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towed a trailer 1200 mi, 52mpg!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by isibrigade, Feb 28, 2010.

  1. isibrigade

    isibrigade Junior Member

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    SAN DIEGO to MENDECINO, CA and back.

    Curt hitch.
    I built this custom trailer for the tandem and some camping gear. Modified a Build-it-yourself in-the-box trailer I bought off ebay to extend the tongue and allow more room for the tandem. I took a yakima rack and extended it to mount the bike. Only used it once so far, but everything stayed on.

    With all the camping gear and tandem bike loaded, I doubt the rig weighed more than 350lbs.

    Stopped in monteray bay for this quick pic. Fun times.

    just over 52mpg, about 1,200 miles round-trip.
     

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    #1 isibrigade, Feb 28, 2010
    arjanmeijerman, mecha1000, speakchucker and 2 others like this.
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Multiple postings confuse and clutter the forums. Try to pick the best thread and post there. If you absolutely must post in more than one thread, use a link rather than duplicating the entire post.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Feb 28, 2010
  3. PRIUS007

    PRIUS007 James Bond -007

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    Not bad mileage towing there.

    I don't really know as well if this belongs in the 'Modifications' section.
     
    #3 PRIUS007, Feb 28, 2010
  4. isibrigade

    isibrigade Junior Member

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    I did mention the fact that I installed a Curt . . .and designed/built a custom trailer just for the prius. . .but I don't know, maybe it belongs somewhere else.:confused:
     
    #4 isibrigade, Mar 1, 2010
  5. isibrigade

    isibrigade Junior Member

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    The only thing cluttering this forum is unnecessary posts like these.

    I know that people like you might get confused when reading a duplicate post, which is why I mentioned it was a duplicate post in the other section. I also went on to explain why I posted in both sections as it is relevant to both. For your sake, next time I will post a link though.
     
    #5 isibrigade, Mar 1, 2010
    Joeman200 and triumph1 like this.
  6. mikeysaid

    mikeysaid Junior Member

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    52mpg over 1200 miles WITH A TRAILER??? what is your secret? you always go 55? how'd you do it?
     
    #6 mikeysaid, Mar 1, 2010
  7. isibrigade

    isibrigade Junior Member

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    By CA law, speed limit = 55mph while towing anyways. I will say that there were some stretches of the HWY 5 that I was doing well over 65 when searching for bathrooms for the kids.:D
     
    #7 isibrigade, Mar 2, 2010
  8. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    Nice work on the trailer, and great mpg! Congrats, and thanks for sharing.

    Got any pics or guidance about the wiring on the car?

    What was the kit called, and what do they sell for?
     
    #8 ksstathead, Mar 2, 2010
  9. isibrigade

    isibrigade Junior Member

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    Wiring info I took from Darells page "Prius Trailer Wiring (Plug 'n' Play)" http://www.evnut.com/
    Followed the instructions and things went well. (outside of pulling the wires from the harness)

    Trailer Kit purchased on ebay was one of these:

    Brand New Utility Trailer 860 lb load Motorcycle ATV * : eBay Motors (item 320495123386 end time Mar-07-10 19:00:45 PST)

    I was insipired by Darells Sportsrig, but very unwilling to drop $1300 on a trailer. This $150 deal on Ebay fit my pocketbook a little better.

    After assembling the kit, I made some modifications. I added a stainless flatbed platform. Just used a leftover 1/16" sheet from a project with leftovers. I had it sheared to the dimensions I needed.

    I also machined an extension for the tongue to allow for more room for the tandem. This also makes it much eaiser to drive with. The longer the tongue, the less 'sensitive' the trailer will be when backing into a parking spot or driveway.

    The Yakima rack you see was cut in half. I made an extension to allow for the tandem and it was mounted with some bolts to the trailer.
     
    #9 isibrigade, Mar 3, 2010
    3 people like this.
  10. owenxguo

    owenxguo New Member

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    wow that's great MPG
     
    #10 owenxguo, Mar 4, 2010
  11. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    You should plan on doing an early Transmission fluid (Toyota type WS) refresh as your HSD is working harder than normal when loaded with even a light trailer. The interval suggested by lab testing ATF in a Gen2 Prius is 60k miles. Do your first exchange at 30k miles and send in a sample (use a clean poly bottle - about 2 oz) for testing (about $100 for new ATF at a dealer, $25 for lab testing at R&G Laboratories, Inc or PdMA Corporation - Oil Analysis - Excellence in Lubricant Analysis with viscosity index) and report the results here.

    JeffD
     
    #11 jdenenberg, Mar 5, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  12. isibrigade

    isibrigade Junior Member

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    Maybe something I'll look into. . .
    Would you expect me to find something foul? I can imagine a difference if I did this on a regular basis, but this haul doesn't even represent 5% of the cars total lifespan in milage.
    I would say that the daily wear and tear from the way my wife drives would exceed that of towing our trailer anyways.

    HER MPG = 38

    MY MPG = 56 :D
     
    #12 isibrigade, Mar 9, 2010
  13. speakchucker

    speakchucker Junior Member

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    Isi, can you tell me what bike rack you're using there? I'd love one!
     
    #13 speakchucker, Mar 10, 2010
  14. imOCD4a_prius

    imOCD4a_prius Member

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    I need information about towing a ''mini-trailer' @ approx. 750lbs.
    Thank you in advance
     
    #14 imOCD4a_prius, Oct 22, 2018
  15. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Interesting strategery, resurrecting an almost 9-year-old post!
    :p

    Executive Summary:
    1. Use the Googles to find a receiver....such as....
    Reese Towpower Hitch Class III, 2" Box Opening, Model #51195 - Walmart.com

    2. Source a small trailer at one of the big-box stores.....
    https://www.lowes.com/pd/Carry-On-Trailer-5-ft-x-8-ft-Wire-Mesh-Utility-Trailer-with-Ramp-Gate/3005264?cm_mmc=SCE_BINGPLA_ONLY-_-ToolsAndHardware-_-TrailersRampsAndTowing-_-3005264:Carry-On_Trailer&CAWELAID=&kpid=3005264&CAGPSPN=pla{ifdyn:dyn}&k_clickID=900e25a2-46fd-4789-903f-d898de735bcb&msclkid=f794ffd8737c16a275cea415801a0edc

    A 5x8' wire mesh trailer will be about 350#, and even a 12-year-old Prius should be able to tow light loads on this trailer relatively short distances.

    3. Lights:
    You live in Florida.
    Nobody I've seen there uses trailer lights.
    There should be instructions with the receiver kit in case you plan to travel out of state.
    BE CAREFUL if you tow long distances or at interstate speeds!
    Pulling a load is easy-peasy....
    It's the turning and stopping that always messes people up!

    4. Registration/Tags:
    See #3: Lights.

    5. With your towing parameters you should not have to get into load leveling or electric brakes.

    Priuses have something like an 800# cargo budget - pax included.
    Don't tow stupid and you won't get into trouble.

    Good Luck!
     
    #15 ETC(SS), Oct 22, 2018
  16. imOCD4a_prius

    imOCD4a_prius Member

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    Thanks for the quick reply. I now have a bit more info of the trailer my son is GIVING us...it's a "
    SignaTour Campers Teardrop Trailer
    approx 860# (oh oh ?)
    it's name: "Tote 5+" 5 X 8

    Hope the info helps you & others help me out. I'd NEVER tow anything w/o lights. Growing 'up north' in Ct. taught me better. :)
    PS My son just reminded me he towed this , fully packed w/ a/c w/ his Fiat. B-4 he got his truck & a larger camper for his family. So, if an Italian 4Cyl, made by my pisons can tow it-you'd think a PRIUS should ? !
     

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    #16 imOCD4a_prius, Oct 22, 2018
  17. arjanmeijerman

    arjanmeijerman Junior Member

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    Are you allowed to tow a trailer behind a prius of that generation?
    Here in Europe you are committing a felony when towing any trailer behind a prius since it is not certified for towing..

    Verstuurd vanaf mijn LG-M700 met Tapatalk
     
    #17 arjanmeijerman, Oct 23, 2018
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