Can the Toyota Prius haul well? It’s not necessary Although it was not designed to carry heavy loads, the Prius can tow up to 1,600 pounds. If you adore your Prius and don’t frequently tow or tote heavy cargo, it can be adequate for your requirements.
In This Article...
Is a Toyota Prius capable of towing?
If the weight of the trailer or camper does not exceed 1,500 pounds, a Prius can tow it. Installing the tow package is not particularly difficult, and the whole configuration won’t be very expensive.
Can a Prius from 2010 tow a trailer?
For instance, additional certification is required if the combined weight of your tow vehicle and trailer is greater than 7,700 pounds. With a regular European driver’s license, you can tow up to 7,700 pounds. More importantly, European towing guidelines suggest that your drawbar nose weight be between 4 and 7 percent of your total combined trailer weight. This allows you to theoretically load more of your weight toward the rear of your trailer, which is more unstable, but due to speed limits, which I’ll discuss later, and a more knowledgeable driver, most European licensing bodies allow for this leniency, and so do manufacturers. This is why Toyota is able to tow a trailer with a 1,600-pound tow ratio.
With a Basic Class C license and a car that weighs less than 4,000 pounds, which is how much a Toyota Prius weighs, I can theoretically tow up to 6,000 pounds (trailer plus load), which is more than a Prius in Europe can tow. Towing laws in the United States vary by state, so if you take my home state of California as an example. Additionally, my total trailer load is required by the DMV to have trailer brakes.
Finally, there is the physics of it all. If you read back to the Oppositetalk post I previously cited, you’ll see that there is a physics-based reason why Toyota only displays the Prius’ tow ratings for Europe. Driving becomes intrinsically riskier when something is being towed, but if you keep your speed under 65 mph, it is generally safe to handle the right loads on a trailer under different circumstances. The real sting is that towing a compact trailer is only permitted at 60 MPH in Europe. The rule applies.
The range of speeds you can tow with in the United States, however, can vary as low as 55 MPH under the legislation in California to as high as 70 MPH in some states due to the federal type of governance that permits states to regulate driving regulations. The physics of towing a 1,600-pound trailer at 70 MPH, as permitted in the United States, makes for a perilous situation.
Here is a helpful graphic representation of how a vehicle towing a trailer will respond if the weight is not distributed equally in accordance with best practices.
Simply put, allowing the Prius to tow at all is not in Toyota’s best interests.
Surprisingly, they permit their standard Toyota Corollas to tow up to 1,500 pounds. This is likely because to Toyota’s confidence in the 1.8L four cylinder’s ability to reliably provide enough horsepower and torque to draw a trailer at highway speeds if the trailer is correctly weighted.
Yes, with a total weight of 1,600 pounds or less, you can probably tow a trailer or U-haul safely.
A Prius is able to tow a modest camper.
Yes, a Prius can tow a small trailer. With a towing capability of 725 kilograms (1,598 lbs), the Toyota Prius models made in 2015 and after can pull a lightweight caravan or compact camper.
A Prius is able to tow a U-Haul trailer.
A class 1 bolt-on trailer hitch called the CURT 11276 was created specifically for the 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-In. The tongue weight and maximum trailer weight for the hitch are each 200 pounds. This installation doesn’t involve any welding or drilling.
Can a Prius be equipped with a trailer hitch?
Four-bike carrying trailer hitch receiver and bike rack I suggest the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver #306-X7178 if your 2013 Toyota Prius has one. This can be mounted on your Prius without drilling, and it provides a 2″ Receiver for your bike rack.
Can a 2018 Toyota Prius tow a lot?
The answer is that a Prius can tow. The fourth generation of the Toyota Prius is the first time in 19 years that the most popular hybrid in the world may be equipped with a trailer hitch. It is offered as an add-on at car dealerships and has a weight capacity of 750 kilograms (1598 lbs).
Without factoring in the cost of installation, the Japanese company’s dealerships sell this trailer hitch as an original item for $475. This requires an additional $238 for the 7-pin electrical connection, which increases to $277 if a 13-pin connection is required.
With the aid of this new rear hitch, the Toyota Prius can now tow a caravan that weighs no more than 750 kilograms and be equipped with useful supports for transporting bicycles, such as the $359 accessory that the Japanese company also sells for the new Toyota Prius and allows for the transport of two bicycles. Another folding is available for $556.
To say that this hitch can be taken apart and covered when not in use to hide its support, and most of all, that it has no impact on the expert aerodynamics of this effective vehicle that never ceases to wow us.
The Toyota Prius is undoubtedly one of the most recent models that comes to mind when thinking about towing a car. The hybrid vehicle from Toyota is one of the forerunners in the hybrid market and contains features like comfort, room, or almost nothing. However, one of its weaknesses is that other vehicles’ trailers, which also weigh more than it, are not among its advantages. or so we believed.
An RV can a Prius tow?
The Toyota Prius has been designed with the capability to tow a trailer for the first time in its history. This is another proof that Toyota wants to give its hybrid hero better performance, driving appeal, and everyday usability.
We opted to outfit a Prius with a towing hitch and wiring kit from the official Toyota accessories line in order to test out this newly discovered towing capability. Of course, our temporary “running partner” trailed closely behind as we headed into the stunning Lake District.
Toyota’s removable towing hitch is attractive since it is covert. The hardware connections are mostly hidden from view beneath the bottom edge of the bumper, and the towing arm can be stored in the boot in its fabric bag when not in use. The towing hitch is always displayed in green when it has been installed properly and securely, according to a straightforward red/green fitting procedure.
Some trailers also have a similar red/green guide to make sure they are connected to the vehicle properly.
The new Prius can tow anything from small recreational trailers to pod-style caravans, despite having a relatively modest 725kg towing capability compared to more typical load-luggers.
We’re going to the multi-award-winning The Quiet Site, which is a few miles northwest of Ullswater, for the static photo session.
The all-weather site, which is situated in the center of the Lake District National Park, is now a favorite with campers, glampers, caravanners, and nature enthusiasts. The location, like the Prius, has gained notoriety for its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection; some have even dubbed it “possibly the greenest park in Britain.”
Many of the pitches are built on staggered terraces and are scattered throughout the fells, providing unimpeded views of Ullswater and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. It’s the ideal starting point for exploring the Lakes or just taking in the tranquil ambiance.
And furthermore, you won’t have to worry about waking up your fellow campers in the early morning with the percussive clatter of a cold engine thanks to the Prius’s capacity to slink away softly on electric powereven with the trailer connected.
Details and price of the items installed on the Toyota Prius shown:
What is a Toyota Prius capable of towing?
The Toyota Prius’s hybrid technology makes its engine power less than impressive. Initially, the manufacturer advised against hauling anything. Toyota has recently altered its position, though.
The Prius’s listed towing capacity has been 1,598 pounds since 2015. The Prius V has a maximum towing capability of 1,600 pounds, with minor changes across variants.
But you might want to think about another model if towing is a top priority. For instance, the Toyota 4Runner has a 5,000-pound towing capacity.
Trailer hitches for the Toyota Prius
Although Priuses don’t come with a towing equipment already installed, you can still attach a trailer by yourself. A wise choice is the CURT 11276 Class 1 Trailer Hitch. Just make sure the hitch you select is suitable with your vehicle by checking again.
Though the precise towing capacity may differ between a Prius C and a Prius V, they are all within a few pounds of 1,600.
Maximum Towing Capacity – no data
The heaviest load the Toyota Prius is capable of towing. The mentioned maximum trailer weights only apply to elevations up to 3280 feet (1,000 meters) above sea level. As altitude rises, the reduced air density reduces engine power and, as a result, the car’s ability to climb; as a result, the maximum trailer weight must be adjusted. For each additional 3280 feet (1,000 meters), the weight of the vehicle and trailer must be lowered by 10%. (or part thereof).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – 3795 lb
This is the maximum weight that a Toyota Prius is permitted to transport (engine, chassis, fluids, passengers, cargo, load – everything). In the owner’s manual or on the interior of the drive’s door panel, the manufacturer will frequently specify it.
Payload Capacity – 863 lb
The weight of all the extra items you load into your car, such as passengers or a load of boulders, is referred to as the payload. It can be raised by:
- Improvements to the Rear Springs
- Coil-Over Shock Absorbers can be added.
- installing a truck bed extension.
- Trailer Attachment.
- Include Bed Racks.
Can a compact Airstream be towed by a Prius?
Unable to tow an Airstream trailer is a Toyota Prius. The average Airstream trailer weights between 3,000 and 5,000 lbs, whereas a Prius can tow up to 1598 lbs. Simply put, the figures don’t add up! For more information, see the table below.
What can a Toyota Prius tow?
The fourth generation of the Toyota Prius is the first time in 19 years that the most popular hybrid in the world may be equipped with a trailer hitch. It is offered as an add-on at car dealerships and has a weight capacity of 750 kilograms (1598 lbs).
Best small campers for your Toyota Prius
Lastly, here are a few suggestions for compact campsites that a Toyota Prius can tow very easily:
The Caretta caravan from Turkish manufacturer Basoglu made its debut in 2008, drawing inspiration from American design. It is the oldest brand on the European market. Four variants are available, including the premium Caretta 1500 version, a 44 version, and two utility vehicles (Cargo and Shop).
Hero CamperThis Danish caravan is distinguished by a body height that is higher than the norm for the “small type,” while also providing additional space. However, the galley is still located at the back and is covered by a tailgate. It is furnished with a refrigerator space, a sink, and storage area.
Trailer for “Hundred Miles Teardrop”
This Toulouse company began making caravans in 2018 and has since made them available for rental as well as for purchase. The product’s distinctiveness is found in both its unique design with the painted wooden wheel fenders and in its construction (aluminum sandwich panel). The indoor table option is another discovery.
Teardrop Trailer in Miniature
This Breton company provides a portfolio with adaptability options. The Micro, the Teardrop, the 44 Prestige, not to mention the Mini, which can be pulled by a trike or a sidecar, are the foundation of the offer. In a bigger box, there are also two additional features: two models with bunk beds for 3 and 4 people.
My Little Camp
locally sourced materials including wood, aluminum, insulation, and body-safe paints: My Tiny Camp bills itself as an eco-friendly, French-made, and self-maintenance trailer. It has a wide range of optional equipment available, just like its competitors.