Prius pulling an RV? What do you pull !!

Geez, after reading through this thread, I'm no longer worried about getting a small trailer from Harbor Freight to carry a couple of kayaks and/or bikes.

 

How do you transport a full size 900lb. pool table 120 miles? Use your Prius. I only got 45mpg.

 

Is it beautiful or what

 

We need to get this thread going again. Anyone pulling anything lately?

 

not after reading anna e's post. i'm afraid i might have to hit the brakes.

 

If I can figure out image posting via Imgur I will highlight some of my towing shenanigans of the last few years

Here's a link to the Imgur album:

 

How many total miles have you town your little RV now?

 

That's amazing! Thanks for sharing and being an inspiration on here.

A lot of us are pumped that it seems like the Model 3 may get an actual tow rating here in the States.

 

Hi All, I'm so glad I found this thread. I must first admit I own no Prius(es), I own a 2013 Ford CMax and have been studying for about 2 weeks straight on whether it is safe to tow with it. I've had to lean on Prius data due to the Ford ECVT being so similar to the Toyota ECVT (Patent Sharing). The Cmax also has a 'Not Recommended' in the manual for towing, yet my research, including a call to a personal friend who's been an engineer at Ford for well over 30 years, I have uncovered that in the case of the Cmax towing, and I will assume the Prius as well (European Prius's now rated to tow1,500 lbs), is purely marketing. When you study the design of the Toyota/Ford ECVT they have so many advantages of previous hybrid drives, that essentially these vehicles are always being propelled by the MG2, or final drive MG. Thus these vehicles are much robust in their design than the previous one-motor hybrid drives of all the other competitors. In my research, and with my engineer friend 'coaching' me, I believe that the Prius and Cmax, basically all Toyota and Ford Hybrids using their ECVT's are quite safe to tow with, within limits. If you are an experienced driver who has towed heavy before, and with trailer brakes then I believe my CMax will tow well up to about 1,500 lbs (aerodynamics of the trailer does affect this formula). Brakes should be on the trailer over about 750lbs if towing routinely. My engineer friend gives the key information: 'Possibly Ford doesn't recommend towing to push you into a more profitable vehicle?'.... Having said all this I live in San Angelo TX and work in Friendswood Texas one week per month and I have the opportunity to tow one of my Waverunners down to the coast and run rivers with a group of friends. Ski fully fueled weighs about 970 and trailer about 200 so just under 1,200 lbs. I was going to trade up to an Escape with a 2K lb tow rating, but love the Cmax too much to let it go. They don't make a single ski trailer with brakes so I will get custom one built with brakes. My one-way trip is 420 miles so I may rent a storage unit and leave one of my Waverunners in the League City area and just tow around the Houston area to the group events, yet I feel confident the Cmax, and Priuii(?) can easily tow this aerodynamic load even through the mountains of West and Central texas to the coast. I will keep speeds lower on uphills, but the Cmax does have a 144 hp engine, so a little bit more power than Priuii, I'll report back.

Mark
2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

 

Even a Prius c could tow an RV with this concept: Dethleffs puts a new spin on towing with an electric camping trailer that nearly drives itself

 

If the trailer drives itself, they you aren't towing it....

 

I have hesitated to reply to this thread due to the fact that towing is "not recommended". However, since many here have done so, including me, I feel it would add some additional info for those who want to give it a try. I installed a Curt hitch from etrailer and the plug-and-play wiring harness. Makes it much easier to have a 4-way for lights. I did not install trailer brake wiring. I am keeping the load light and the height down. I bought a mini-trailer from Lowe's. It is 46X60 , weighs about 350#, and is capable of towing 1000+ pound load. I used it for hauling camping gear...until I found an older pop-up with no A/C that (now) weighs about 900#. It is small, only about 6' wide and 8' long (plus hitch). I removed all the gas fittings (I use an electric hot-plate), all the cabinet doors, and the standard table. It is just under the spoiler when going down the road (I can see out the upper back window). It tows nicely and I take it real easy and mainly will stay in Florida with it. Can't speak for everyone, but I got 40-45 mpg while towing it on our last trip. Will add a few pics of the camper.

 

I am amused by the use of solar power to charge the trailer's battery. The amount of available square footage for solar is comical when compared to the battery size. While the battery might become fully charged over weeks, the amount of energy gained from solar would be so small as to be laughable over a weekend trip.

 

What makes these trailers worth over $2000?

 

We saw this cute little rig yesterday going through Mansfield, OH on US 30. It had Virginia license plates. I don't think I'd want to pull that through the mountains.

 

Well, if you play with fire, you're going to get burnt!