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2014 Prius Plug-in to tow an est 368lbs (wet weight) Sports Motorcycle.. Legal at California?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by ThatOddMan, Nov 27, 2020.

  1. ThatOddMan

    ThatOddMan Junior Member

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    Will I get pulled over by the cops for doing that?

    I read other older threads but not sure if those are California or other States.

    If I do that though, I will only do streets not freeway driving?

    Will the Prius tipped backwards if I use the rack type instead of a light trailer?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #1 ThatOddMan, Nov 27, 2020
  2. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    some of us have loaded double that weight into the car .... even Gen 2. If your trailer is legal - the highway patrol doesn't run you thru weigh scales. That said, your inverter works extra hard fully loaded (especially on hills & in summer) as do your brakes.
    .
     
    #2 hill, Nov 28, 2020
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  3. Deoc

    Deoc Member

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    Almost everything in cali is illegal these days, even lighst off went raining is a fine, while i dont see a problem with the prius towing that much weigh just think if you would have 4 passengers at 200 lb each thats almost 400 kg the car can easy pull that much weight, and u wont probably have any issues, but the problen maybe because the prius is not desgined to tow a trailer and a cop wants to ruin your day they may say its illegal, not sure about this but i wouln't do it unless really short distance and back streets only and because you are in California.
     
    #3 Deoc, Dec 2, 2020
  4. QuantumFireball

    QuantumFireball Active Member

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    Wouldn't it be more of an insurance issue, as the car is not rated for towing?
     
    #4 QuantumFireball, Dec 2, 2020
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Neither of those things really is "towing".
    One is hauling on a rack; the other is pulling a trailer.
    Trailer is fine.....if it has a proper hitch and is registered.

    I don't think I would try to do that on a rack, "legal" or not.
    Too many things can go wrong.
    And I suspect that your weight exceeds the allowed "hitch weight".
     
    #5 sam spade 2, Dec 2, 2020
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  6. ThatOddMan

    ThatOddMan Junior Member

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    If something breaks, then probably.

    Anyway, I am scheduled to take my CMSP training next week. Then do the DMV CA written test. Already failed twice though on that written test. So I have my 3rd try later after the CMSP training. If I fail on the written test again, then that will be another $37 to pay to re-do the application. But hopefully I will pass the written test as well as the CMSP training. That way, I don't need to tow any motorcycle using my Prius.
     
    #6 ThatOddMan, Dec 11, 2020
  7. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Too heavy for a rack, but it is within limits for a trailer, this would tow fine.
     
    #7 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 11, 2020
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