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Toyota Prius Accessories & Modifications

385 messages,  Last post on Jul 23, 2008 at 6:15 PM

You are in the Toyota Prius Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Performance Mods, Hatchback

Messages Page 39 of 39

#376 of 385 Re: Need to tow a small boat [akoller] by pathstar1

Jul 22, 2007 (8:53 am)

Replying to: akoller (Jul 22, 2007 8:02 am)
You're aware that it's "not recommended" by Toyota? It's in the owners manual. There are a few owners who do tow small utility trailers (500 lb or so), and they haven't reported any problems that I've seen. The receiver hitches available were originally made to accept bicycle carriers so some strengthening may be required. One owner who used the 2" one, beefed it up by adding a cross member to it. I think I saw the picture on Priuschat.

#377 of 385 Re: Need to tow a small boat [pathstar1] by akoller

Jul 22, 2007 (10:16 am)

Replying to: pathstar1 (Jul 22, 2007 8:53 am)
Thanks. Not sure what I will do yet, but the hitches I've seen so far look just like others I've used on cars like the Vibe. Small trailers don't place a great deal of stress on the vehicle unless you are driving in mountainous territory or at high speed, or if you are towing a lot of weight. I'd probably be in the 700 pound range, but I'd be really interested in any experience out there.

#378 of 385 Re: Need to tow a small boat [akoller] by antonyhsu

Aug 04, 2007 (3:51 am)

Replying to: akoller (Jul 22, 2007 10:16 am)
I have a hitch and have towed construction material with a trailer. I pushed it hard and will never try a stunt like it again when I towed debris in the range of 1400-1700 pounds within the trailer (additional 400 pounds) and the back of the prius about 2 miles to the closest waste management site. Watch for transmission burn. I changed the Automatic transmission fluid at 60-65K miles. I have towed the trailer multiple other times with lighter loads of plywood, sheetrock, etc. The trailer comes to about 400 pounds and I weigh about 150 pounds so "technically" I could safely add 250 pounds worth of material in the trailer.

#379 of 385 Re: Need to tow a small boat [antonyhsu] by akoller

Aug 04, 2007 (7:06 am)

Replying to: antonyhsu (Aug 04, 2007 3:51 am)
Wow, you WERE pushing it for sure. I plan to tow a boat with motor and trailer totaling about 700 pounds tops, including al the gear. When I do that, I won't be pushing for any speed and will keep a close eye on how it handles. Worst case, I guess I'd have to add some kind of second vehicle just to pull a small boat around, and I really don't want to do that, but I also don't want to ruin what I consider one of the best cars I've ever owned.
 
It helped to have your input; so thanks for making time to reply.
 
Al Koller

#380 of 385 Re: Need to tow a small boat [antonyhsu] by railroadjames

Aug 04, 2007 (11:14 am)

Replying to: antonyhsu (Aug 04, 2007 3:51 am)
An old rule of thumb my grand-pappy once told me was....never pull more than 1/4 to 1/3 the weight of your vehicle. Unfortunitly Toyota does not recommend any towing with the Prius. I personaly think my grand-pappy made sense.

#381 of 385 Re: Need to tow a small boat [akoller] by lgomez1013

Jul 02, 2008 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: akoller (Jul 22, 2007 8:02 am)
Did you ever get a good hitch for your Prius?
 
What is max weighyou can pull?
 
Have you had trouble launching your boat from the ramp?
 
i plan to get a jetski with trailer which i guess will weight about 1200 lbs.
 
my email lgomez0829bellsouth.net
 
Thank You
 
Louie

#382 of 385 Re: Need to tow a small boat [lgomez1013] by coontie66

Jul 02, 2008 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: lgomez1013 (Jul 02, 2008 1:13 pm)
WATCH out... Some day it will be raining when you come home with the little boat and you are gonna have a problem stopping the trailer. I had a friend with a Tacoma try to stop a 18 ft boat and he slid the whole thing through the red light.
 
But heck that's the price you have to pay when you have a little bitty car.

#383 of 385 Towing a jetski with a 2008 toyota Prius by lgomez1013

Jul 02, 2008 (5:01 pm)

i would like to buy and tow a jetski and trailer which will weight about 1200 lbs.
 
Does anyone have first hand experience towing and putting on the water (using a boat ramp) a jetski?
 
I would appreciate hearing from people who have actually done it or attempted to do it.

#384 of 385 Re: Need to tow a small boat [akoller] by hkeating

Jul 11, 2008 (10:24 am)

Replying to: akoller (Jul 22, 2007 8:02 am)
I want to set up to tow a max 1000 LB loaded trailer with my Prius. Is there a specific hitch that you found that will accomodate this?
Have you been towing your boat? How is it working out?
Thanks Hank

#385 of 385 Re: Towing a jetski with a 2008 toyota Prius [lgomez1013] by bnjnpv

Jul 23, 2008 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: lgomez1013 (Jul 02, 2008 5:01 pm)
jut remember to make very small corrections when backing with a short wheelbase. 1/4 turns of the steering wheel rather than lock to lock. there's no substitute for practice.....during the week at the dock or in the nearest parking lot at night....when launching your ski, remember the plug!!!!!! i've only launched mine and a coupleof times a friend of mine's. his has reverse (looks like yours may too) mine doesn't....both skis can be floated off with the fenders of the trailer barely submerged. when trailering your ski, it seems best to be a few inches further out of the water (half way up the trailer wheel or so) so you have to goose the ski a little to get up to the bumper....seems to help the ski load itself square.

Messages Page 39 of 39

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