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Towing with TCH

3 messages,  Last post on Dec 10, 2008 at 8:33 AM

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#1 of 3 Towing with TCH by exvwdriver Sep 08, 2008 (7:09 pm)
I saw a partial thread under Trunk dimensions (Message 386), but thought this deserved a separate discussion.   My 09 TCH arrived in town Yesterday, but I don't have it yet. The day I signed my contract, the salesman looked up the specifications and quoted me OK to tow 1000#. Since then I've been told the TCH is not recommended for towing at all, but they were still willing to install receiver hitch to allow an upright "T" carrier to pair with a Thule Bar on roof for carrying a long Kayak, or for use with a bike rack... but they wouldn't insatll a tail light kit thus preventing use with trailer. I saw in a post under "trunk dimensions", a comment that it is not recommended to install a receiver hitch for carrying anything either. I don't have an owner's manual yet, but if the dealer installs the hitch shouldn't they have to warranty the car with it?   I initially intended to occasionally pull a 300# 5x8 utility trailer loaded with a 2 kayak rack and sometimes a walk behind lawn mower. Max combined weight 600# or the same as 3 large adults in the "5 passenger" car. I hate to drive my 15 mpg GMC 1500 truck just to carry a pair of Kayaks or a lawn mower. I assusme I wouldn't be getting hyper mileage while doing so, but it should beat the truck.   What's the difference in towing a small trailer on "normal roads" vs driving 5 people up a mountain to a ski resort? I understand that once the hitch is there, they have no control of how it is used, but what is the towing concern anyway? Is the system too sensitive to protect itself? I would expect that if the ICE & motor can't provide sufficient power to handle the load at a given speed, then the vehicle automatically unloads by going slower. Like a person pedaling up a hill, you can only go as fast as you have power to go. Replies to this message: monte8 (Sep 10, 2008 6:49 pm)
#2 of 3 Re: Towing with TCH [exvwdriver] by monte8 Sep 10, 2008 (6:49 pm)
Replying to: exvwdriver (Sep 08, 2008 7:09 pm) "What's the difference in towing a small trailer on "normal roads" vs driving 5 people up a mountain to a ski resort?"   A trailer (even a small one) becomes a tail that can wag the car. The Prius does not recommend any trailer towing. The Highlander Hybrid has a 3500 lb towing limit. One of the problems with the Camry is that it is a front wheel drive car. A similar weight and horse power rear wheel drive car will have a higher towing limit. If the dealer won't put in the wiring for lights, but the manual says you can tow 1000#, just go to another mechanic. That said, if the manual says you can tow 1000#, it should handle 600# without a problem.
#3 of 3 by pat85 Dec 10, 2008 (8:33 am)
The TCH owners manual says "No Towing. "

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