Can it tow my car?

[Suanne]

Hi,<br /><br />We are thinking of getting a small 20' class C built on a 2001 Chevy Express, 350 cu, V8, 4 speed automatic transmission.&nbsp; <br /><br />We would be towing my Prius on a tow dolly behind it, parking, and using the car as&nbsp;a daily driver when needed.<br /><br />My question is, does anyone know if the engine and transmission in the Class C is capable of pulling my car on a dolly (about 4500 lbs total) without too much struggle over mountain passes?<br /><br />Thanks, Suanne

 

[Les H]

Wow! Your prius weighs THAT much?!? Will you be using a dolly ( about 200 lbs) or a dual axle 16' trailer ( between 1500 and 2000 lbs) . I can't imagine the prius weighing more than 2500, so Mabye that's where you came up with a tow load of 4500??
Anyway, my bus ( avitar pic) is a 2000 gmc savana ( chevy express clone). It weighs 6500 lbs, empty. When I moved from Ny to Ala, I towed my backhoe (Kubota diesel, about 4500 lbs) on a 18' dual axle trailer ( the trailer weighed 3000 lbs empty according to the registration) for a total of 8000 lbs, plus about 2000 lbs worth of assorted tools and "stuff" for a total towed weight of 10000 lbs or 5 tons. I towed it at 60ish mph all through the , poconos of Pa, appalachins of Md,Va and Tn, and smokies of southern Tn and N Alabama. I averaged about 10 mpg in the hills and 11.5-13.5 the rest of the time. The bus has the basic Gm 350 cu in engine with factory 4 speed automatic ( probably the same eng/trans set up as the MH you are looking at). I did not have anything special done to it to set it up for towing except adding a 12k class 5 hitch and electric brake. It came factory with a small trans cooler, but if I were to tow all the time, I'd upgrade to a larger one. And as always, common sense towing suggestions/rules apply. I would not care to tow that much weight ALL THE TIME.
Could you do it ? Sure, no problem, but double check the manufacturers load and towing recommendations to be sure. And id defiantly look at a true dolly vs a trailer to save the almost ton of weight a trailer will add.

 

[Ricekila]

Batteries are heavy <img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" />

 

[Suanne]

Wow! Your prius weighs THAT much?!?

<br /><br />The Prius weighs 2890.&nbsp; I thought I read that tow dollys (with breaks) weigh about 1500 ... so, just rounded up to 4500 (in case I was to haul stuff in the Prius).&nbsp; If a dolly only weighs 200 lbs, then I'm looking at a total of less than 3100 (or 3600 w/loaded Prius).<br /><br />From the research I've read, and&nbsp;to the best of my understanding,&nbsp;it seems that it's rated to tow 6000 lbs ... but, I wanted to get some input from real life experience here.<br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[wandering mike]

I pull a Mazda Miata with a 1 ton Chevy Express van based Coachman 22 foot class C. &nbsp;It has the biggest engine. &nbsp;It works fine. &nbsp;The Miata has a curb weight of only about 2500 lbs though and I tow four wheels down. &nbsp;I don't even know it is back there. &nbsp;The issue I would be concerned with is braking &nbsp;more than pulling. &nbsp; I haven't felt a need for a supplemental braking system with the Miata though.

 

[Seraphim]

Can a Prius be flat towed?<br /><br />Our B pulled a 78 VW (about 1800 lbs) and didn't know it was there.

 

[Suanne]

I pull a Mazda Miata with a 1 ton Chevy Express van based Coachman 22 foot class C. &nbsp;It has the biggest engine. &nbsp;It works fine.

<br /><br />I wonder if it would be the same with this RV.&nbsp; From what I understand the 350cu is a small block and not the biggest engine.

 

[Suanne]

Can a Prius be flat towed?

<br /><br />I wish that were the case ... but, it either needs to be towed on a dolly or flat bed trailer.

 

[Seraphim]

There are larger engines, but the 350 is a pretty good work engine.&nbsp; Larger ones are available, but there's a tradeoff in gas mileage.

 

[wandering mike]

My engine is the 454. &nbsp;It loves to drink gas. &nbsp;I am sure I would be fine with a 350 though too given the way I don't even notice the toad now.<br /><br />I am thinking very hard about going toad free though. &nbsp;It is a pain. &nbsp;You can't back up and so those quick jaunts down a side road are carefully considered and rejected more times than I prefer as if I can't find a wide turn around or am on a dead end, I have to unhook, turn both vehicles and re-hook up. &nbsp;A pain. &nbsp;A dolly would be the same hassle plus a little I would think. &nbsp;You still can't back up efficiently and it is more trouble to unload to use the car. &nbsp;A full trailer would be easier to drive since you can back up, but more difficult it would seem to use the car. &nbsp;<br /><br />Much depends on your travel style. &nbsp;If you are going to be parked someplace for a week or more, then the efforts with a trailer or dolly might work. &nbsp;For folks who stay about four days or more at a spot, and plan their trips better than I do, pulling a flat tow vehicle can work &nbsp;If you are moving every couple days, I am finding it too much trouble and can just as easily organize other matters when travelling; e.g. laundry and shopping. &nbsp;Or ride the bicycle out and about.<br /><br />(Anyone want to buy a nice 05 Mazda Miata with 49k miles? &nbsp;I am enroute to Denver at the moment for a couple weeks, then headed south. &nbsp;Shoot me a message.) &nbsp;(If this violates the forum rules, I apologize and won't get torn up if the post is modified)<br /><br /><br />

 

[Suanne]

There are larger engines, but the 350 is a pretty good work engine.&nbsp; Larger ones are available, but there's a tradeoff in gas mileage.

<br /><br />Yes, that's exactly what I'm thinking.&nbsp; I want to get the smallest engine (best MPG) that is capable to towing the Prius.

 

[Suanne]

&nbsp;I am sure I would be fine with a 350 though too given the way I don't even notice the toad now ... I am thinking very hard about going toad free ...

<br /><br />Thanks for the reassurance on the 350 and your thinking about having a toad.<br /><br />We may also find that pulling a toad more of a hassel than it's worth.&nbsp; It's hard to tell.&nbsp; In fact, traveling in an RV may not even work out for us.&nbsp; This whole thing is kind of an experiment.<br /><br />I love traveling in the Prius and would love hubby to share travel with me.&nbsp; Since he is getting tired of me being away so much, this is our attempt to do some travel together.&nbsp; And, since he needs more room and comforts than I do (like a 40' diesel pusher), a small Class C is our compromise.&nbsp;<br /><br />With a Class C, fuel becomes a much bigger travel&nbsp;cost and towing the Prius for exploring places once we arrive is a way, we hope, to minimize that cost.<br /><br />Only time and use will tell.

 

[SoulRaven]

I tow dollied my Chrystler behind my van with a 350CI engine with no problems... Now i didnt do any mountain passes, but I dont think you will have problems getting over them... Never tow anything with your overdrive engaged, drive in "Drive" only...