1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Towing Gen 3 using a tow dolly?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Pawnee Driver, Oct 15, 2015.

  1. Pawnee Driver

    Pawnee Driver New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2015
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Rochester
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Has anyone towed their Gen3 Prius using a tow dolly? I plan on touring the National Parks in the West next year with my motorhome and wondered did anyone have any experience using a tow dolly to tow their car. The service writer at the dealership where I purchased my car in July 2009 said that I could not tow it except on a full trailer with all 4 wheels off the ground. Some members of IRV2 web site state they have used tow dolly's for Gen 2 but I cannot find out about Gen 3 experiences. I would appreciate any help from the group.
     
    #1 Pawnee Driver, Oct 15, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,888
    49,479
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome! if you lift the front end, i don't see the problem. what does the o/m say?
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 15, 2015
  3. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    1,209
    322
    0
    Location:
    Peoria AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Towing is mentioned several times throughput the manual, but nowhere does it talk about long-term towing behind an RV. Page 42 says:

    If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with front wheels raised. If the
    wheels connected to the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground
    when towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may
    cause a fire.

    Another page says it can be towed a short distance under 18 mph without any dolly, obviously not recommended though.
     
    #3 DoubleDAZ, Oct 15, 2015
  4. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2013
    773
    228
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    There are many pictures of Gen3 Prii being towed on dollies on Google. Pretty much any FWD car can be towed on a dolly, just make sure the parking brake is off. One issue you might run into is the low bumpers may make it more difficult to find ramps that are a shallow enough angle and keeping your rear from dragging.
     
    #4 vskid3, Oct 15, 2015
  5. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The rear wheels on the car are just idlers. I don't see that it would be a problem on a dolly.
     
    #5 BZzap!, Oct 16, 2015
  6. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    If you will tow for long distance, you have to be aware that the rear tires will wear out a lot.
    Probably you will be facing a tire blowout and not even noticed wile pulling with the motor home, this is the disadvantage.
     
    #6 mrbigh, Oct 16, 2015
  7. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I don't think there would be any appreciable weight transfer to the rear tires to be concerned about. The best way to test that theory would be to weight the rear of the car while it's on the dolly. If you did enough research on the Internet, there would probably be someone who has done just that. If you stay within a reasonable range of the tire weight specification, you should be safe. Also, you should probably step up the tire pressures in the rear tires when carting on a dolly.
     
    #7 BZzap!, Oct 16, 2015
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,554
    38,720
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    In short, the rear tires are gonna wear, but not appreciably more than usual.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Oct 16, 2015
  9. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    If being towed you must have the front wheels off the ground (not being turned).

    You can use a full trailer and get the car off the ground completely or you can use a dolly. The dolly is popular because it is less expensive than a trailer and easier to store. A trailer will protect the car somewhat from "road debris" and cause zero extra wear on tyres and bearings. It can also be used to haul "stuff" when not being used to haul the car. Your choice.
     
    #9 David Beale, Oct 16, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)