Towing Toyota Prius

[ABC_DGoCamping]

We are starting to explore our rv options, hoping to buy one in the next year or so. Most likely a class A. We discovered that our Prius cannot be flat towed. My wife took her Prius in for service and spoke to the service department about this and he said the best method for towing was to tow with all four wheels off the ground.

The owners manual says the Prius can be towed by a tow truck with the rear wheels down for emergencies.

I am wondering what the conventional wisdom is here from experienced toaders.

Thanks

[carringb]

The Prius is recommended to be towed 4-up for ground clearance reasons (per the Toyota Emergency Roadside service guide). Front up is OK, but you risk damage to both the undercarriage from ramps (or wheel lift in case of a tow truck) and damage to the rear bumper cover.

So yes, it's possible, but you have to be more careful at driveways that other makes and models.

Only the Highlander-Hybrid has electric rear wheels. None of the Prius models do.

[Ivylog]

Some better pictures and an explanation of how and why...can back up without unhitching. H1946 is correct that only the weight of the front axle is supported...1650 lbs which equals over 2000+ lbs on the rear axle so a tag axle coach with a good frame is needed. It takes aprox 500 lbs off the front axle which with a Dynasty is a good thing.
There are two small wheels that support it when going through a big dip.


When going out West I tow my SUV...more ground clearance when off road.


Have pulled the SUV this way for over 90K miles.

I though I was in the running for the most unusual way to tow a car...NOT.

[harold1946]

Not all the weight or the car would be off of the ground.

[Sam_Spade]

ABC&DGoCamping wrote:

Can you explain to me how you have the front wheels lifted up off the ground?

Look closely at the picture.
There are ramps there that come up under the car frame and stay in place.

It is a dolly of sorts, it just doesn't have it's own wheels.
All the weight of the car is supported by the back end of the RV.
This would require a REALLY stout mount to the RV frame I expect.

[willald]

Don't know if getting another vehicle is something you'd consider or not, but if so, and If you like owning a hybrid and want to flat tow, check out Ford's hybrids, the Fusion or Cmax hybrid.

They are both flat towable from the factory, and are one of the most simple, easiest to flat toe. No crazy procedures to go through, no need to disconnect battery or any fuses, just throw it in neutral and go. Is IMO a much better hybrid drivetrain design than the Prius, too, as it can run in EV mode all the way up to 80 mph (Prius forces you into gas mode at 35 mph).

We've been flat towing our Fusion for nearly 5 years now, it works great.

[ABC_DGoCamping]

Click below and it's not on a dolly. You can use a dolly as the only thing on the rear axle are brake drums. Do not set/push the parking brake.

Ivylog,
Can you explain to me how you have the front wheels lifted up off the ground?

[Ivylog]

Click below and it's not on a dolly. You can use a dolly as the only thing on the rear axle are brake drums. Do not set/push the parking brake.

[lryrob9301]

As a former engineer for Toyota, I can assure you the Prius can be towed on a dolly without any problems. It is no different, when being towed, than any other FWD vehicle.

[Y-Guy]

I find no company that makes a base plate for towing four down, nothing from Blue Ox, Demco or Roadmaster, that should tell you something. Plus even Remco, who makes lube pumps says they must be towed on a dolly too.

[Sam_Spade]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
I suspect that the rear wheels have incorporated regenerative braking that would preclude towing on a dolly.

No I REALLY don't think so. All of that is in the front. (I'm on my 3rd Prius now)

Look for a Prius forum for better answers......but ignore those who say it's fine to tow 4-down because it is NOT.

[FunTwoDrv]

Do a search on this site...I seem to recall someone towing one with a class A.
We met a guy this Summer towing one on a dolly. He said he had been doing it for a few years with no issues. Perhaps certain years are tow-able?

Gary

[DownTheAvenue]

I suspect that the rear wheels have incorporated regenerative braking that would preclude towing on a dolly. Better do what the owner's manual says or face a potential very expensive repair bill.

[mowermech]

The conventional wisdom is: Read and follow the instructions in the Owners Manual. If the book says "do not", then don't.
However, sometimes the book says "do not", but there are ways that it can be done safely: Lube pump installation, driveshaft disconnect installation, etc.
I do not know if any such modifications are available for a Prius.
There are comparatively lightweight aluminum trailers available for hauling cars that can not be towed flat or on a dolly. They are, however, quite expensive.
There are many vehicles available that can be towed four down without any expensive modifications. Some Honda models, nearly all Jeep Wranglers, many 4X4 light trucks (if the transfer case has a Neutral position), some front wheel drive manual transmission vehicles, etc.