- #1 of 12
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Towing with a Toyota Prius
by Sylvia STAFF
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Aug 24, 2007 (2:07 pm)
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Question about towing things behind the Prius.
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- #2 of 12
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Need to tow a small boat
by akoller
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Jul 22, 2007 (7:02 am)
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Hi.
I'm a 6-month Prius owner about to buy a small boat and want to know if anyone can share experience with towing using this car. I have a Package 2, 2007 Prius that's doing great. I don't have concerns about mileage and won't be towing long distances or heavy loads (1,000 pounds max, small boat), and I've found several hitches made specifically for the car, but I wanted to tap the knowledge base here. Any comments much appreciated.
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- #3 of 12
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Re: Need to tow a small boat [akoller]
by pathstar1
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Jul 22, 2007 (7:53 am)
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Replying to: akoller (Jul 22, 2007 7:02 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 The receiver hitches available were originally made to accept bicycle carriers so some strengthening may be required.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.
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- #4 of 12
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Re: Need to tow a small boat [pathstar1]
by akoller
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Jul 22, 2007 (9:16 am)
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Replying to: pathstar1 (Jul 22, 2007 7:53 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.
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- #5 of 12
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Re: Need to tow a small boat [akoller]
by antonyhsu
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Aug 04, 2007 (2:51 am)
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Replying to: akoller (Jul 22, 2007 9:16 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.
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- #6 of 12
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Re: Need to tow a small boat [antonyhsu]
by akoller
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Aug 04, 2007 (6:06 am)
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Replying to: antonyhsu (Aug 04, 2007 2:51 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
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- #7 of 12
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Re: Need to tow a small boat [antonyhsu]
by railroadjames
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Aug 04, 2007 (10:14 am)
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Replying to: antonyhsu (Aug 04, 2007 2:51 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.
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- #8 of 12
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Re: Need to tow a small boat [akoller]
by lgomez1013
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Jul 02, 2008 (12:13 pm)
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Replying to: akoller (Jul 22, 2007 7:02 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 lgomez0829 bellsouth.net
Thank You
Louie
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- #9 of 12
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Re: Need to tow a small boat [lgomez1013]
by coontie66
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Jul 02, 2008 (1:12 pm)
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Replying to: lgomez1013 (Jul 02, 2008 12:13 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.
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- #10 of 12
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Towing a jetski with a 2008 toyota Prius
by lgomez1013
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Jul 02, 2008 (4:01 pm)
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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.
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