Towing

Anything is "possible". Advisable, another question? Personally, I'd be ok with roof rack, not trailer.

 

You should never exceed the tongue weight rating on the hitch. What would the tongue weight be?
Would the trailer have brakes?

 

The 2nd Gen Prius had a 1000 lb rating, which was printed in some obscure place in the owners manual. I am thinking it is listed there and is still the same.

As far as a tongue rating, I would think it depends on the hitch system that is installed. I have personally repaired a crashed rear end on the '05 and it is made mostly of paper-thin stamped metal spot welded together, and paper-thin tubular supports to that sheet metal. That being said, the 3rd Gen claims to have a rigid frame for ride stiffness and handling. I would take an educated guess and say that any tongue weight would be minimal without some sort of support bracket added to the rear.

I guess your local U-Haul Store or Pep Boys may be able to outfit you with a receiver hitch (which isn't a bad idea for adding a bike-rack or a small basket.) BUT, keep in mind, there are a lot of panels that are added to the bottom of most of that car, including the rear, for aerodynamics (which will complicate the job). And, most vehicles with a towing package come with an upgraded drivetrain and a thicker upgraded radiator to cool the engine and trans oil.

I would consider a smaller trailer. An if you did have to load it down over a 1000lbs, I would use a lite touch on the gas (electric) pedal. Just my 2 cents.....

 

There's this, on page 228:

 

isn't there towing capacity on euro pri?

 

That's true: same car, different policy. I tend to cherry pick what I want to follow, go with the Toyota edict that's easier on the car.

And always buy new. I don't want to buy someone's trailer towing workhorse, maybe with alternative transaxle fluid.

 

yep, haven't purchased a used car since i could afford not to.

 

Why do people buy a vehicle and then want to do EVERYTHING it is designed NOT to do?
Am I the only one who bought the Prius to for the fuel mileage?

 

My 2009 did OK recently over a approximately 7,000 Mile journey.
The trailer weighs about 200 pounds, the motorcycle 300 pounds, the luggage carrier had several bags, the trunk was full of luggage and there were 4 adult occupants.

Only twice did the car struggle--the last 10 minutes to reach Aspen Summit and the last 10 minutes to reach The Eisenhower Tunnel crossing the Rockies. The car could barely maintain 40 MPH. I would say issue was about 10 Miles or so out of 7,000 Miles. The rest of the time I had no issues maintaining well above the speed limit.

I would not tow a 2500 pound trailer. And I have towed a lot with my Prius.

Simba

 

I use mine as a tow truck...

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Can you link me to info on your hitch and roof top set up as well plz? I'm looking to upgrade my tow truck a little bit for my 2k mile adventure!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Fuel economy results please? I had a stock roof rack with a top carrier on my 06 Prius, and the fuel economy did suffer.

 

When my Wife drove we got 35 MPG. When I drove we got just about 30-31 MPG. The roof top carrier appears to have a bigger detrimental effect than the hitch/trailer.

We recently drove with the trailer and bike and only 2 adult occupants and no roof top carrier: 38 MPG. I was driving.

Simba

 

Extremely candid.

 

Here is the hitch set up: there are installation videos on e-trailer and youtube.

 

Roof top carrier is a largest one available at Sears. We got it several years ago and have used it on many different cars including the Prius. The roorf rails for the Prius was from Ebay cheap stuff. The rails work great but do create a slight howling noise. Its funny but the noise is there only when the roof top carrier is NOT mounted. With the roof top carrier in place no noise.

 

I was thinking of one of these for my kayaks. Is it safe and sturdy enough for them?

 

I had no issues with my roof top carrier. But I suggest test runs at different speeds. The instructions that come with the roof rail are lousy but you will figure it out. I had to move them a couple of times to get the nose of the roof top carrier level versus pointing up.

Maybe, a better know brand like Thule might be better but for my use I was OK going cheap.

Sima

 

I've seen canoe's and single kayaks on Prius', as they drove by.
None had a rope in the front or rear for safety.
Thanks!