Community Forums

rcraig19 · 11-17-2013, 08:30 PM

Just bought the MH and really don't want to buy a new vehicle to tow if I don't need to. Has anyone towed a Prius using a dolly? Are there any issues to be aware of. I know it can not be towed four down and the manual is not to specific as to whether it can be towed on a dolly. I would appreciate any advice I could get.

rcraig19 · 11-17-2013, 08:44 PM

New here , sorry. I just searched other post about Prius but still don't know if it can be done. I guess the best question is does anyone or has anyone towed a Prius and how did it work? Thanks.

Mr_D · 11-17-2013, 08:53 PM

The only 2011 Toyota's listed in the FMCA towing guide as towable are the
Camray
Corolla
Matrix
Yaris Liftback
Yaris Sedan
And then only with a stick trans.

As to on a dolly? Well, does the Prius have regenerative braking and is it active on the back wheels when the key is off?

CampDaven · 11-17-2013, 08:54 PM

This thread may help you out. :-)

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/toyota-prius-171256.html

Tim&Paula · 11-19-2013, 09:33 AM

I towed my Prius on a dolly.

rcraig19 · 11-19-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim&Paula

I towed my Prius on a dolly.

Did you have any issues doing so? What year was your Prius? Everything I read says not to do it and I really don't understand why.

Tim&Paula · 11-19-2013, 06:05 PM

2001

Mborow · 05-15-2014, 08:26 PM

Any more info on towing Prius on a dolly?

rcraig19 · 05-15-2014, 08:50 PM

All the research I did came up don't do it under any circumstances. I sold mine and bought a 2014 Kia Soul with a straight shift for $17,000. I tow it four down and it is great. Only weighs 2700lbs. It was pretty much a wash dollar wise. Sold the Prius (2010) for $17, 500. It cost me about $2500 to get the Kia ready to tow. Works great and I am happy with a car with a warranty.

lllkrob · 05-15-2014, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mborow

Any more info on towing Prius on a dolly?

There is no reason whatsoever that a Prius cannot be towed on a dolly. It is a front wheel drive vehicle it just has a BIG electric motor/generator/constant velocity transmission connected to the FRONT wheels. The rear axle is like that of any other front wheel drive vehicle.

The only dolly requirements is that the Prius wheels on the dolly must be locked in a straight ahead position. This will allow the Prius to be towed in the full off position. So the dolly must have it's own steering mechanism.

And before the "X-purts" jump in to question these statements, I retired as the Senior Powertrain Systems Engineer for Toyota Motor Manufacturing USA having worked for Toyota for 27 years.

rcraig19 · 05-16-2014, 05:57 AM

I don't claim to be a expurt just telling people what I was told by your ex company. It think it is great if it can be towed as we loved out Prius. I just found it a suitable option to buy a brand new vehicle that could be towed four down and had a warranty for the same money.

hondavalk · 05-16-2014, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lllkrob

There is no reason whatsoever that a Prius cannot be towed on a dolly.
And before the "X-purts" jump in to question these statements, I retired as the Senior Powertrain Systems Engineer for Toyota Motor Manufacturing USA having worked for Toyota for 27 years.

Now that's hilarious.

Mborow · 05-16-2014, 06:24 AM

I have a 2012 Prius V and want to use a tow dolly. The steering does not lock. I am considering a Master Tow Dolly. Will that work? Will the hold down straps secure the wheels enough? Will I use the front eye bolts to attach the safety chains or it there a better option?

Rockwood27 · 05-16-2014, 06:53 AM

I towed our '10 Prius to Fl from NH and back this winter on a Master Tow dolly (3,500 mile round trip). This is the first time towing the Prius. We had (have) no post-tow issues with the Prius. We bought the Prius new in June '09 and it now has about 86K miles. I ran a tie-down strap from the steering wheel to a cross bar under the seat to keep the steering wheel from turning. I had to use a couple of 2x12x24 boards on the ground in front of the ramps to elevate the nose of the Prius to keep the air dam from scraping. I use the boards to place under my MH jacks anyway. I replaced the safety chains with coiled, coated safety cables and wrapped them over the lower a-arms as added safety. The coated cables help keep from scratching the underside of the toad.

Master Tow makes 2 different width dollies. Get the wider one (80" width). Don't forget to get brakes, either electric or surge. Mine has surge brakes, which don't require a controller or setup for different sized cars, which I have.

Fran