2010 prius towing?

Check local law, in Australia it is illegal to tow any weight trailer with a Prius.
Manufacturers rated towing capacity braked or unbraked = 0kg

 

You do realize that the Prius doesn't have a CVT in any conventional sense of the word, so stating that other cars with CVTs can tow is meaningless.

Tom

 

I don't understand why people want to defeat the aerodynamic drag coefficient with add ons like racks and trailers. I go camping, but want all my gear packed in a slip stream capsule for the trip down the highway.

 

The answer is simple: not everything will fit inside of a Prius. For example, it's pretty hard to fit a 17' canoe inside. I suppose you could cut it into pieces, or perhaps compact it into a block, but that might hurt the utility of it just a tiny bit, and certainly make it harder to paddle.

Tom

 

If it was possible to fit a Jetski in the back of an enclosed Prius your post would have made more sense.

 

I actually LOL'ed. Thanks Tom

 

Agreed, especially with rear drum brakes like the NHW11 and NHW20s. The ZVW30 are much improved.

If my vehicle display is limited, I would monitor the traction battery temperature before MG2 temperature. The traction battery can be 'heat pumped' to higher temperatures from the exothermic charging on the downgrades. For sure, use "B" at every opportunity when descending. When towing, the goal should be on reducing stress on the Prius by using lower speeds and "B" on the downgrades.

Bob Wilson

 

Are you serious? How much difference will a bike rack make? (shakes head) It's not on permanently anyway. How else do you travel with two mountain bikes?

 

It will make a huge difference, depending on the type of rack. The Prius has very good aerodynamics, unlike most cars. Sticking anything into the airflow will have a noticeable effect.

As for not being on permanently, that is the key. It's all about priorities. If you want to go biking, you have to carry bicycles.

Tom

 

Assuming that one needs to tow something, how and where does one get and mount a good tow hitch?
Thanks

 

Curt hitch is generally considered the best for the Prius. Mounting it is simple if you can use hand tools.

Tom

 

Keep in mind a trailer will add more rolling resistance from tires and aerodynamic drag. So, if you have 500 lb trailer/load and 325lb occupants, it's effectively more than the 825 payload limit of the car.

I'm sure the new Prius would be pretty bad at towing 1,200 lbs.

 

I think the GVWR is for what you put IN the car, so as not to exceed the axle ratings or the ability of the brakes to stop the car.

 

Is one better off towing a trailer(400lbs) and putting most of the stuff one would take IN the Prius in the trailer instead?

I load the Prius up to the top usually for a trip to PA and last year was just off balance enough that the gas guage was off by 2-3 bars. This year not need as much but still a bunch as left most there in a storage unit.

 

HowStuffWorks "How Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Works" discusses GVWR. It's also important as it relates to how heavily loaded the tires are.

 

I've towed a 560 pound teardrop size trailer behind a 2006. The mileage was about 32 mpg instead of the more usual 47. It all worked, but the legal speed limit is 55 with a trailer here in California. If it's all equipment that fits inside the car, then that would probably be better than towing the trailer. Another option would be a roof rack, although that has got to make a similar impact on mileage and wind sensitivity.

 

... or you could buy or rent a different vehicle if you want to tow something.

 

Hmm. Ok It seems everyone here is against this idea complete. I am a very avid prius owner. I plan on buying another prius in the next year or so for the wife. so she doesn't have to drive our other vehicle(07 dodge ram v8).

I just purchased a curt hitch for my 08 prius after much reading. i have a <200lb jet ski trailer and a 400-500lb motorcycle I plan on hauling with it. I think it should be similar as to driving the car with 4-5 grown people in it(avg 150-200lb each) aside from the added wind drag.

This all being said. I've seen people in the past pull small trailers and I would just like to save a little bit more money on long road trips getting 30-40mpg instead of 17-20mpg in my truck.