Posted by Elmo P. Shagnasty on March 19, 2007, 8:16 pm
> > Front wheels up is the ONLY way you may tow a Prius except in an
> > absolute emergency (and then only very slowly, for a very short
> > distance, with a driver behind the wheel, with the rest of the car in
> > good shape).
>
> That is a matter of definition. Your statement is correct only if you
> consider 4 wheels off the ground (such as on a flatbed) not towing. After
> all, the car arrives on a vehicle transporter, not driven or two wheel
> towed.
OK, let me rephrase:
to tow a Prius, the front wheels must be off the ground, regardless of
what you do with the back wheels. The only exception is for emergency
purposes, for very short distances, with a driver in the car helping to
operate it, at very low speeds.
Posted by Eric on March 20, 2007, 1:24 am
Thanks for the input guys. I should have clarified. My folks want to tow
their Prius cross country behind the RV. Just wondering what the best way
to do that is. I'm a little reluctant to advise them to use a front-lift
dolly for this distance, but maybe it's OK.
> Either a flat tow or front wheels up? TIA
> -Eric
>
Posted by mrv@kluge.net on March 20, 2007, 1:49 am
> Thanks for the input guys. I should have clarified. My folks want to tow
> their Prius cross country behind the RV. Just wondering what the best way
> to do that is. I'm a little reluctant to advise them to use a front-lift
> dolly for this distance, but maybe it's OK.
as I stated, you cannot dinghy tow a Prius behind a motorhome (often
called a toad, all 4 wheels down).
However, you can rent/buy a tow dolly (see an RV center) where you can
keep the front wheels up, and some will even do all 4 wheels up.
There are many cars besides the Prius that cannot be towed with all 4
wheels down. (For a list of Toyotas, go to their FAQ site at
http://toyota.custhelp.com/ and search for "tow" - the first item,
"Dinghy Towing" will answer: "Is it possible to tow my Toyota with
all four wheels on the ground?" (most automatic transmission Toyotas
cannot be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground.) )
Just make sure that the front wheels are off the ground, and that you
have enough ground clearance on the rear of the vehicle, and you
should be fine. (I've seen a few people in rec.outdoors.rv-travel
comment about towing a Prius...)
Posted by Elmo P. Shagnasty on March 20, 2007, 2:50 am
> Thanks for the input guys. I should have clarified. My folks want to tow
> their Prius cross country behind the RV. Just wondering what the best way
> to do that is. I'm a little reluctant to advise them to use a front-lift
> dolly for this distance, but maybe it's OK.
If you don't advise them to use a front-lift dolly, what *will* you
advise them to do?
The only alternative is not to tow. Will you advise them to do that?
Posted by Eric on March 23, 2007, 2:13 am
> If you don't advise them to use a front-lift dolly, what *will* you
> advise them to do?
> The only alternative is not to tow. Will you advise them to do that?
Sell the prius, buy a couple mopeds, get a bike, get a hitch mounted camper,
....
> > absolute emergency (and then only very slowly, for a very short
> > distance, with a driver behind the wheel, with the rest of the car in
> > good shape).
>
> That is a matter of definition. Your statement is correct only if you
> consider 4 wheels off the ground (such as on a flatbed) not towing. After
> all, the car arrives on a vehicle transporter, not driven or two wheel
> towed.