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

Buying a used 2017 gen 4 with trailer hitch.

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Piotrus Pan, Jan 3, 2021.

  1. Piotrus Pan

    Piotrus Pan Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2014
    126
    46
    0
    Location:
    Luxembourg
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I found a used 2017 gen 4 for decent price.
    My concern is that it has a trailer hitch. From what I read in the manual this car does not like to tow anything! Battery and transmission might have gotten a hit there.
    What do you guys think? Is it safe to buy it?
    The car has 70'000km (~45'000 miles).
     
  2. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,388
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have a trailer hitch on mine that I use for a bike rack. I'm sure that it does not have any negative effects on the car.
     
    Mambo Dave likes this.
  3. Piotrus Pan

    Piotrus Pan Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2014
    126
    46
    0
    Location:
    Luxembourg
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I understand that if the towing load is small, then it's fine but this car is in Germany and they like to tow camper trailers.
     
    krmcg likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    yeah, there's just no way to know, is there?

    i thought european prius got a tow rating, may have misremembered
     
    Mendel Leisk and krmcg like this.
  5. Piotrus Pan

    Piotrus Pan Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2014
    126
    46
    0
    Location:
    Luxembourg
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I called and asked. The previos owner did tow a camping trailer i just don't know how big it was. There is a plug mounted in the back of the Prius that was delivering power to the trailer.
    My gen 3 has a tow limit of 300kg (~660lbs). I don't know the gen 4 limit but I guess it wouldn't be much different.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Trailer hitch could mean nothing, but it’s worthwhile to be more wary. Good the prev owner did disclose trailer towing: it will have more impact than a bike rack for sure. It’s commendable he didn’t lie, for what it’s worth.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    if you could get it at a decent discount to pay for possible future repair, it might be worth the risk.
    i suppose any used car could be abused one way or another, without it being detectable until the future.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    A trailer hitch is a selling feature on a truck or SUV, but the opposite on a Prius.
     
    robsnyder20 likes this.
  9. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    372
    300
    0
    Location:
    SW Florida USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Not sure of the weight on the campers over there in Germany but even the ultralights in America would exceed the towing recommendations of the Prius
     
  10. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2019
    640
    305
    0
    Location:
    33312
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    L Eco
    I'm pretty sure Porsche 911's aren't rating to 'tow' anything, either, but there are reasons for hitches beyond towing.



    [​IMG]
     
    krmcg likes this.