Tow with a prius?

Anybody out there towing their H16 with a Toyota prius? It looks like it can be done, just want to confirm.

I heard one guy doing it with a mini-cooper, so that makes me think the answer for the prius is a yes.

For a 2016 and newer yes - http://www.carscoops.com/2016/04/new-to ... owing.html.

Anything older, no - at least not authorized by Toyota. Doesn't mean you couldn't get a hitch for it - http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2010_Toyota_Prius.htm.

Almost any car can tow a Hobie 16. Except maybe a SmartCar.

I think a big limiting factor is your speed expectation. Anything can pull a Hobie but once you start expecting 60, 70 MPH you may be putting a lot of unexpected constant load on the drivetrain. A conventional IC engine with clutch and gears can handle a lot but who knows about some of the Hybrid stuff. It's really good to see a tow rating for the Prius, in an age when it is rarer and rarer to see a tow rating at all.

A Smart car can probably pull a Hobie around town just fine, but a long highway trip might be more than the transmission was designed for. The wind drag from a towed catamaran is pretty big. My fuel economy (Jetta TDI wagon) can easily go below 30 towing the Hobie, from a typical 40~42.

_________________
'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

I think that removing the tramp for a longer tow would make sense. It doesn't sit flat, and it catches quite a bit of air I think.

_________________
Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"

Before I got my H16 I had looked at a H14 Turbo and when I went to see it, the owner was pulling it with a small Toyota Celica.
I pull my H16 with a 2006 Nissan Quest, it has a V6 and has pulled the Hobie for 4 hours to get her home after purchased, and I actually didn't see any real change in fuel economy.

_________________
Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

I've towed my Hobie 16 all over the place with a Mini Cooper S - manual tranny. Had zero issues, even towed my hobie 20 with it a few times - never longer than an hour drive each way to lake tho. I would recommend something with a V6 if you're planning on going to regatta's ect a few hundred miles away. In that regard, a used Toyota 4Runner V6 SR5 can be bought for a few grand, great for boat/Camping/Regatta duties and not have to worry about tearing up your Motor/Transmission.

_________________
Tim Grover

Memphis, TN fleet 134
Hobie 20! G-Cat5.0 and 2 Hobie 14's
Photobucket now wants $100 to post pics on forums......... pass.

When going to regattas, I used to double stack our Hobie 14's and tow them with a diesel V.W. Rabbitt. NO problem except a little slow going uphills!