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

Towing zero turn mower with Prius??

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by eddiehaskell, Aug 26, 2017.

  1. eddiehaskell

    eddiehaskell Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2007
    231
    51
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I have one of the foldable harbor freight 4x8 trailers which is maybe 375lbs. I've pulled some small loads with it, but now I need a new mower for my own yard and my parents yard. Looking online, the 42" zero turn mowers are 480-500lbs. Add in fuel, trimmer, blower and that's about 550lbs of cargo. 550+375 = 925lbs. Would you feel comfy towing 925 lbs with the Prius. I'm 150lbs + 75lbs for the hitch so a grand total of 1150lbs.
     
  2. CNYhybrid

    CNYhybrid Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2016
    158
    83
    0
    Location:
    Liverpool, New York
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    GrGramps likes this.
  3. CNYhybrid

    CNYhybrid Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2016
    158
    83
    0
    Location:
    Liverpool, New York
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    It would also help if you could calculate the tongue weight.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  4. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    1,014
    485
    0
    Location:
    Nh
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Agree, if it's flat and at night, like 3am, stopping going fast downhill would be problematic, why possibly get hit from behind, rent a truck at Home Depot, get them to deliver,
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    flat, slow, short, no problem. slow acceleration and braking.(y)
     
  6. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2016
    1,215
    1,164
    1
    Location:
    Coronado Island, California
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    This would be no issue with the trailer or the car, however if it has small tires and wheels you will want to keep your speed down. I assume the trailer is rated at 1000 pounds for the load.
     
  7. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2014
    778
    514
    0
    Location:
    Outside Philly, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Of course, we do not recommend doing this while mowing the lawn ;)
     
  8. eddiehaskell

    eddiehaskell Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2007
    231
    51
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Pretty flat land. Live near Charlotte. Maximum distance traveled would be about 10 miles at below 50 mph. No highway driving.

    The trailer I have is rated for 1,195 lb.
     
  9. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,979
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Right from the start, "towing is not recommended for the Prius" from Toyota.

    -However-, such a light load and such a short distance should be no problem.
     
    m.wynn likes this.
  10. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2016
    1,215
    1,164
    1
    Location:
    Coronado Island, California
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Any car that is capable of hauling fat chicks and/or guys that could be stars on a pawnshop or tow truck reality show can pull a small trailer without an issue if it is properly loaded. And the Prius IS rated for the fatty's.
     
    herqulees likes this.
  11. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2016
    1,215
    1,164
    1
    Location:
    Coronado Island, California
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You won't even notice it. :) And neither will the car.
     
    garglo likes this.
  12. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2014
    778
    514
    0
    Location:
    Outside Philly, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Sometimes towing a mower is better than trying to load it in the hatch!

    [​IMG]
     
  13. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2016
    1,215
    1,164
    1
    Location:
    Coronado Island, California
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    That mower would fit right in the back of the Prius! Probably close the hatch, too.
     
  14. garglo

    garglo Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2007
    99
    45
    0
    Location:
    Port St Lucie, FL
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    I've used the same trailer to tow from NY to FL with a gen2. Loaded at least 1000 in it, 100-120 on the tongue, had to look see if it was still there. Needed a 5in rise to get the level correct.
     
    William Redoubt likes this.
  15. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,347
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I pulled "a lot" more than that for +12 hours straight. Don't know about your trailer, but the car can take that load.
     
    William Redoubt likes this.