With the smaller capacity for the trunk, I was thinking of towing a small motorcycle style trailer to hold additional suitcases when four of us are traveling. The owner manual stated we can't tow. Has anyone added a hitch to the hybrid for a small trailer or a bike rack? What would the ramifications be?
With the smaller capacity for the trunk, I was thinking of towing a small motorcycle style trailer to hold additional suitcases when four of us are traveling. The owner manual stated we can't tow. Has anyone added a hitch to the hybrid for a small trailer or a bike rack? What would the ramifications be?
Your warranty would fly out the window!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That would suit Toyota just fine.....
__________________ '07 Japanese XLE I4 (Heated Leather, VSC, Mats), Dual Exhaust, K&N Air Filter, Mudguards, Modified Front/Rear Emblems, Lip Spoiler, MTEC 4,750 K High, H9 Low and Fogs, Painted Fogs, Chrome (GS300 Wheels, Pillars, Hybrid Grille, Lower Grille, Trunk Accent, Door Handles), Wood Steering Wheel, Red Out LED Tail lights, Eyelids, 19MM Rear Sway Bar, Front Strut Bar, LED Signal-Heated-Power Folding Mirrors
I saw someone selling a hitch for an 07 Camry (maybe it was on ebay?) that he used to mount a bike rack. While I wouldn't want to tow anything with my TCH, I can't imagine why you shouldn't be able to use the bike rack or luggage attachments on the hitch.
I'm sure you can do it, and it would work just fine. I think it might kill your gas mileage and bring it down to less than a regular car. But... I don't think it's a crazy idea or anything.
There is a clause in the Toyota Extended Warranty contract that guarantees invalidation if you tow anything in excess of the recommended towing limit.
Since the TCH towing limit is ZERO the Extended Warranty would be toast.
Not sure about the 3/36000 bumper to bumper warranty though.
J
Hi, probably not too much of a problem if you operate in flat country and don't mind a voided warantee. Decending a steep or long downgrade with the Hybrid is somewhat of a revelation. There is no engine compression braking and the thing takes off like a rocket. There is a "B" position on the tranny selector and this is for use in this situation. It is a magnetic brake device that uses no mechanical braking, thus no pad wear. I do not know what the added weight might do to this device. Toyota service told me it was all but indestructible. Your situation might put it to test. Personally, I would find an alternative method. The car was not meant for towing! The operating manual does not say much of the B usage.
I am afraid there is no magnetic braking in the B position. What I call magnetic braking is inducing a magnetic field into some steel disc, creating eddy currents that absorb rotational energy. Maybe we're just not using the same words here.
I measured the battery current in the B position, and the system does indeed regenerate (MG-1 to the traction battery) until the battery is full, but most of the work is performed by spinning the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) in compression mode.
I have a Harley that I plan to tow with my TCH, before I bought the TCH, I talked with the Toyota Service Manager and he showed me where the owners manual says towing is "not recommended" it does not say anything about it being prohibited. Furthermore, he said that towing less than 1000lbs will not do anything to void your warranty. Another TCH forum, ToyotaNation, I recieved several replies from TCH owners that tow their Harleys with no problems at all. The bottom line is that Toyota says keep it under 1000lbs, it doesn't void your warranty and it is just recommended that you not do it, but it is not prohibited.........have a nice one.
Hitch for the HYBRID
Linear Mode
