Prius pulling an RV? What do you pull !!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by engerysaver, Jun 16, 2013.

  1. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    Flat level roads and small hills, I say OK; ..... Mountains, large climbs, NO!! My reason is of the added stress going up a mountain or large climb.Your weight is all ready 2100 LBs, over 100 LBs over limit of hitch. Class 1 hitch is tested at least 50% more than rating of 2000 lbs on hitch ( at least 3000 lbs test ). I would do my best to keep your weight under 2000 LBs. The added stress would be too much, in my opinion. In my travels, I have not been in the mountains. The Prius uni-weld undercarriage is similar to other Toyota vehicles rated at 1500 LBs towing.

    If only you could find a lighter RV for mountains? I do not think you are going to find one!!

    I was looking at the tear drop trailer for traveling in the mountains, with my Prius; but my wife wanted a full restroom. Maybe by now, they might have one?
     
    #181 engerysaver, Aug 5, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2014
  2. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    I figured it would be too much.

    The T@B comes in a full bath which is why I love it and it's lite since it's made from Aluminum and Fiberglass.

    The Yaris in UK is rated for 1945lbs of towing with the same chassis as the C but the C has more reinforcements.

    I still plan on towing a Watercraft. Ill start with the 650lbs one then maybe try the 1200lbs larger one if all goes well.

    I guess the T@B, if I ever get it, would need to be tow with my Defender which has a tow limit of 8824lbs.
     
    #182 priusCpilot, Aug 5, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2014
  3. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    Are you sure the T@B is 2100 LBs?
    I thought it was about 1600 dry.
    The T@B is more aerodynamic than what I have!!(y)

    The Yaris in UK; the 1945 LBs, is that weight in US LBs?:unsure:
     
  4. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    Yes your right it's 1650lbs for the Maxx. I wrote that and mentioned that by the time its loaded up with fluid and gear its going to be 500+lbs more.

    Yes it's in LBs same as the US but the hyrbid is not rated for towing which mean it can tow low loads lol.

    I think its an issue with the cooling system on the HSD not ment for 2000 lbs of towing.

    If we add a transmission cooler with pump + engine oil cooler and maybe see how the inverter is doing it would do it no problem.

    I don't think the radiator will be an issue especially if we cool the engine oil and HSD.
     
  5. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    Britprius posted this in," WHAT HAVE YOU TOWED WITH YOUR PRIUS " :

    I am now a member of the towing brigade towing a caravan. Only done 380 miles so far at an average of 43 mpg (UK gallons) with the van in tow.
    The van "pictured below" is 19ft 8 inches overall length, 7ft 2 inches wide, 8ft 6 inches high. The unladen weight is 1792 lbs, and maximum gross weight is 2420 lbs.
    It has it's own electric drive to each wheel for parking in tight spaces, or driving up to the tow bar on the car. (no reversing the car into the draw bar) This is controlled by a hand held radio control controlling the drive direction of each wheel. This means you can spin the van round in it's own length driving one wheel forwards and the other in reverse. I believe this system is illegal in the US.
    The van is pulled well behind the Prius at 50 mph (the maximum legal speed limit in the UK for towing except on motorways where it is 60 mph) with no stability or braking problems, the van having it's on very efficient braking system.
    No pictures as yet attached to the car but these will follow after the next outing.
    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
    Reich Move Control english Image Video - YouTube
    Video starts about 2min 30seconds in.
    John (Britprius)
     
  6. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    Prius ICE is cold natured in general!!
    It is the inverter what you have to worry about.

    Check out the " Britprius " comment's !!:)
     
    #186 engerysaver, Aug 7, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2014
  7. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    Wow looks like hes pulling with the Gen 2?

    Amazing! I wounder how he does on hills? That's where the issue will be with heat?
     
  8. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    As large as the trailer is ; it's light weight.
    His trailer looks pretty aerodynamic, too!!

    I agree; how it does on large hills?
     
  9. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    The UK is cooler then South West so that sure helps.

    Maybe shorter trips are OK but trans continental journeys???

    Would be nice to hear about temps?

    How about this?

     
    #189 priusCpilot, Aug 8, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2014
    markabele likes this.
  10. thomas goddard

    thomas goddard Junior Member

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    Well I think the people that are pulling small RV's (trailers that weigh 1700-1900#'s are taxing their Prius's to the limits of their cars. I myself am about to purchase a motorcycle pull behind camping tent trailer that will be between 225-350#'s dry weight ( Aspen Sentry, Mini Mate, Lees-ure Lite, Bunkhouse Queen, or the Roll-A-Home trailers all fall into this category) and keep a maximum of 100#'s of camp gear stored in the trailer (small stove, sleeping bag, clothes, camp chair, folding aluminum table,) and carry a small cooler, cooking stuff and food storage containers in the Prius. There are a lot of folks that are towing these trailers with their Prius according to the web. I am quite positive that I will not have a problem with my Prius towing one of these light weight trailers. Just my input guys.
     
  11. davekro

    davekro Member

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  12. davekro

    davekro Member

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    energysaver or others... I'd love to hear of your choices/ tradeoffs/ decision process in selection a travel trailer to tow behind your Gen III (or Gen III PiP, even better ;)
    Energy saver, have you posted pics of your Midget, Midget and Prius loaded for a trip, any mods, etc? A brief look into trailer brake controllers showed some different types. Is there a preferred type?

    Thanks, Dave
     
  13. mich

    mich New Member

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    I'm just looking to learn about the experience of other owners who have chosen to tow ... and yes, I too like the Teardrop ... which at 1250 lbs. (empty) may be the lightest out there. Of course, adding gear (kayaks, etc), the overall weight may top out around 1750 - 2000 lbs. Wondering if this is just asking more than a 2010 III can comfortably manage?
     
  14. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    A teardrop might be the way to go in the mountains(y); with the total weight of trailer and load about 1500....maybe 1600 LBs max. The lighter, the better it will be.:)

    You need a class 1 hitch rating ( maximum 2000 lbs towing weight; maximum 200 lbs tongue weight ) ; air springs ( if over 1000 lbs weight of trailer and cargo ) : electric brakes ( if total weight of trailer and cargo is over 1000 lbs ); and an aerodynamic style trailer and the cargo loaded aerodynamically, this is a must.

    My Prius has 56,100 miles on it now; and my weight and contents of trailer is about 1900 LBs; with about 500 LBs of passengers and cargo inside of Prius. I have not been in the mountains with my set-up; I think it would be to much strain on the Prius with the load I carry. I tested my Prius with 1900 LBs towing and 800 LBs passengers and cargo in my Prius. Total weight of 2700 LBs!! ( page 1 and 2 of this thread ) But that is in the rolling hills of East Texas. Some long grades I have to take a running start at it; have to watch MG1 and MG2;
    and ICE temps ... All this can be helped by driving slow.;)


    If my trailer was aerodynamic and about 300 LBs lighter, and my total weight inside of Prius is about 500 LBs; I would try it!! I think the key is total weight of all persons, trailer, all cargo is about 2000 LBs for the mountains.;)This will put you about 1175 LBs over Toyota load limit for the Prius; But the Toyota Corolla; Matrix; Rav4 (4cyl) all have a 1500 LBs towing limit.
    Toyota Highlander Hybrid is 2000 LBs towing limit.

    What I and other members proved is that the Prius can TOW!!:cool:
     
  15. cdltpx

    cdltpx Junior Member

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    I have an 07 it does tow the trailer I bought but the day I did tow it we had head winds that were just awful I drove at freeway speeds and wanted to test the car on its first tow to see if it could handle it. I am a former trucker and I don't recommend towing with your Prius. Take the rear seats out convert that space to sleep quarters and make some screens for your windows and use your tow hitch for a platform the car does not suffer any MPG ding using a platform. Great for camping because you can carry the extra gear that you can setup. I Rather take 15 min to pitch a tent than destroy my car. If you do tow make sure it is a low profile trailer not something that catches wind I was towing an 8x10 cargo V nose.
     
  16. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    Hello again!

    Getting my C ready for safe towing and about to install my Ride Rite springs. I noticed you have your air hose pointing down throw the spring perch? Did you also install the lower supports as well?
     
  17. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    I did not want to pinch the air hose ....... I used plastic ties on the OM supports.:)
     
  18. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    I did the install and it went great. I was able to keep all the lines stealth. I routed them threw a frame hole and went to a T fitting which files both at once.

    I'm going to trim my center trim diffuser like you have done with your hitch.

    I'm doing the finishing prep work on the hitch side of things and once I'm ready ill post a picture of my first 750lbs tow.
     
  19. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    Hi all,

    Just wanted to add this to the thread. I have a 2010 gen III that I bought in May of 2009. I have been towing almost since I purchased it. I bought the curt hitch. My trailer is a 5x8 utility trailer. My 2010 now has 176,000 miles on it an runs like a top. I have had to do two repairs to it. Replaced a front headlight at about 100,ooo miles and a rear wheel bearing at about 175,000 miles. I use the utility trailer for local hauling and long trips.

    I have a scanguage II that I monitor WT RPM SOC and LP. With this load it handles perfectly and drives without issues.


    Here is a pic.

    !prius.jpg
     
    #199 bestmapman, Oct 1, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2014
    1prius and engerysaver like this.
  20. tgpii

    tgpii Member

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    I see lots of stuff on towing with a Prius Liftback and some stuff on towing with a Prius V. Anyone got anything on towing with a Prius C?