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Towing trailer cross country

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by ramattos, Apr 23, 2015.

  1. ramattos

    ramattos Junior Member

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    Have done some searching already. This is just a feeler post. I am considering in the future purchasing a trailer and towing it home, problem is trailer is in Washington state and I'd be towing it back to Pennsylvania. It also weighs about 2200lbs. Is it practical to tow it with the Prius or would I be better renting a truck to bring it home? I'm already aware that it's not designed to tow.
     
    #1 ramattos, Apr 23, 2015
  2. neez

    neez Member

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    No way i would tow a 2200lbs trailer. Assuming the tongue weight will be 15-20% of the trailer weight, your empty trailer alone with 2 passengers in the prius would exceed the 800lbs payload of the prius.

    It's your car, so do what you want. I would advise against it. If you are talking a light 400lbs utility trailer, then i'd say ok depending on how much stuff you put in it, but not what you're talking about.
     
    #2 neez, Apr 23, 2015
  3. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    The Prius will not take a breaking mass of 2200lbs at any speed above 20MPH.
     
    #3 mrbigh, Apr 23, 2015
  4. ramattos

    ramattos Junior Member

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    The planned trailer has both axles with brakes.
     
    #4 ramattos, Apr 23, 2015
  5. ETC(SS)

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

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    Please Don't.

    Your Prius might be able to pull a 2200# load, but stopping and turning is pretty important too, and there are a lot of bumps between WA and PA, not to mention other people on the road.

    Your Prius was designed with a MGVW in mind.
    Engineers try to 'solve for Darwin' when they design stuff, but I think that this might be pushing things a little......(*) or in this case pulling.

    Good Luck!!!
     
    #5 ETC(SS), Apr 23, 2015
  6. mypriuscious

    mypriuscious Member

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    Expect this to happen if you

     
    #6 mypriuscious, Apr 24, 2015
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Stuff like this is always in my mind when I entertain buying a used car.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Apr 24, 2015
  8. ETC(SS)

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

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    Me too.
     
    #8 ETC(SS), Apr 24, 2015
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