what have you TOWED with your prius?

Hey, what were your average MPGs? I plan to build a small travel trailer one day. Thanks.

 

I am thinking about getting one of those motorcycle "campers" (nothing more than a tent onto of a trailer). They are about 750# I would probably have another 750# of people and cargo in the cabin when towing. The car has about 135K mi, it is a '07. any thoughts or suggestions, am I expecting way too much? I don't want to get a second vehical just to go camping, but when I too my son camping this summer there just was not enough room in the cabin. We were shoehorned in there.

 

That's going to be nearly double the rated capacity of the Prius (which is 800# IIRC).

I've got a trailer that weighs about 5-600 lbs, and I never have more than 1 passenger and minimal cargo when towing... handling is poor and braking is downright horrible. Stopping distances are 2-3x in comparison to driving with one passenger and no cargo.

In your case, with 1500 lbs of weight, I'd count on a head-on collision at some point, and plan accordingly.

 

I've towed a 750 pound travel trailer about 1500 miles with my 2006. The power is adequate for freeway speeds so long as the hills aren't too long. In California, that means north/south, not east/west. The grapevine (I5 north of LA), is about the limit, and required backing off to about 50 mph on the split road coming north out of LA. No way would I even attempt going over the Rockies.

In California brakes are required on any trailer over 1500 pounds. They would be useful even at 750 pounds.

A Scangauge or Torque monitoring temperatures helps with knowing when to back off. I just used water temperature, but MG1/MG2 would probably be better. On a long pull, you can exhaust the traction battery, which leaves you with the gas engine only (85 hp?). Just join the trucks in the slow lane to give the engine a chance to recharge the traction battery. When you stop, leave the car in Ready for a while to keep the traction battery fan running.

In terms of handling, I think the Prius is comparable to a Corolla. It's no truck, but it is capable of towing a small trailer. The major difference from the Corolla is that the gas engine is less powerful. The traction battery / electric drive makes up for the lower power engine, but it can be drained by an extended long pull.

 

I addition to the firewood in the picture, stone for a fireplace, lumber, lawn tractor and more. As RobH noted, careful monitoring is crucial, but the car has proven quite capable. I've recently had several people at work that were so vehmently in denial that the car could tow, I was forced to bring it to work with the riding lawn mower, four 5 gallon buckets of crushed stone and my chain saw (for good measure, or course) in tow.

 

I have a "little guy" trailer that I tow everywhere, been to montana, colorado, yosemite, etc.... its about as big as the prius and looks funny but gets a lot of thumbs up

 

I have a TimeOut camper that I towed behind my motorcycle until we got our bigger campers that we pull with our truck. I'd like to pull the TimeOut with the Prius. It weighs 345 lbs. with a tongue weight of 20 lbs. Sounds like the Prius should do pretty well with it based on what some of you guys have been towing with yours . I probably had it weighing around 500 lbs. behind my bike with all of the camping stuff we used to take and believe me, I know what braking can be like, you try to look well ahead at all times . What kind of receiver/hitch are you using and where did you get it?

Thanks!

Steve

 

I got mine installed by U-Haul. Make an appointment, they'll have you in and out in about 30 minutes. Think it was a Curt hitch.

Had to do my own wiring but with the U-Haul kit that piggybacks your tail lights, that took only another 30 minutes. All in, I was done for just under $200.

 

I have seen a lot of discussion of the Curt hitch but what of the Reese?
Reese Towpower 77179 Class I Insta-Hitch 1-1/4" Square Tube Receiver

The Reese is $124. (free shipping) the Curt $136. (From Advance Auto with discount code & free shipping)

Is the Curt better made? Better clearance? Looks better?

 

$10 is chump change. Really gonna split hairs over this one?

 

> $10 is chump change. Really gonna split hairs over this one?

Actually $12. plus the cost of fewer accessories, which are included with the Resse but not the Curt, but you ignored the other 3 of 4 variables:

2. Is the Curt better made?

3. Better clearance?

4. Looks better?

 

Clearance isn't an issue unless your driveway has a 45 degree slope to it. Both hitches tuck under the bumper, only the rearmost part hangs out but a couple inches.

Buying a tow hitch for looks is like buying a Prius for racing. You gotta be kidding me if you're concerned about looks... you're driving a Prius ferchrissakes!

 

OK, so I gather your input is as follows:

1. $12. (really $25+ when missing Curt accessories are added-in) is an unimportant difference?

2. Is the Curt better made? (Quality comparison is unavailable or irrelevant?)

3. Better clearance? (One local grocery store causes hitches to bottom-out all the time. Is clearance 9", 11.5", ??", or irrelevant?)

4. Looks better? (You think your Prius is ugly? I don't agree, but then most suv/crossovers look like the much-demeaned Aztek, which I liked.)

 

You're so very right on every point you make, handygeek, why ever did I question your judgment? Forgive me for expressing any opinions that might have ever contradicted you! (Even if said opinions are based on math and science, such as the exit angle of the Prius w/ tow hitch being larger than the entry angle of the Prius w/ its front air dam)