frame. You obviously don't want the kind that you screw directly into the roof.

    [​IMG]

    I'm personally adding a hitch when mine arrives. I had a roof rack on my GTI and that business is for the birds. My Thule hitch mounted mountain bike rack is far easier to live with.
     
  14. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I couldn't agree more. I was just pointing out that people tow with Prii of all generations. If the original poster were interested, he could read the stories. Some people are very cautious, while others take calculated risks.

    I would highly recommend a Tundra or Sequoia for the original poster, but that is not kosher here.
     
  15. phobix

    phobix Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2012
    22
    5
    0
    Location:
    Montreal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If you are looking for fuel economy coupled with ability to tow a sailboat one option to consider would be the jetta sportSwagen or the golf tdi Wagen in Canada. I previously owned this vehicle and the torque of the diesel is well suited to the task of towing much better than the Prius.
     
    1 person likes this.
  16. fdboucher

    fdboucher New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2012
    11
    1
    0
    Location:
    Quebec City, QC
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I had three Siennas. Gas-guzzlers if I've ever seen one…

    I tried! I tried!

    Of course. I have a Thulé on my Matrix, but was told I should not consider even that type of rack on the V!

    Indeed.

    But in the end, the Prius is not as versatile as the Matrix.

    I guess it's a fine family car for families driving to and from the local Burger King…
    :cheer2:SILLY JOKE HERE!!!
    Don't flame me please!!!
    :peep:
     
  17. fdboucher

    fdboucher New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2012
    11
    1
    0
    Location:
    Quebec City, QC
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Good suggestion.

    Sadly, I'm a Toyota addict…:wub:
     
  18. fdboucher

    fdboucher New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2012
    11
    1
    0
    Location:
    Quebec City, QC
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Wow! Indeed, that IS a
    I'm impressed. This is exactly what I had in mind. (Yakima and Prorack also offer nice models).

    However, the vehicle shown here is the base model without the sunroof… I wonder if it can be installed on the models WITH sunroof.

    I will have to ask the Toyota dealer about this.
     
  19. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,795
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Investigating the total reality of a vehicle in relationship to your desires and potential uses is important.

    I'd say if frequent and semi-demanding towing, along with desire for a roof rack, were automotive priorities? Then perhaps a Prius V, isn't the choice for the OP at this time.
     
  20. fdboucher

    fdboucher New Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2012
    11
    1
    0
    Location:
    Quebec City, QC
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Exactly. Just too bad! I really like that Prius V…