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Buying a used 2017 gen 4 with trailer hitch.

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Piotrus Pan, Jan 3, 2021.

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  1. Piotrus Pan

    Piotrus Pan Member

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    I found a used 2017 gen 4 for decent price.
    My concern is that it has a trailer hitch. From what I read in the manual this car does not like to tow anything! Battery and transmission might have gotten a hit there.
    What do you guys think? Is it safe to buy it?
    The car has 70'000km (~45'000 miles).
     
    #1 Piotrus Pan, Jan 3, 2021
  2. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    I have a trailer hitch on mine that I use for a bike rack. I'm sure that it does not have any negative effects on the car.
     
    #2 krmcg, Jan 3, 2021
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  3. Piotrus Pan

    Piotrus Pan Member

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    I understand that if the towing load is small, then it's fine but this car is in Germany and they like to tow camper trailers.
     
    #3 Piotrus Pan, Jan 4, 2021
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, there's just no way to know, is there?

    i thought european prius got a tow rating, may have misremembered
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 4, 2021
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  5. Piotrus Pan

    Piotrus Pan Member

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    I called and asked. The previos owner did tow a camping trailer i just don't know how big it was. There is a plug mounted in the back of the Prius that was delivering power to the trailer.
    My gen 3 has a tow limit of 300kg (~660lbs). I don't know the gen 4 limit but I guess it wouldn't be much different.
     
    #5 Piotrus Pan, Jan 5, 2021
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Patron saint of newly poured sidewalks

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    Trailer hitch could mean nothing, but it’s worthwhile to be more wary. Good the prev owner did disclose trailer towing: it will have more impact than a bike rack for sure. It’s commendable he didn’t lie, for what it’s worth.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Jan 5, 2021
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you could get it at a decent discount to pay for possible future repair, it might be worth the risk.
    i suppose any used car could be abused one way or another, without it being detectable until the future.
     
    #7 bisco, Jan 5, 2021
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Patron saint of newly poured sidewalks

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    A trailer hitch is a selling feature on a truck or SUV, but the opposite on a Prius.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Jan 5, 2021
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  9. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    Not sure of the weight on the campers over there in Germany but even the ultralights in America would exceed the towing recommendations of the Prius
     
    #9 robsnyder20, Jan 7, 2021
  10. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    I'm pretty sure Porsche 911's aren't rating to 'tow' anything, either, but there are reasons for hitches beyond towing.



    [​IMG]
     
    #10 Mambo Dave, Jan 11, 2021
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