Prius pulling an RV? What do you pull !!

In case you have not noticed, the Gen 4 Prius has an official tow rating now of 725 kg (1600 lb) in the UK. The power and torque have actually gone down a little from Gen 3 at the same time.

 

I finally finished my custom E cohitch and torque arm install, and most of my rewiring, in preparation for picking up our new Safari Condo Alto F1743 this July. I have the Firestone Airbag kit but aborted my installation. The instructions say to install tube end down, but after trying one, I was very uncomfortable with the location of the tube, could easily catch on something, and will be subject to all of the suspension travel. If I install the other way around (tubes on top), the look much more at home, except that the spacer disc wants to squirt out the side of the spring.
For folks who have the airbags, how did you deal with this? (By the way, I see that my previous posts went in under my wife's Facebook identity, Robin McGee, so that is me above too!)

 

A few more pics...

 

Hehe

SM-N920V ?

 

Thanks, I missed that post somehow. Have you checked to see if the air lines are chafing at all from the suspension movement? That was my main concern with putting them tube down. I'm not understanding your question about the Safari. I am putting the air springs in my '13 Prius for towing the Safari Condo brand Alto 1743 trailer.

 

So get the plastic wire protector things and put around the air lines

SM-N920V ?

 

After all of that work, money, publicity, and build up, I have finally chickened out (or seen the light depending on your perspective). Yesterday I went and traded in the older Prius on a low mileage 2012 Highlander Hybrid to pull the Alto with. :-(

I used "flattestroute.com" to look up the slopes for our pick-up of the trailer in July, lots of highway hills between 6 & 10% slope. We were holding back on trailer options we wanted, and even then the Alto and our stuff we're looking to be upwards of 2200 pounds. If we were buying the trailer locally, I would hold out and try it, but the dealer is 600 miles away and the maiden voyage was going to Include over 1200 miles of towing. After re-reading all of the (legitimate) posts on this list, I realized that I would likely be pushing the envelope beyond the breaking point. This way we can have the trailer finished with the options we really want, not skimp on what we pack, and have a much more worry free trip.

I guess I will try to sell my custom Torklift Ecohitch and air bags. They would be good for anyone considering a smaller trailer with a heavy tongue weight. Do you mind if I use this list to post them with photos, once I remove it from our 2013 Prius?

 

We have a dedicated private party for sale sub-forum for this exact purpose: Private Sales | PriusChat

 

Thx to the prior posters here for the ideas and motivation.

Just installed
Torque Central 2" hitch
Firestone airbags "4136" W23-760-4136 kit

Bags mounted tube side up hose routed up and into the trunk near traction battery connection (posted by tplife). I ordered a T splitter with intention of joining under car but choose not too as to avoid left/right suspension interaction. Lines that come with kit are long enough to route up that hole and out the vent by passenger side tail light.

Original height pre bags
Front: 26.25"
Rear: 26.5"

While on still on jack, partway lowered, top and bottom of bag touching purches: 27.5"

Fully on ground
No load in car, 1/4 tank of gas: 30lbs in bags = 27.25"


Thx all
Junky

2010 Gen3 @148k miles

 

I was told to sign a waiver of liability when I asked for a yard of dirt / compost that was 1,800 lbs. I'm monitoring all temperature probes and have alarms set using Torque. No issues at all, although I only pulled 5 miles.

 

I wanted to weigh in about a couple things about towing, and about loading a Prius (or any vehicle). About towing: Your vehicle has to be able to get the trailer moving, and stop it, so the engine and brakes have to be able to handle the combined weight of towing vehicle, trailer, people, and stuff. Also, make sure the trailer weighs less than the towing vehicle; whichever weighs more will determine where you go. This is how rigs flip over. I notice you have a brake controller, so I'm assuming the trailer has electric brakes, which would be an absolute must for safety. About towing with a Prius: The weight capacity for a Prius is 800 lbs (that's people and stuff, in and on the vehicle, including a trailer). The Prius V can handle 900 lbs. If you go over this, it will cause mechanical failure sooner rather than later. The magic of towing is that you are pulling the weight rather than lifting or carrying it, increasing the weight capacity to some degree, but if you are pulling up a hill or have to stop suddenly, it may stress the vehicle beyond what it is designed to do, causing a breakdown and/or accident. Having said that, I'm considering pulling a small trailer with my Prius, but I'm looking for something very small and light to carry bikes.

 

Trailers - Yakima

 

1195 lb. Capacity 48 in. x 96 in. Heavy Duty Folding Trailer