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Data on damage from towing in the UK?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by SwannyBC, Sep 12, 2020.

  1. SwannyBC

    SwannyBC New Member

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    2018.12.18-Toyota-Prius-towing-2-C.jpg
    In 2016 Toyota announced with some fanfare that the new generation Prius was now rated to safely tow up to 1600 lbs. “Its new ability has been made possible thanks to heat management measures introduced in its main electric motor-generator and differential.”. In NA, this same vehicle was still rated with zero towing capacity and Toyota continued to warn against any towing in its NA owner manuals.
    The difference was apparently not in the specifications but in different rules governing towing in the UK and NA that made it safer to tow with a 2016 and newer Prius. The UK has strict speed limits for towing and in some cases requires additional licensing. NA, on the other hand, is the wild west of speed limits where drivers are known to shoot each other for going too slow.
    So, it has now been four + years and from what I read, caravaning with a Prius is popular in the UK, so is there any data now to back up the claim that this wasn't destroying the brakes, transmission and motors of these new generation Prius'? The only feedback I've found is anecdotal and short-term.
    I would love to tow an ultra-lite with my 2016 Prius C. I've seen a few nice camperswith 1000 lb dry weight. The warranty on my Prius is nearly done, so next summer I won't be worried about invalidating it. But on the other hand, I don't want to destroy my car if UK Prius owners are now all seeing their transmissions and brakes failing from towing.
     
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we've been towing since 2001, no problem. ignore the noise
     
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  3. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Would you tow with a "c" though?
     
  4. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    I would not..
     
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  5. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    I wouldn’t worry about a small trailer like that, especially if it has pulse brakes and a load distribution hitch
     
  6. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    I was thinking the same thing. It's already HP challenged, and quite small. I wouldn't be comfortable doing it, but of course,

    1000lbs. dry weight can be deceiving. Additional weight in the car adds up quickly, brakes or not.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would, depending on circumstances.
     
  8. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    I'd like to see a modern good-to-go European hitch for a Gen4 Prius to see if they are connected / built better than the offerings here since we're talking about it. :)