Towing a Prius

Ivylog wrote:

eheading wrote:
Don't look for a Prius with standard transmission. They don't make them.

It's also not a automatic in the normal sense. It's not even your normal Constant Velocity Transmission... no belt with varying diameter pulleys. It's just a planetary gear with three power inputs... the small gas engine without a disengaging clutch and two AC electric motors. This Video is worth your time, especially if you own a Prius.
While I have not put mine on a dolly yet, I see no reason to leave the key on... sorry no key to turn so pushing the start button without putting on the brake.

I tend to agree with you. It doesn't make any sense to me to push the start button without pushing the break to tow it on a dolly but a lot of folks on here said they do. Wasn't sure if I was missing something or what???

eheading wrote:
Don't look for a Prius with standard transmission. They don't make them.

It's also not a automatic in the normal sense. It's not even your normal Constant Velocity Transmission... no belt with varying diameter pulleys. It's just a planetary gear with three power inputs... the small gas engine without a disengaging clutch and two AC electric motors. This Video is worth your time, especially if you own a Prius.
While I have not put mine on a dolly yet, I see no reason to leave the key on... sorry no key to turn so pushing the start button without putting on the brake.

I'm about to buy a tow dolly to pull my 2004 Prius behind my Class A MH. I noticed a few people on here have mentioned they had to put the Prius in the on position to pull it. I assuming they are talking about puting it into on but not actually starting the vehicle. I am not sure why you would need to do this. Only thing I could think of is so it will stay in neutral. But if your pulling it on a dolly with the front wheels up why woudl that matter? So anyone know the answer? Can you pull a Prius on a dolly without turning it on?

Don't look for a Prius with standard transmission. They don't make them.

Ed Headington

I have been towing a Prius on a dolly for two years with no problem.

Towing a Prius all 4 wheels down can be done if it has a standard transmission. I towed my Toyota Yaris all 4 wheels down (Standard Transmission) for years with no problems! If it's a automatic transmission I'm not sure!

I always thought it was very consistent. The motorhome gets such poor fuel efficiency I needed to have a regular driver that was super efficient to average out. Now I tow a Smart Car.

jplante4 wrote:
Towing a Prius with a motor home that gets 6-10 MPG is inconsistent ideology.

I had a friend with a Prius and he would get warning lights after towing it for a day. He decided to just get a Jeep and tow that four down and get rid of the tow dolly and save a bunch of effort and hassle. He did it right before his Alaska trip and was thankful he switched.

Pull our Prius on a dolly. Very first time taking off of dolly, every light on dash was on. A call to a very knowledgeable service manager said every thing was OK. Onboard computer said hey.. Rear wheels are going 60 miles an hour, but front wheels not turning???? Just turn on and drive around block, turn off, turn on. Guess computer learned, as has never happened again. Only thing is you need an extra set of yellow ramps to get loading angle so front air dam doesn't drag.

jplante4 wrote:
Towing a Prius with a motor home that gets 6-10 MPG is inconsistent ideology.

I beg to differ - Any house that has prius outside of it is doing GOOD. But you will have a hard time going off road!

JMHO,