What will do the Least Damage?

Go for a hitch and the trailer. No need to load and unload to take your toys out for fun. Easy, too. And won't affect mileage when not in use (trailer in the garage, no aero affect).

 

If you subtract your car's curb weight from its GVWR, you get the amount of cargo weight the car is rated to carry (which has to include the weight of you). If you subtract the weight of your trailer and gear, and make sure not to load stuff in the car beyond the capacity that is left over, then you won't be overloading the transmission or the raw capacity of the brakes.

However, you should still be pretty careful driving, as even with the same amount of overall cargo weight, moving it aft into the trailer may make your handling and braking squirrelly. The "zero pound" tow rating for the car, as much as it has to do with the transmission, has as much to do with them not testing the driving dynamics with a trailer, not having anything for that programmed into the ABS, stability control, brake force distribution, etc.

On the other hand, they may not have programmed any of that stuff for a kayak on top, either....

-Chap

 

I agree with the trailer for both, no aero loss from your roof, less weight on the Prius, rolling weight when starting and stopping carefully isn’t a problem, easy peasy

 

It's not a cvt. It's a one-speed transmission without a clutch. Very simple. Very durable. Many Prius owners tow. I have never seen a post indicating issues with towing.

 

You need to do a search. The owners manual states very plainly that the Prius is not designed for towing. There have been multiple discussions over the years and the manual has been cited regularly.

 

A Prius pulling Class 1 will not hurt the car.

 

Can you point to even one post that refers to real damage from towing and not just the statement of the manual? I can't. Hold on just a minute so I can get some popcorn. OK. I am ready.

 

Just be sure to let the next owner know you were towing. You have no way of knowing what it does to the drive train and suspension. I am guessing that the Toyota engineers had a reason for saying do not tow.