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Towing a trailer with my Prius v

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by ttran76, May 8, 2013.

  1. ttran76

    ttran76 Junior Member

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    i love this car. i tow all kind of stuff with this car. just today i towed a 2x8 slab of granite. i live in the san diego area and there are lots of hills. my prius did not have any trouble at all climbing the hills. 20130508_111226[1].jpg
     
  2. ahmeow

    ahmeow Prius Lover

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    Wow our Prii can really do good job.
     
  3. Alan Stoddart

    Alan Stoddart Junior Member

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    Is that the kind of trailer hitch that can hold a bicycle rack? Did you have a piece welded onto the frame of the car?
    If so, how much did it cost? Thanks.
     
  4. ttran76

    ttran76 Junior Member

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    it's a torklift hitch. it's bolted on to the frame of the car. no special mod made to the car.

    basketball hoop 20130519_152957[1].jpg
     
  5. dan_rc3

    dan_rc3 Junior Member

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    Very interesting to see. Towing a light load has been ok for several people?
     
    douglasjre likes this.
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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  7. dan_rc3

    dan_rc3 Junior Member

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    Wow, that photo is fantastic. I love that idea. I don't own one yet, but am excited for the potential of the Yakima RackandRoll trailers. They only weigh 150 and 160 pounds, unloaded, which would hopefully be manageable...
     
  8. ttran76

    ttran76 Junior Member

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    Check this out 8x8 wood gazebo.
    i know the 2x8 slab of granite is at lease 250lbs IMG_20130104_165214.jpg gazebo.jpg
     
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  9. jonb505

    jonb505 Member

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    I like it. :cool:
    Can't be any worse than hauling 3 "large" friends around in the car with you.
    How about wiring harness for trailer lights? I've searched the odd time for premade plug and play harness but haven't seen anything yet, i just use my eco hitch for a bike rack but towing a small utility/tent trailer could be a future possibility.
     
  10. ttran76

    ttran76 Junior Member

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    Curt has finally created trailer wiring for the Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) (part number 56156)
     
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  11. betsy307

    betsy307 New Member

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    I've looked into the torklift hitch. Now can you tell me what type of trailer you have? That's exactly what I've been looking for.
     
    Bmr4life likes this.
  12. schmuly

    schmuly Member

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    That looks like a Big Tex trailer, I have one but it is a 4x8 with loading ramp. (model 15lt)
    Mine 4x8 weighs in 380lbs and can carry upto 1200 lbs. tongue weight empty is 10lbs.
    I plan to use our trailer and our Kamperoo Cub with our prius.
    The Kamperoo weighs 520lbs loaded is awesome.
     
    betsy307 likes this.
  13. sURFNmADNESS

    sURFNmADNESS Prii Family

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    I would not trust a trailer load on it. I notice even when braking on uneven surfaces, the Prius v seems to let off the brakes. It almost feeling like a brake failure however it is the computer systems adjusting for the wheels that grip. With a trailer, you could trigger a false triggering with applied brakes and computer not sensing a slow down it expects thanks to an addition 500+ lbs behind the car, pushing it along.
     
  14. ttran76

    ttran76 Junior Member

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    20130619_145019[1].jpg
    I got this trailer at Lowes for $400. Check out my recent tow. It's a 15 foot tall gaint bird of paradise.

    I got this trailer at Lowes for $400. Check out my recent tow. It's a 15 foot tall gaint bird of paradise. 20130619_145019[1].jpg

    never experience that problem. towed over 600 lbs of metal to the recycling center going down hill.
     
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  15. schmuly

    schmuly Member

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    Picked up hitch for our v and installed it this morning. Super easy, my wife held the one side while I put the bolts in, then I switched over to the over side.
    Next weekend we will tackle the wiring for the trailer.
     
    cdltpx likes this.
  16. bloomington

    bloomington Junior Member

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    I just purchased a 2014 Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) and am interested in getting a hitch for my bike rack which is made for a 2 in receptacle.. Which hitch did you purchase? A 1.25 or a 2 inch?
     
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  17. schmuly

    schmuly Member

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    Hi Bloomington, the hitch we bought is a 1.25 hitch but you can get a 1.25 to 2 inch adaptor. (looks like a stinger)
    I don't think any body makes a 2" for any Prius because they are not rated to tow any weight. We tow up to 1000 lbs. with ours ...no problem.
     
  18. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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  19. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    ttran76 likes this.
  20. Emcguy

    Emcguy Member

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    Wow, I've been told that the brakes are the limiting factor for hybrids not towing. Are people using engine braking? I hope to tow in my v one day.