Hey guys, So I'm part owner in a coffee shop and we've been toying with doing a food trailer for events and such. The trailer we're looking at would weigh just under 600 lbs with our equipment and everything. I know the owners manual says not to tow with the Prius C but considering the lightweight trailer would this be feasible? Just curious if anyone has towed with a C before.
Since the car is rated to carry 845 pounds (based on my 2012 Prius C owner's manual) then I don't see why it wouldn't be capable of towing a 600lb trailer. You wouldn't want to have a lot of other stuff (i.e., passengers) in the car, though.
Although the car is rated at 845 pounds...hopefully you distribute that weight around the car. I bought some 20lb (each) pieces of pavement for my yard and after 20 pieces (400lb) in the back of the trunk...dam, I thought I might've bent or broken the back axles (car's rear was almost lowered to the ground). I had to make a couple trips, since I wasn't going to bet on that 845lb rating to hold up and also I made sure to avoid going over 35mph. I think you can tow that 600lb, but just not at high speeds or constantly...your car's life is on the line
I agree the weight limit seems optimistic. I hauled a small bathroom vanity home (about a 2 hour drive) and I noticed the Prius' mpg took a dip just from the weight of the vanity. Dropped from 50.2 to 47.5 :/ needless to say I've pretty much convinced myself after writing that post it'd be a bad idea. However, I have seen a few 2nd Gen Prius' pulling small 4x6 trailers so I was curious what affects came from towing.
With a properly loaded trailer, most of the 600 pounds would be born on the trailer's wheels, not on car's hitch. The reason I refer to the car's rated load capacity is because that's what the drivetrain and braking systems are designed to handle. Oh yeah, it'll eat up a lot more gas for sure. The same thing happens when I drive around with 4 or 5 people in the car. There's a good reason why the manufacturers of fuel-efficient cars go to great lengths to cut down on weight. But just because the car gulps down more gas with the extra weight doesn't mean it can't handle the load - especially if the owner's manual says it can.
I have towed a small boat, less than 600 pounds but I barely feel it (at perhaps half that wt). Back a few cars ago we towed perhaps 500 pounds behind an econobox sub compact that also suggested no trailer in the owners manual. Over hill, dale, mountains and across most of the country with reduced fuel economy and no other problem then or later - with a very light tongue weight. Go for it! (must admit I am looking at a heavier boat and may try pulling twice your estimated wt for short, flat distances...)
Found a really old thread here, but it's got some info in it. Prius towing capacity? | PriusChat Myself, I wouldn't hesitate to tow a light trailer if I needed. Gotta do what you gotta do right? If you don't want to squat the suspension, just keep the tongue weight low.
I've tow a lot with my 2010 2015 LBs, but can't speak for the Prius C. What you might need to consider first is this is a Commercial application...and all the infers.
Thanks for all your replies! I’ve spoken with the company who makes the food truck trailers and depending on what size of trailer 4x7 or 5x8 we can be looking at 550 lbs to around 1,100 (top weight being steel trailer vs aluminum) obviously I wouldn’t even attempt the larger but it gives us more options in towing if we go with the 4x7. As to frequency, the Prius C would be the back up vehicle not the main towing vehicle. It’s always good to have a back up!
I'll agree with the others - if it's for a business application - don't put your personal vehicle on the line if the manual specifically says don't tow. If there's an accident, and it becomes an issue - they'll point right to that manual, and you will be liable. This is the reality of living in the US. This is why cars that can't tow here often can tow a lot overseas. Liability.
