How to kill your Prius mileage (and your Prius?)

Worst of all, it says in the owners manual to NOT tow anything.

 

Uhauls are all licensed in AZ. The Uhaul computer software would not allow this hookup. There are ways around it however, ie; he may have picked it up with something else and then switched, he could have lied to the clerk, then hooked it himself to the Prius, or many other ways around. This is a 6x12 and has a tongue weight of over 200lbs unloaded. I have no idea what hitch he has, but the trailer requires a 2" ball and unless he adapted something, no way is a 2" ball recommended on a Prius hitch. And yes the trailer is not loaded properly. It should be level or slightly leaning forward.

 

Probably a rental car.

 

Wow, I recently towed a 5x8 cross country with a properly equipped (full towing package) Honda Odyssey. Even then I didn't feel comfortable going with the bigger trailer that U-Haul said I could manage. Right after the trip I had the AT drained and refilled, mechanic said the fluid looked awful. Can't imagine the damage this poor Prius is taking. But even worse is the simple safety concern - no way is that car going to control that trailer in an emergency situation. Just hope if they crash they only take themselves out and not a car full of kids.

- D

 

Since the Prius is riding more or less level I'd say that the angle of the trainer is a result of a very low hitch on the Prius. Since they'd want to fit the hitch under the rear bumper I'd say that the hitch is low (and apparent;y improperly installed).

 

Look closer at the picture again. It's far from level. I'd say there is at least 500 lbs of weight on the rear of the Prius.

 

The first Prius that broke down!

 

You think maybe U-Haul has the VIN of that Prius?

 

all i can say is wow. I almost can't believe its real.

 

Those U-Haul trailers have surge brakes. Better than nothing, but I've found out a few things over 15 years: surge brakes are barely better than no trailer brakes, and they usually don't work at all

Another sneaky trick with surge brakes: if you try to back a loaded U-Haul trailer up a steep driveway, the tongue will depress the actuator, the trailer brakes will apply, and you will NOT be able to back up!

I would never use a car, certainly never a Prius, to tow a trailer that big. A sudden side gust could end the trip in tragedy.

When I had the GMC Sierra with factory towing package, and a 6,200 lb camper (Truck was rated for 9,100 lbs towing) I encountered situations where the only way to stop the violent trailer sway from a sudden gust of side wind was to actuate the electric trailer brakes

I was careful to use a tow vehicle with a higher rating than what I planned to tow. Even then, I encountered some situations that were only saved by quick thinking and manual use of the electric trailer brakes

As far as liability, say there is a crash and it ends in tragedy. The fact is discovered that the Prius is NOT rated to tow anything, certainly not a two axle U-Haul trailer. Insurance? Good luck

 

And Uhaul is famous for renting equipment that is poorly maintained / older than dirt.

And I agree the issue isn't pulling the thing straight down the road - the issue is what happens if the driver has to stop that thing suddenly or gets hit by a gust of wind. I wouldn't want to be the driver.

 

I have yet to walk into a U-Haul store and NOT find a bunch of clowns running the place.

 

I just saw the picture. Reminded me of this.

 

This shot would be incredible if it were of them driving down the freeway. I can just see people doing that.

 

OMG... now I'm torn. Which one is worse? LOL!

 

I don't have a photo, but years ago I hauled two coffin-sized speakers home in the back of my Honda CRX. Well, mostly in the back - a fair amount of each speaker stuck out into space.

Tom

 

Sorry, Evan.

I was thinking that myself. The guy doesn't care if he destroys the car, and is too stupid to realize that the car cannot control the trailer in an emergency. Or he thinks he is too good a driver to ever have an emergency. Or he is drunk...

 

Some people really should not be allowed to breed....

 

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