Interesting way of towing..

samt · 03 February 2013, 15:58

don't think its road legal though.

Quadbike, SIB inshore boat with outboard Engine package. | eBay

PeterM · 03 February 2013, 17:48

Nothing can top this ....

Peter_C · 03 February 2013, 18:19

^ Way cool!

I shot the photo below yesterday, of my new drive system that is about to be heavily modified, as in everything but the motors and controller thrown away. I will build an aluminum frame and put sand tires on it, then build a cradle for the front of the boat. My goal is to drive just the boat, minus the trailer, across our beaches for launching and recovery. Something more along the lines of Sealegs, but not nearly as cool.

Here in the USA people laugh at me for towing my SIB with a Prius not a BIG American truck. I laugh at them though as I get 30 mpg towing, not 11 mpg last my last truck.

Leapy · 03 February 2013, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Here in the USA people laugh at me for towing my SIB with a Prius not a BIG American truck

Isn't that because you're not supposed to tow with hybrids as it screws up the batteries?

RAZZER · 03 February 2013, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

Isn't that because you're not supposed to tow with hybrids as it screws up the batteries?

If you not supposed to tow with a hybrid why do they make a tow bar for it ! Or is held on with a ratchet strap to the fender as they say in the States...

Leapy · 03 February 2013, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAZZER

If you not supposed to tow with a hybrid why do they make a tow bar for it ! Or is held on with a ratchet strap to the fender as they say in the States...

"Toyota tells us that it does not offer the option of fitting a towbar to a Prius, because it's possible for the battery packs to overheat after a period of prolonged towing."

For the same reason, Lexus 4x4's are not recommended for off-road

mick · 03 February 2013, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

"Toyota tells us that it does not offer the option of fitting a towbar to a Prius, because it's possible for the battery packs to overheat after a period of prolonged towing."

For the same reason, Lexus 4x4's are not recommended for off-road

Wonder what there like in floods

Leapy · 03 February 2013, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

Wonder what there like in floods

Lexus don't quote a wading depth.

Does that answer your question?

mick · 03 February 2013, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

Lexus don't quote a wading depth.

Does that answer your question?

Yep there shite

RAZZER · 03 February 2013, 21:03

Just googled Prius details and it seems the tow bar is for carrying bikes !

Peter_C · 03 February 2013, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAZZER

Just googled Prius details and it seems the tow bar is for carrying bikes !

I built my own receiver hitch out of 1.75" DOM to tow! It is also reinforced with a load bar going forward. Of course my hitch just carried our bikes on the Thule bike rack this afternoon as we went for a nice ride on this beautiful sunny day

The car is not supposed to tow due to warranty on the inverter, and has nothing to do with the chassis/brakes. Since I really never did care about warranties it was never an issue for me, as a master auto tech. My Prius is also heavily modified, with better wheels/tires, suspension upgrades, chassis reinforcements, and a Scan Gauge II to monitor vitals. The chassis is similar to a Corolla that is rated to tow over 1,000lbs. A 600lb boat and trailer is nothing.

What I find funny is you guys in Europe looking at a Prius going no way, when I look at RIB's being towed by undersized vehicles all the time.

ncp · 04 February 2013, 05:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

What I find funny is you guys in Europe looking at a Prius going no way, when I look at RIB's being towed by undersized vehicles all the time.

I second that.

I'm constantly amazed at the size of the ribs you guys tow with some really small cars.

Leapy · 04 February 2013, 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncp

I second that.

I'm constantly amazed at the size of the ribs you guys tow with some really small cars.

Are you praising us for ingenuity or criticising us for alledged recklessness? :wink:

BTW: "Undersized" and "really small" are relative terms. It depends what you're comparing to :wink: (again)

Leapy · 04 February 2013, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

Yep there shite*

*shite - slang engineering term for a 4x4 vehicle designed for an unclear purpose but which doesn't include off-roading, wading and towing

Pikey Dave · 04 February 2013, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

*shite - slang engineering term for a 4x4 vehicle designed for posing

There, fixed that for you

dnv · 04 February 2013, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncp

I second that.

I'm constantly amazed at the size of the ribs you guys tow with some really small cars.

you guys have really small ...
http://youtu.be/xiA7ihgqRLI

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

Leapy · 04 February 2013, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

There, fixed that for you

Ah, thanks PD. I've been away from up norf for too long. I needed a true Northener to spell it out : thumbs:

Pity thez from t'wrong side t'Pennines lad otherwise a cud've taken a likin to thee.

ian parkes · 04 February 2013, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

I built my own receiver hitch out of 1.75" DOM to tow! It is also reinforced with a load bar going forward. Of course my hitch just carried our bikes on the Thule bike rack this afternoon as we went for a nice ride on this beautiful sunny day

The car is not supposed to tow due to warranty on the inverter, and has nothing to do with the chassis/brakes. Since I really never did care about warranties it was never an issue for me, as a master auto tech. My Prius is also heavily modified, with better wheels/tires, suspension upgrades, chassis reinforcements, and a Scan Gauge II to monitor vitals. The chassis is similar to a Corolla that is rated to tow over 1,000lbs. A 600lb boat and trailer is nothing.

What I find funny is you guys in Europe looking at a Prius going no way, when I look at RIB's being towed by undersized vehicles all the time.

Shame the latest top gear tour of the states missed you Pete they could have made a great program with your modded Prius .

chewy · 05 February 2013, 10:57

In the UK if your car isn't designed for towing it won't be rated which makes it illegal.

The ford ka isn't rated for towing, if you do fit a tow bar and use it for towing you'll be breaking the law.

Nos4r2 · 05 February 2013, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

In the UK if it's new enough to be CE marked or plated and isn't an import-for which data isn't available if your car isn't designed for towing it won't be rated which makes it illegal.

The ford ka isn't rated for towing, if you do fit a tow bar and use it for towing you'll be breaking the law.

Nearly-see my bold.