Towing and Max speeds of Prius

How fast have you gone in your Prius C? | PriusChat

 

Most of us with trailer hitches are mounting bike or cargo racks, not pulling real trailers.

If a car maker gives a tow rating, then people are going to take that as clearance to pull said trailer weight (plus a bit more) over Vail Pass (7+% grade, 70+ mph, at 10,000+ feet). Flatlanders pulling at lower speeds will be putting less stress on the vehicle, so should be able to get away with more than the stated tow rating. But they must exercise reasonable caution, and are on their own for warranty purposes.

 

Nope. It says if you exceed 85 mph you should have high speed rated tires.




I get nervous at 110 kmh or higher, would much rather stick around 80 kmh, seek out roads that have lower limits. Our young whippersnaper highway minister just raised a lot of highway speed limits. Experienced some of the 120 kmh highways last summer, nobody was at the limit, stayed lower: 100~110. Fine by me.

 

Whew! My alter ego drives about 85MPH on the way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Engine failure? That would be detrimental. Glad it's only about tires. But I'd better check my tires to make sure they can handle 85MPH. But my alter ego doesn't drive faster that that because handling the car becomes an issue.

Mike

 

the speed rating of your tires may be expressed in several dialects 225/50SR16 225/50SR16 89S or 225/50R16 89S
Where S is the speed rating.

L 75 mph 120 km/h Off-Road & Light Truck Tires
M 81 mph 130 km/h Temporary Spare Tires
N 87 mph 140km/h
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

You are fooling yourself if you think your Prius needs under Q or over T.

 

I regularly drive up to 80 mph till that speed handling is Ok. On long trip 85, but I don't like handling there, especially when a gust side wind. But I would expect it from this type of cars. Never thought it could be engine issue from this speed, it's not even 100mph.

 

okay. welcome to priuschat!

i would not exceed 85 mph, unless the cops were chasing me.

i may consider a small lightweight trailer someday though.

 

She'll max out around 116mph depending on grade and battery soc. I've beat the crap out of these cars doing autocross, both a Gen 2 and a Gen 3. Never had any issues. If I can't break one I'd be surprised if the average customer could.

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Thanks, man! What tires do you recommend? Handling closer to 85 mph already not so great.

 

Well I've done this on countless occasions with the OE tires LOL. Never felt unstable, but of course none of the cars had full OE suspension either. Front sway bar swap on my current '15 Persona and OE Toyos feels fine up to max speed.

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I think suspension what makes a big difference. Is it expensive to make a moderate improvement?

 

Any tire can do 85 mph all day as long if it's inflated properly. The speed ratings are conservative to allow for idiots to run them at those speeds with under-inflated pressures.

I'm certainly going to tow once I get my 2" hitch. I've got my eye on one of those folding Harbor Freight 4' x 8' trailers, and I'll haul as much as it can fit. Probably mostly yard debris or some building materials. I'll adjust my driving behavior to account for the load.

 

Depends on what you want. You could install front and rear sway bars for around $300.

SM-G900V ?