Towing a Prius. Custom tow idea.

[Anthrobus]

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?

 

[Johnny Mullet]

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.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

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.

 

[Mark_In_MA]

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.)

 

[dan-fox]

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.

 

[ennonne]

Something like this, but with fixed "ramps"?

RV Auto Lift and Tow

More like this?

RV.net thread about the Prius

 

[Anthrobus]

I've got a 2013 and the dealer said it was impossible to tow it with any of the wheels touching the ground

 

[Anthrobus]

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.).