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What is a safe max trailer load?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Jim Caldwell, Jul 30, 2020.

  1. Jim Caldwell

    Jim Caldwell Member

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    I have a 2010 prius. Also a 5x8 ft tractor supply trailer. Currently i pull it with a Jetta tdi. Could i also pull it with my prius? And with what load? It would be for trips of not over 50 miles and only a few times a year at most.
     
    #1 Jim Caldwell, Jul 30, 2020
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I acknowledge that Toyota says "don't tow with a Prius" and I have towed with my own Prius, and I've never had a towing-related mishap.

    I stick to the published weight limit for the car which (from memory) is around 900lb for my version of the car. That's what the car's brakes are built to stop, so that's the limit I honor.

    After allowing for my own mass and any planned passengers, the trailer and its load gets the remainder; yes some trailers will max it out before you even put a payload in them.

    And that's the point.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jul 30, 2020
    scona likes this.
  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    This has been a huge talking point for the Prius for a while.
    The bottom line, DO NOT TOW ANYTHING.
    But there are always those who will do it anyway. Just because someone tells them they can't.
    Putting innocent people at risk, and themselves also.
    Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you should.
    Just because "I've never had a problem" doesn't mean it's safe.

    When I use to listen to commercials, some use to say most accidents happen with 2 miles from home....
    Don't know how true that is, but they don't say who's home. :)
     
    #3 ASRDogman, Jul 30, 2020
    spiralhelix likes this.
  4. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    Speed is a huge part of the safety question also. The force of an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration (F=ma) -- or in this case de-acceleration.
     
    #4 Johnny Cakes, Jul 30, 2020
  5. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    Most accidents happen near "your" own home because that is where most of "your" miles are.
    And you are more comfortable near your home and not always paying attention as much when you are elsewhere

    Mike
     
    #5 3PriusMike, Jul 30, 2020
    Raytheeagle and Leadfoot J. McCoalroller like this.
  6. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Not me... 98% of my driving is away from my home....

     
    #6 ASRDogman, Jul 30, 2020
    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller likes this.
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