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Old 05-15-2018, 06:27 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 45
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: Cummings 6 cylinder diesel
Towing a Prius. Custom tow idea.

So I recently purchased my first school bus to convert. The purchase was more of a necessity then out of an actual recreational need. I primarily earn my income as a delivery driver. The problem is in order to tow a Prius you need a full trailer. I was wondering if I could kill two birds with one stone by building a two-wheel trailer the tangled up to a 45 degree angle to the rear bumper of the bus. Then there would be only two sets of Wheels on the trailer making contact with the ground. And maybe with a homemade rear fairing, it would reduce drag flow and in essence create a camback. I don't expect this design to give me more miles per gallon. But I do expect it to be a little more efficient than a regular four-wheeled tow trailer. I also have to run this design through and air dynamics computer model. But in theory it sounds pretty sound. Has anyone else ever tried to do this?

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Old 05-15-2018, 08:27 PM   #2
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Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
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Year: 1996
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Engine: T444E 7.3L
Ever consider replacing the Prius with some other fuel efficient, small car with a manual transmission for flat towing? I plan on towing either my 1996 Geo Metro or 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage with my bus.
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Old 05-15-2018, 08:30 PM   #3
Bus Geek
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet View Post
Ever consider replacing the Prius with some other fuel efficient, small car with a manual transmission for flat towing? I plan on towing either my 1996 Geo Metro or 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage with my bus.
Lots of Kias around with manual transmissions too. They are reasonably priced and popular with owners.
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Old 05-15-2018, 11:52 PM   #4
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Greater Boston
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So what you're suggesting is that, essentially, the front wheels of the Prius would be on a ramp on the back of the bus, with the steering unlocked, and the rear wheels would be on a little dolly to keep the prius rear wheels from turning? (Basically, the Prius IS the trailer frame)?

It's a neat idea, but I'm not sure if it's technically legal. It would also do some really interesting things to the suspension setup, because it would put half the cars weight on the rear bumper of the bus. (Then again, tow trucks don't routinely tip over, and they've got a similar weight distribution at times.)
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Old 05-16-2018, 04:43 PM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SW New Hampshire
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I like my 6 speed Kia Soul, but we also have a 2013 Prius. The RV forums are full of stories from people who dolly tow a Prius with no problems. The issues come in when you tow 4-down.
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Old 05-16-2018, 05:29 PM   #6
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Motor City
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Something like this, but with fixed "ramps"?



RV Auto Lift and Tow

More like this?



RV.net thread about the Prius
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Old 05-17-2018, 05:06 PM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2018
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Year: 2001
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I've got a 2013 and the dealer said it was impossible to tow it with any of the wheels touching the ground
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Old 05-17-2018, 05:08 PM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2018
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Year: 2001
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Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: Cummings 6 cylinder diesel
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet View Post
Ever consider replacing the Prius with some other fuel efficient, small car with a manual transmission for flat towing? I plan on towing either my 1996 Geo Metro or 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage with my bus.
I have but it's almost paid off and the money I save on deliveries and comfort ( I can run the AC all night and only uses $2 worth of gas.).
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