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2002 Prius - Trailer - Trike: Oh My!

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by TexomaEV, Jan 13, 2013.

  1. TexomaEV

    TexomaEV Member

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    Just thought I'd post a link to a few photos of a Generation 1 Prius being used for more than just a commuter vehicle:

    Motorcycle Trike - "Sunny Motorsports - Roadrunner 300" - a set on Flickr

    Even though, it was pouring down rain, the day we made this trip, the car had no problem on the highway, keeping up with traffic, handling, etc... Was very proud of my little car!
     
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    cool, that's some serious towing! isuppose it helps to be a flatlander?
     
  3. TexomaEV

    TexomaEV Member

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    It wasn't totally flat, as a prairie, but certainly no mountains to climb either. Not sure, I'd even want to take a Gen 1 on a mountain trek on it's own..... :) There were a few grades that had the ol' engine going, but it does it on those grades with or without pulling. I hardly ever use cruise control in the Gen 1, cause it sounds like it's gonna blow the engine trying to keep the speed when going up hill at times. I wonder if any Gen 1's are in use in hill country?
     
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    So what was your MPG?

    Bob Wilson
     
  5. TexomaEV

    TexomaEV Member

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    Unfortunately, I did not reset the center display, and didn't pay any real attention to the Scangauge II either. I was so focused on the road/rain & idiots like me on the roadway, it never dawned on me what kinda mpg we were getting..... :(
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i've seen quite a few in new england over the years, but it's not colorado!
     
  7. TexomaEV

    TexomaEV Member

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    OK, I did the mpg calculation the old fashioned way. Luckily I'd reset the trip counter before heading out, and remembered I had filled up to have a full tank for the trip, and I drove the other Prius earlier during the week not to use any of the gas for the upcoming road trip. Course I realized/remembered this, only after taking the car to get some fuel stabilizer for the motorcycle. Anyhow, I filled the gas tank of the car, and from the 6.2 gallons it took to top it off, and the round trip being 197.8 miles, the ol' gal got: 31.9 mpg round trip. Better than most 10 year old cars on the road today...... :)
     
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  8. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Close enough!

    Half the trip with an empty trailer and half with the bike, the round trip is what we ultimately pay as there is 'no free lunch.' <grins>

    Bob Wilson
     
  9. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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  10. cam7731

    cam7731 New Member

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    The EV motor has more torque at a given speed than the gas engine. This is why the Prius can pull a trailer an equivalently sized (non-Prius) car cannot. The only concerns I would have would be related to suspension and frame stability.

    Awesome post, yet more evidence that the Prius is and has always been the most advanced car on the road.
     
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    + brakes ... under routine driving, the Prius will probably do quite well without extra brake wear, as it does so much of the braking by regen. But should you ever face a hard-stop situation, it will still be down to the small size of the drums and rotors versus the momentum needing to be stopped....

    -Chap