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Towing the Prime

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by dfyffe, Jul 17, 2017.

  1. dfyffe

    dfyffe Junior Member

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    Hello all:

    I have a 2017 Prius Prime and I need to tow it behind an RV. Problem is, the Prime will not go up on any tilt trailer. I tried 2 different PJ trailers and the front of the Prime will hit before the tires hit the trailer, thus, causing damage to the front end if I were to proceed. I have gone back and forth with Toyota to the point of frustration. They say you can only use a dolly in an emergency for a short distance. They only recommend you tow it with all 4 wheels on a trailer. Issue is, I was told by the PJ Trailer distributor that all trailers are made to the same spec and therefore the Prime will not go up on any trailer made today without damage. Can anyone help me figure out if there is a trailer I can use to put the Prime on to tow it? I appreciate any good suggestions.
     
    #1 dfyffe, Jul 17, 2017
  2. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    Have you tried to use more graduated ramps, such as Home Depot gives you when you need to load equipment you are renting from them?
     
    #2 davecook89t, Jul 17, 2017
  3. NR427

    NR427 Member

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    I wonder why Toyota says not to use a dolly? (n)
     
    #3 NR427, Jul 17, 2017
  4. dave3057

    dave3057 Member

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    Gonna try to look into this when I get to work. (Toyota Dealership)
     
    #4 dave3057, Jul 18, 2017
  5. dave3057

    dave3057 Member

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    Gonna try to look into this when I get to work. (Toyota Dealership)
     
    #4 dave3057, Jul 18, 2017
  6. dave3057

    dave3057 Member

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    Gonna try to look into this when I get to work. (Toyota Dealership)
     
    #4 dave3057, Jul 18, 2017
  7. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    For the tilt trailer--
    --limit how far it tilts.
    --provide an additional ramp so the ramp angle is shallower.

    Does another brand of trailer, either tilting or with ramps, offer longer shallow angle ramps the Prius will fit on?
     
    #5 PT Guy, Jul 19, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2017
  8. OptimalPrime

    OptimalPrime Member

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    Agreed, and it doesn't need to be high-tech.

    Just put a pair of 2x6 boards maybe 3 ft long (or 2x12 if you don't want to have to aim well....) on the pavement leading to the ramp. Miter the back to match the angle of your ramp, so the car doesn't dip or kick out the board when it goes off the end of the board. Fiddle with the length and miter angle until you're happy.

    Stack more than one if you have to, putting longer ones under your first pair. That lets the car step up one board thickness at a time over whatever length is needed to keep the car from hitting them or the ramp.

    I've been doing this to get my Gen 2 onto steep old stamped-steel ramps without hitting the ramps, for doing oil changes. Once you get the exact setup you want (so that it works on slight slopes in any direction, with some safety margin for unusual conditions) then just nail them together so you don't have to adjust them every time you use them.
     
    #6 OptimalPrime, Oct 8, 2017
  9. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    Race cars are lower than passenger cars. Here's a solution.
     
    #7 William Redoubt, Oct 8, 2017
    benagi and priuscatprimeguy like this.
  10. Bjwinspect

    Bjwinspect Junior Member

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    Have you had anny success with towing your Prime? I have tried mine...it seemed to do ok on the dolly...after taking it off all sorts of warnings came up..(anti lock, power steering, brakes, lane departure ) after turning it on and off again these warnings cleared.. but the check engine light remained onntill i reset it with a scan guage. One person at the dealership told me it was not damaging anything, but Toyota's official stance was not to tow on a dolly..had to have all 4 wheels up. Interested to hear more what your experience has been.
     
    #8 Bjwinspect, May 27, 2018
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