has anyone wired a trailer for their prius

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Apr 24 2007, 08:21 AM) [snapback]428927[/snapback]</div>

With a caveat ... trailers are a no no, according to the manual. Heck, if you look at the weight capacity for 4 passengers and a driver, everyone would have to be under 200lbs!

 

doesnt the brochurers and toyota advertisng say 5 passengers?
so that would be 160?

 

I think I'll add a trailer-hitch myself, but I don't think I'd bother with wiring since I'd only ever use the hitch for a bike rack.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Apr 24 2007, 07:23 AM) [snapback]428965[/snapback]</div>

And the manual also says not to exceed the posted speed limit.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Apr 24 2007, 05:21 AM) [snapback]428927[/snapback]</div>

I'll even make it easier, because I know the guy: http://evnut.com/prius_trailer_wiring.htm

 

Does anyone have an idea of what a SAFE towing load for the Prius would be? As was pointed out, the manual says not to tow period. Most small passenger cars can tow at least a 1500 lb trailer. I might consider towing a small (4x8) utility trailer, or one of my smaller boats (e.g. a 10' inflatable).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rigormortis @ Apr 24 2007, 10:41 AM) [snapback]428972[/snapback]</div>

Yes, so if your trailer tong weight is (for example) 300 lbs, you and one passenger weigh 350lbs, you can carry what, nothing? :lol:

 

Cool site! The guy has a sense of humor too. He has a thread on installing an EV button. He says that first off, there is some minimal dash disassembly....

Click to see the "minimal dissasembly"

:lol:

 

I agree! The guy is a hoot AND a holler. What's that crazy crap about EVs though? Doesn't he know that gasoline is "where it's at?" :blink:

I'm thinking he's one o' them commies.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ Apr 24 2007, 09:25 AM) [snapback]429046[/snapback]</div>

I've done 500# and likely would not feel comfortable going over (or even up to) 1000#

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Apr 24 2007, 10:58 AM) [snapback]428978[/snapback]</div>

I live in Newton too. Would you like to buy the Coastal receiver hitch I broke with my 4-bike thule bike rack? Pictures here

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dspguy @ Apr 25 2007, 08:11 AM) [snapback]429656[/snapback]</div>

Oh that's sad! Darell or Priussoris, do you have any perspective on whether the Curt receiver hitch would do better under the conditions that dspguy described, i.e. 170+ pounds of hitch-mounted bike rack and bikes?

I don't think I'd go that high because I don't own that many bikes... most I'd carry would be maybe 3 bikes. But the bike trailer is sounding like maybe a good option down the road.

I don't know what Darell is talking about regaring that EVNut guy... Darell seems cool enough, but EVNut is what my Canadian friends would call a "hoser." And definitely a commie.

p.s. OT, but was looking at darell's site again and saw the "rear wiper blade lift" mod which for some reason I had glossed over before. I ran outside with an Xacto knife and cut off that little piece of plastic. Simplest and most satisfying mod EVER

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Apr 25 2007, 07:33 AM) [snapback]429710[/snapback]</div>

I wouldn't attempt to carry 170 pounds of bikes on ANY Prius rack, personally. Adding the moment arm with that weight hanging out from the hitch - ouch. That said... I've seen exactly one Coastal hitch in the flesh, and I have the Curt. I bought the Curt specifically because of the structural issues I saw with the Coastal hitch (never mind that I ignored the exhaust problem of the Curt hitch - now fixed!). The Curt can theoretically support more weight. But don't quote me on that!

My new trailer is due here in under two weeks now. Will be a bicycle/kayak/cargo trailer for me. Can't wait! No more lifting things onto the roof! Yay. I'll still use my hitch rack for when I just want to carry one bike, or I know that a trailer would be a PITA.

That's a good thing, right?

Excellent! Yeah, I'm pretty proud of that one. One of those things where you get so ticked off, you have to find a solution... and then the solution is REALLY easy! In fact so easy, you wonder why they went through the trouble to PREVENT the way it should operate. :sigh:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ Apr 24 2007, 09:25 AM) [snapback]429046[/snapback]</div>

0 lbs. You answered your own question.

Where do you get the idea that "most small passenger cars can tow at least a 1500 lb trailer"? I just looked in the owner's manual for my 04 350Z coupe, my former 02 Nissan Maxima, an 03 Infiniti G35 and an 02 Nissan Altima. The max trailer load limit is 1000 lbs. for all of them except for the roadster (convertible) version of the Z where it's 0 lbs.

I looked up the Pontiac G6's max towing capacity and it is also 1000 lbs per http://www.gm.com/automotive/vehicle_shopp...6Pontiac_G6.pdf.

I wouldn't tow anything w/the Prius if you care about your warranty, esp. on the powertrain and HV systems.

 

Stalled until today, wired mine with a Tow Ready T-One Connector number 118505. The package also has the logos of DrawTite, Hidden Hitch and Reese on it (but I'm confident it will work OK with my Curt hitch ).

Apparently it is not very widely distributed yet; for example, I didn't find it on etrailer.com when I looked there. I found mine at an outfit called Hitch Republic through eBay, $70.52 with shipping: listing here, if it's not expired yet when you read this.

It's plug and play--no cutting, no splicing, no tapping. All wired together. Pretty easy to install if you're comfortable getting to your spare tire area, 12V battery and the connectors on your tail lights. Has an isolated/powered module (I think) so the amperage for the trailer lights doesn't come from the Prius tail light circuits.

Sorry, no pictures. I'm lazy and lack the knack of taking good photos.

 

2010 saga.

Needed a booster / relay, it's an extra 50$. After maybe 10 uses it blew, requiring a new one.

Considering putting diodes in the three +12v lines to prevent a return, perhaps the brand new trailer has a problem when under stress / vibrations and shorts.

The 2006 G2 was a breeze, straight line. That wire cost less than 20$, and I installed myself. Finding the proper code / supplier in Canada was the hardest.

For the 2010 I had it done by a pro shop, so when the booster blew, I wasn't happy.

 

I tow this and have no problems...