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Towing

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by donzoh1, Jan 17, 2022.

  1. donzoh1

    donzoh1 Active Member

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    What is the reason for not using a Prius to tow (Gen2)? Is this a CVT thing? Also, any suggestions on which hybrid would be a better choice? I'm thinking small popup trailer or another small trailer around 2000 pounds. I like the idea of towing with a hybrid since it could serve as a low demand 12v power source overnight.
     
  2. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Most do not recommend towing with a Prius because the powertrain and brakes were designed to be "just enough" for the car alone- which the web says is about 3000 lbs. More weight = more stress on everything. Add a 2000lb trailer and a slow car becomes "dangerous road hazard slow" when accelerating from a stop or up hills. The braking system is inadequate for that much weight in any kind of emergency situation (or extended downhill).

    Some do tow with their Prius, I would not. Want a different hybrid for that trailer? - how about a Highlander?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I tow a plastic aluminum trailer almost 4 times a week in my 2013. Has receiver my gen 2 do not. My trailer is 346 pounds connected empty . I never know it's they're till the zero turn or materials in it ..no issues even going up hill . Pop up camper possible. But you will no it's they're and will slow ya down and an incline. Oy .
     
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    The car is set up with gearing and brakes for a 1000lb payload, which includes the driver. Personally I don't think the car minds too much if the load is outside vs. in the seats. That's a cheat I'll do: I have towed some very light trailers even though the manual says not to.

    But 2000lbs is not 1000lbs, and I will not be trying a 2000lb haul with mine.

    $350 is enough to get you in the game with a camping-grade generator or solar power kit. You're not going to double the load-carrying ability of your Prius for less.
     
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I have a 4X8 foot trailer that weighs 380 pounds and can haul up to 1500 pounds... In my experience it's not an issue for small loads. The problem is when I pull a full load, the lightweight design of the car means that momentum of that load when it sways side to side tends to transfer to the rear end and sways the rear of the car a bit more than I'm comfortable with at speeds above 40mph.

    Also a friend of mine who owns a teardrop trailer took it on a Prius road trip once, but didn't do so after that because it added too much stress / decline in vehicle stability to long freeway drives. So key to what you haul is keeping it as light as possible.

    As for hauling heavy loads damaging the transmission, I'm skeptical of that claim. There's people who have hitched up ridiculously huge loads to a Prius and none of them have ever said they ruined their transmission. If anyone has any links that says otherwise, I'd like to see them?
     
  6. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    My thought is that increasing the load that a Prius has to move will increase heat and stress on the engine, trans, inverter, and battery. I don't imagine that would immediately "break" anything that's in decent condition, but continued operation at "max" load is going to reduce overall longevity. Also, if there IS a marginal component (inverter for example) heavy use will make it more likely to fail.

    Small utility trailer? Local use? Go for it if that works for you. Wouldn't pull no 2000lb with my Prius.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Travis Decker likes this.
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The braking and stability are the considerations usually left as an afterthought. Many will hook up a trailer and be pleased when they see the car is able to accelerate it to highway speed and cruise down the road with it. That's the easy part.
     
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I towed a lot with my g2 using the uhaul 4x8 open trailer. Very heavy trailer.
    Just local never more that 5 miles, My car felt every bit of it.

    Take away is it hammers the hybrid battery as its under high load and can never catch up and get a full charge and it makes the regen brakes disappear as you have so much pushing weight. Then your on the little go kart car brakes.

    Want to know what that feels like get up to 50 mph and put the trans in neutral and try to stop. Then imagine with an extra 1000 lbs pushing behind you.

    So…..if you have an original g2=hybrid battery on it’s last legs forget about it.
    Last thing you want in your life is the hybrid battery to fail in the boondocks oh Lordy.

    If you have the much more powerful g2-3-4 that would be much better.
    But around town it’s easy. I rented one of those really light trailers once and that was much easier on the car. But the heavy uhaul trailer sucks but hard to find the light trailer to rent here. Only place to do that is private.

    Curt trailer from etrailer.com. Nice trailer. On a Prius it requires the auxiliary 12 volt kit to power the trailer lights. Really easy to hook up because the 12 volt battery is in the trunk.
     
  9. donzoh1

    donzoh1 Active Member

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    My Gen 2 has a junkyard traction battery so I don't think it would do well towing anything. I think the new Sienna hybrid is rated for 3500 pounds but i might need to wait a couple years to get a used one.
     
    edthefox5 likes this.
  10. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I own the light weight trailer. It's made in USA by Floe corp. Mines the 8x56 I think comes in a box in a freight truck . My zero turn can pull it around yard n driveway. A VW old bug can pull er. Die yeah otay. Too bad this been going on ten years. I appreciate the concerns though . The local landscaper herein chapel hill NC has been using Prii. For years to haul the equipment. All over the city. .
     
    #11 Tombukt2, Jan 23, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2022
  11. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    I have been towing with my 2009 Prius for years - -its my 'Minimalist Camper'.
    Fully loaded my MPG suffers down to about 35.
    I try to keep my speeds in check to about the speed limit maybe exceed by 5 MPH.
    Simba

    [​IMG]
     
    edthefox5 likes this.
  12. ammdb

    ammdb Active Member

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    The Toyota Highlander hybrid tows just as well as the gas only models.

    The reason for not towing with a Prius is probably the same as any small car.
     
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Simba thats a nice little trailer there.
     
    Simbaboy likes this.