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Towing advice needed.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by qdllc, Jul 29, 2014.

  1. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    RE: Gen III Prius (2013)

    I might be making a move soon. One option I'm considering is to take just the Prius packed as full as I can manage. Being able to add a trailer (U-Haul) would give me more cargo capacity I can bring, but that means adding a towing hitch. Keep in mind I'd then have a loaded trailer AND the Prius packed full.

    Looking about this site, I see that people doing serious towing do more than just add a receiver hitch to the Prius (air springs, etc.), and that's way more money than I want to spend to manage a single move. Without those "extras" it seems the most the Prius can safely handle is a lightweight add-on like a bike carrier (or really small trailer) but nothing bigger than that.

    Input? Thoughts? Experience?

    I have other "options" for this possible move, but I may not want to use them.

    1. Getting a rental truck and vehicle trailer to tow the Prius = TOO EXPENSIVE.

    2. I have a pickup truck, and it could tow the Prius, but that's $370 (what I'm measuring against). I was planning to just fly home (or get home by any means) AND return with the pickup towing a U-Haul loaded with the rest of my stuff on a future date once I was settled in at the new location.

    3. I might be able to tow a small trailer (U-Haul) with the Prius, but I'm then looking at $200-350 to install a hitch and THEN another $250+ for a trailer rental.

    My concern is not being able to get all my "essentials" in the Prius, but for $370, I could either buy stuff where I am going or just UPS pre-packed boxes of what won't fit to my new location.
     
    #1 qdllc, Jul 29, 2014
  2. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    Your big problem is that Uhaul probably won't allow you to put a trailer behind your car. Have you checked into that first? If that is the case, you may have to buy a trailer which would add to your cost.
     
    #2 mrstop, Jul 29, 2014
  3. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Read this thread:
    Prius pulling an RV? What do you pull !! | PriusChat

    How did you arrive at $370 ?

    Moving it all in one trip sounds the most convenient and cheapest overall to me.
    Be sure to put the Prius on a platform. Letting two wheels drag on the road is a BIG mistake.

    U-haul has a software on their website that tells you whether the tow is 'recommended.' I don't know if recommended is mandatory, and what variables the program uses. You will certainly need a hitch spec'd for over 3000 lbs.
     
    #3 SageBrush, Jul 29, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 30, 2014
  4. neez

    neez Member

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    #4 neez, Jul 29, 2014
  5. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    I tried, but it was so much info about what you COULD do, and I'm wanting to nail down what the Prius could handle with nothing more than a towing hitch. My understanding from that thread is that many did several mods to their Prius to enable them to tow what they were towing.

    I take U-Haul's recommendations with a huge bag of salt.

    It may sound defiant, but I see "tow limits" as underestimated to prevent people from exceeding what the vehicle can truly handle. I've found the weight of a U-Haul trailer actually pushes to the max of what a light pickup is rated to tow. In spite of this, I've towed twice a lot more than what my "tow limit" rating is with no trouble. You have to drive carefully and allow a lot of distance for starting and stopping, but it's quite doable....especially if you don't do it everyday.

    $370 is the cost of a U-Haul one-way, flatbed vehicle transport rental (pull the Prius behind the pickup truck).

    ***

    It's largely moot now. I didn't get the job, so I won't be making the move.

    I did some measuring and found that I should be able to get all my "essentials" into the Prius. A king-size bed (Sleep Number bed breaks down into parts), computer desk, folding table and chairs plus the most essential of clothing items. All of it should fit inside the Prius if you make effective use of packing space.
     
    #5 qdllc, Jul 29, 2014
  6. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Sorry to hear the job fell through. Better luck next time!
    Presumably you can also use the truck to haul stuff in its bed in addition to towing. It was that thought that convinced me to recommend the all-in-one-go approach.

    Since this might come up again, I suggest you scan the thread I mentioned. Along with other people, I posted hitch and light kit recommendations and places to buy. My experience was towing a 4x8 hauler with my Prius vagon.
     
    #6 SageBrush, Jul 29, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2014
  7. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    #7 mrstop, Jul 29, 2014
  8. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    This is my general findings:
    You need a class 1 hitch rating ( maximum 2000 lbs towing weight; maximum 200 lbs tongue weight ) ; air springs ( if over 1000 lbs weight of trailer and cargo ) : electric brakes ( if total weight of trailer and cargo is over 1000 lbs ); and an aerodynamic style trailer and the cargo loaded aerodynamically, this is a must.

    Drive slow and keep your distance for SAFETY.:)
     
    #8 engerysaver, Jul 29, 2014
  9. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Yeah....that's a lot more $$$ than I'd want to invest in just to haul a moving trailer. Also what I figured would be involved.
     
    #9 qdllc, Jul 30, 2014
  10. drysider

    drysider Active Member

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    The only advice you should get from PriusChat concerning towing is: Don't. The car is not designed to tow anything and the hitches available do not come with any kind of reliable ratings....regardless of what the manufacturer says. I would not want to be the buyer of a used Prius that spent very much time towing anything. Any other advice comes with whatever liability the lawyers can come up with.
     
    #10 drysider, Jul 30, 2014
  11. slonis888

    slonis888 New Member

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    #11 slonis888, Jul 31, 2014
  12. slonis888

    slonis888 New Member

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    #12 slonis888, Jul 31, 2014
  13. slonis888

    slonis888 New Member

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    #13 slonis888, Jul 31, 2014
  14. slonis888

    slonis888 New Member

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    #14 slonis888, Jul 31, 2014
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