Can You Tow A Prius Behind An RV? 2025

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Last Updated on January 15, 2025 by Paul Clayton

Can You Tow A Prius Behind An RV?

This is a question that might not have a straightforward answer. It involves considering factors such as the towing method and potential damage to the vehicle’s hybrid system.

Towing a Prius behind an RV is not recommended.
Hybrids like the Prius have unique designs.
Electric motors can be damaged during towing.
Toyota advises against flat-towing Prius vehicles.
Continuous towing could cause overheating and damage.
Tow dollies may not entirely prevent damage.
Flatbed trailers are a safer towing option.

You can never flat-tow a Prius hybrid behind any car, whether it’s an RV or not.

If a Prius is towed from the front, the front wheels must be raised using a wheel lift (Toyota advises against using dolly-style tow trucks).

Flat-towing a Prius behind any car, RV or not, is never a good idea. Toyota refers to it as “dinghy-towing,” a word we hadn’t heard before.

When towing a Toyota Prius, the company recommends always keeping the front wheels off the ground. If necessary, you can flat-tow a Prius for a short distance if the speed is controlled below 18 mph.

Can You tow a Prius?

Understand the specific characteristics of this vehicle type. Owing to its unique transmission design, a Prius is always “in gear.”

This feature significantly limits its ability to be towed, as traditional methods that involve towing with the front wheels down are not applicable.

Therefore, to safely tow a Prius, one must invest in specific equipment, such as a car trailer or tow dolly.

A car tow dolly is particularly effective as it only lifts the front wheels, keeping the transmission disengaged from the wheels on the ground.

Additionally, ensure that the bumper does not drag during the towing process. As long as these precautions are observed, you can confidently and safely tow a Prius.

What is the Best Car to Tow behind your RV?

The answer doesn’t rely on a specific manufacturer or model. Instead, there are three fundamental criteria that the ideal car should meet.

Firstly, it should be capable of being towed with all four wheels on the ground, often referred to as ‘flat towing”. This prevents potential damage to the transmission and eliminates the need for additional equipment like a dolly.

Secondly, the car should be relatively lightweight. The lighter the vehicle, the less strain it puts on the RV, improving fuel efficiency and maneuverability.

Lastly, the perfect towed car won’t register miles while being towed. This feature is crucial as it prevents unwarranted wear and tear on the vehicle’s engine and mechanical parts, thus prolonging its lifespan.

What is a Suitable Towing behind a Motorhome?

Review the vehicle’s weight, transmission type, and drivetrain. The most suitable cars for towing behind a motorhome are those with manual transmissions.

These vehicles can be flat-towed, meaning all four wheels are on the ground without damaging the transmission. This is because the driveline in manual cars can be disconnected, allowing the wheels to roll freely without engaging the engine.

The next best models would be 4-wheel drives with manual locking wheel hubs and a manual transmission. A 4-wheel drive with a manual transfer case can be put in neutral, disengaging both the front and rear driveshafts, making it safe for towing.

Manual locking hubs allow you to disconnect the wheels from the axle, further securing the vehicle for towing and preventing any potential drivetrain damage.

How do you Diagnose an Automatic Transmission Problem?

Look for Fluid Leaks: Transmission fluid is crucial for the operation of an automatic transmission. If you notice patches of red oil under your vehicle, this may be a sign that you’re dealing with a leak. Check the transmission fluid level; low levels can cause several problems.
Identify Grinding or Shaking Sensations: Automatic transmissions should shift smoothly. If you’re experiencing grinding or shaking sensations when shifting gears, this could indicate a problem with the transmission.
Observe Gear Engagement: It should respond immediately when you shift your car into drive or reverse. If your car won’t engage or respond when in gear, it’s a clear sign of a transmission problem.
Listen for Noise in Neutral: If your vehicle makes strange noises while in neutral, this could mean trouble for your transmission. Listen for any buzzing, humming, or whining sounds.
Check the Transmission Warning Light: Many modern cars have transmission warning lights. If this light is on, it signals that something might be wrong with your transmission. It might accompany other symptoms like overheating, poor shifting, or slipping gears.
Pay Attention to the Clutch: In a manual vehicle, if the clutch is dragging, it fails to disengage the clutch disk from the shaft, causing a grinding noise and potentially damaging the transmission.
Notice Unusual Smell: A burning smell could indicate that your transmission fluid has overheated. This could lead to other complications as the transmission fluid’s primary functions are lubricating and serving as a coolant.

What Can Mess Up a Transmission?

Shifting When Not Stopped

This is a common mistake many drivers make, especially those driving automatic transmission vehicles. Shifting from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still in motion can cause significant damage to the transmission.

This is because it forces the transmission components to change direction, resulting in wear and tear abruptly.

For instance, if you’re driving at 30 mph and suddenly shift into reverse, the transmission has to work in overdrive to stop the motion and change direction, leading to potential damage.

Towing Beyond Your Car’s Ability

Vehicles have a designated towing capacity, the maximum weight they can pull without causing damage. Exceeding this limit puts enormous strain on the transmission, leading to overheating and, in severe cases, a complete breakdown.

For example, if a car with a towing capacity of 2000 pounds is forced to pull a 5000-pound trailer, it’s likely to damage the transmission.

Running Low on Transmission Fluid

This fluid acts as a lubricant for the transmission gears. If your car is running low on transmission fluid, it can lead to overheating because the gears aren’t adequately lubricated and create more friction.

This can eventually lead to transmission failure. Imagine running a machine continuously without oil; it will eventually wear down and break due to the increased friction and lack of cooling.

Using The Wrong Transmission Fluid

The transmission fluid you use should be compatible with your car’s make and model. Using the wrong transmission fluid can lead to problems like erratic shifting, overheating, and decreased fuel efficiency.

It’s akin to using diesel in a car designed for unleaded petrol; it won’t work correctly. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the transmission fluid type.

FAQs

What is the most accessible car to tow behind a motorhome?

Jeep Wrangler. This vehicle is frequently seen being towed by motorhomes, a testament to its popularity in this context. The Jeep Wrangler is favored due to its straightforward flat-tow setup process and comparatively small size.

Etrailer.com, an industry expert, further corroborates its popularity as a tow vehicle. Hence, the Jeep Wrangler is ideal for those seeking an easy-to-tow vehicle behind their motorhomes.

What hybrid cars can be flat towed?

No all-electric vehicle is manufacturer-approved to be towed 4-down, but the Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi come close. They’re plug-in hybrids so you can operate them like an electric vehicle.

What causes automatic transmission failure?

The transmission slipping or the engine revving high. This condition can also be caused by low transmission fluid, contamination due to lack of maintenance or water intrusion, or internal wear and tear on the transmission parts inside the transmission.

Is towing a car in neutral bad for the transmission?

You also risk damage to manual transmissions if they are towed while the vehicle is in “park.” These vehicles should be towed in “neutral” only.

Conversely, automatic transmissions do not disengage when the vehicle is in “neutral,” and towing could force the transmission to move in the wrong direction.

How do I keep my transmission cool while towing?

Adding a simple auxiliary cooler in line with the factory unit can nearly double the transmission fluid’s life, keeping your gearbox happy and healthy for a long time.

Aftermarket aluminum pans are also helpful. Their added fluid capacity and finned heat-sink design provide additional cooling.

What is the best way to tow a car behind an RV?

If you wish to tow a vehicle behind your motorhome, flat towing is the most straightforward and trouble-free method. Flat towing involves towing the vehicle on all four wheels.

You get minimal sway when flat towing and the towed vehicle tracks best behind the motorhome.

Can towing mess up transmission?

While you may not think much of it, towing, even for short distances, can significantly damage your vehicle’s transmission.

As long as you maintain your vehicle and do not commit common towing errors, you can ensure you do not cause costly damage to your transmission.

Summary

Towing a Prius behind an RV is generally not recommended, primarily due to the unique design characteristics of hybrid vehicles.

Like other hybrids, the Prius utilizes a complex system of electric motors and batteries that can potentially be damaged during towing.

Specifically, Toyota, the manufacturer of the Prius, explicitly advises against flat-towing these vehicles as it can cause overheating and irreversible damage.

Even tow dollies may not entirely prevent damage to the vehicle’s powertrain. Therefore, if one needs to tow a Prius, it is safest to use a flatbed trailer. This method of towing minimizes the risk of damage by keeping all four wheels off the ground.

In conclusion, while it is technically possible to tow a Prius behind an RV, it is not advised due to the potential for severe damage to the vehicle’s hybrid system.

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