Towing a trailer, anyone?

[churp]

Sorry the pic is a little dark. Just finished a 1000 mile trip with the trailer...480 there empty, 480 back with a John Deere 300x, and about 80 miles while there getting my Dad into assisted living. Gas mileage suffered, I drove 65-70 mph. I have an auto tranny and it was in the 90-100 degree range during the day all weekend.

[ellenbetty]

There could be a carriage difference between the Yaris design sold in the US and the Yaris sold in other countries. For example of known differences between models, Toyota offers different size motors, and a diesel motor, in Europe, than are not offered in the US.

Plus there are import restrictions between the US and Canada because of different emissions standards.

So there could be enough differences between the US model other models that make towing with the US version unsafe.

Since Toyota provides a towing loop bolt for the US model of the Yaris, and recommends that tow truck operators not tow the US version of the Yaris using the under carriage, because of how light the under carriage is on the US model of the Yaris, Toyota may view the US version of the Yaris to be unsafe to do any towing.

If you decide to tow, with make sure that you have maximum automobile insurance coverage available.

[Astroman]

Originally Posted by ellenbetty

There could be a carriage difference between the Yaris design sold in the US and the Yaris sold in other countries. For example of known differences between models, Toyota offers different size motors, and a diesel motor, in Europe, than are not offered in the US.

Plus there are import restrictions between the US and Canada because of different emissions standards.

So there could be enough differences between the US model other models that make towing with the US version unsafe.

Since Toyota provides a towing loop bolt for the US model of the Yaris, and recommends that tow truck operators not tow the US version of the Yaris using the under carriage, because of how light the under carriage is on the US model of the Yaris, Toyota may view the US version of the Yaris to be unsafe to do any towing.

Honestly, what you said is just speculation here. The cars are the same in Canada and the US build-wise, along with Europe. The most likely reason they don't want you to tow in the US is so you go buy a Tacoma or Tundra pickup instead, lol. The undercarriage being "light" is not why toyota recommends towing by the wheels, it's to prevent damage to the car and transmission. The loop bolt is not for towing BTW, it's there in case you get stuck in a ditch, and there is no access to the rear to pull the vehicle out. I put a few thousand towing miles on my AT yaris. The only time it had an issue was when I had negative tongue weight, and that tow was only a few miles in town.

[fmicle]

Here I am at the campground, got a site with electricity this time and they also have wifi, so I can post some pictures. 88 miles, one way, tomorrow we're driving back.

I must say I'm impressed, this configuration was easier to drive than I expected. The car handles just fine and drove most of the uphill sections of our trip in 5th gear at 55-60 mph. I think I will be using this trailer for many more trips to come.

And now for some UHAUL product placement. The Sport Trailer weighs about 550 lbs empty and costs $20 a day:







I got a thumbs up from a little girl riding in a passing Toyota Sequoia on the way here

[nemelek]

Originally Posted by fmicle

Here I am at the campground, got a site with electricity this time and they also have wifi, so I can post some pictures. 88 miles, one way, tomorrow we're driving back.

I must say I'm impressed, this configuration was easier to drive than I expected. The car handles just fine and drove most of the uphill sections of our trip in 5th gear at 55-60 mph. I think I will be using this trailer for many more trips to come.

And now for some UHAUL product placement. The Sport Trailer weighs about 550 lbs empty and costs $20 a day:







I got a thumbs up from a little girl riding in a passing Toyota Sequoia on the way here

That's a cute little set up. Towing 200 miles a few times a year probably wont hurt anything. But those are still hard miles and doing it every weekend would cause increased wear and tear on the Yaris.

By the way you have the best color Yaris Toyota makes.

[Sodium Duck]

I just ordered a Draw-Tite hitch from etrailer.com. Also was able to find a 5% off coupon online: YT09. So total came to $88.XX shipped.

I will be pulling a small utility trailer for bringing trash to the dump, inner tubes for river trips, and maybe two bicycles -- or whatever small items need to be hauled. GTW will never be more than 200-300 lbs. Basically like having two of my friends in the back seat (which won't happen simultaneously).

[driftwood]

Originally Posted by Sodium Duck

I just ordered a Draw-Tite hitch from etrailer.com. Also was able to find a 5% off coupon online: YT09. So total came to $88.XX shipped.

I will be pulling a small utility trailer for bringing trash to the dump, inner tubes for river trips, and maybe two bicycles -- or whatever small items need to be hauled. GTW will never be more than 200-300 lbs. Basically like having two of my friends in the back seat (which won't happen simultaneously).

Thanks! I just ordered one too.

[Revsson]

I just had an oil change at the dealer, and asked the service "advisor" about
hitches and installing CB or amateur radios. He said he hadn't heard anything
about issues with either one. Maybe I should have talked to a service
technician, as he didn't seem to know about issues with the airbag sensors.
He also didn't know that the manual said not to tow in the USA, but Canada
was okay.

He gave me a free quote on installing a "non-Toyota" hidden hitch
...somewhere around $442.00.
Yikes, from what I have read here, I could install it myself for less.
I'm still trying to decide if I want to spend the money on a hitch mounted
bike carrier. Haven't ridden the bicycle hardly at all this summer.

Anyway, thanks for all the info that you guys and gals are submitting
to this thread.

[Sodium Duck]

When I spoke to Toyota about 2-way radios, the "technician" there said that I should just keep it as far away from the ECU as possible. I doubt it would be a problem running barefoot on CB anyways.

And yea, $442.00 is a bit excessive for a $90.00 hitch...

[WeeYari]

At $442.00, it sounds like desuasive pricing to me. They really didn't want to do it. That's like $14 per minute. Did that atleast include wiring in a harness?

[Ataristyle]

I'm debating of selling my S10 ZR2 Pickup and replacing it with a yaris. I've owned Festivas in the past so I like the little car feel. Made a hitch for my 63hp Festiva and worked fine. Thing is, I will need the Yaris to pull my 1,000lb Jet Boat + trailer(300lbs?). No doubt she'll pull, but when I need to take the boat out of the water I fear the boat will pull the little car into the water with it. Boat launch is down the block from me, so its not a far drive. Its either a hitch on the Yaris or my '70 VW Bus. If I get a Yaris it will be stick. Anyone ever pull a boat with theirs?

[birdman]

Yakimas "Rack and Roll" ultra light alloy trailer with a telescopic tongue can hold Multiple kayaks, Canoes, bicycles, you name it.
Keeping loads to 700 pounds is probably a bit less than a Yaris can manage. They know people are going to way over load them so they keep their recommended tow weight conservative. I've seen tiny cars in Europe towing small super light travel trailers, so I imagine this little giant can too.

[2006fronty]

Originally Posted by birdman

Yakimas "Rack and Roll" ultra light alloy trailer with a telescopic tongue can hold Multiple kayaks, Canoes, bicycles, you name it.
Keeping loads to 700 pounds is probably a bit less than a Yaris can manage. They know people are going to way over load them so they keep their recommended tow weight conservative. I've seen tiny cars in Europe towing small super light travel trailers, so I imagine this little giant can too.

Wow those are expensive

[HighVelocity]

Try this............................................

http://www.bushtecmotorcycletrailers.com/

[exit90a]

I was asking about transmission coolers for towing. I already have a trailer for towing motorcycles ON. Your link is for trailers to tow behind a motorcycle.