Towing a trailer, anyone?

[GeneW]

I don't recommend if you have an AT.

Gene

[justjesus]

But, per my 2008 Owner's Manual of the Toyota Yaris Hatchback (p.155)

The following doesn't seem to apply to Canadian models.

"Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch carrier of a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your Toyota is not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers."

It appears you may tow with a Canadian model. There are a couple of pages (starting p. 156) that give you the specs, how to balance it, some driving tips etc. I'm not about to quote those pages, sorry.

[Astroman]

Originally Posted by GeneW

I don't recommend if you have an AT.

Gene

My AT performed amazing towing, as long as you balance the load. I went over 1,000 miles with over 1,200 lbs total weight (passengers, dogs, gear, trailer) with a old 4x8 utility trailer and in all honesty it drove better (and netted almost 20mpg more) than my '87 Chevy Astro with a 4.3L V6. Just keep the trailer light, but for camping like you mentioned you should be fine.

[WolfWings]

Originally Posted by GeneW

I don't recommend if you have an AT.

Actually, an Automatic Transmission is better at towing for most current cars, including our Yaris. Instead of slipping the clutch under the heavier load, the torque converter just does what it's designed for and multiplies the torque to let you get moving easier. It's also very easy to add an oil cooler to most automatic transmissions, which can almost eliminate the added wear and tear from towing.

For example, you could only get the Metric Tonne towing package for a Jeep Comanche with the AT because it was feasable to hook up a transmission-fluid cooler since the AT fluid was actively pumped like engine oil is, and and the stock AT torque converter could handle the load but the stock MT clutch would burn out.

With that package and a 5th-wheel kit reinforcing the frame? Those things are BEASTLY tow machines though, they have no problem towing a 35-foot 5th-wheel RV in the 16,000lbs range at 65 for hours on end. On a sub-3,500lbs compact pickup truck, mind.

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by WolfWings

Actually, an Automatic Transmission is better at towing for most current cars, including our Yaris. Instead of slipping the clutch under the heavier load, the torque converter just does what it's designed for and multiplies the torque to let you get moving easier. It's also very easy to add an oil cooler to most automatic transmissions, which can almost eliminate the added wear and tear from towing.

For example, you could only get the Metric Tonne towing package for a Jeep Comanche with the AT because it was feasable to hook up a transmission-fluid cooler since the AT fluid was actively pumped like engine oil is, and and the stock AT torque converter could handle the load but the stock MT clutch would burn out.

With that package and a 5th-wheel kit reinforcing the frame? Those things are BEASTLY tow machines though, they have no problem towing a 35-foot 5th-wheel RV in the 16,000lbs range at 65 for hours on end. On a sub-3,500lbs compact pickup truck, mind.

I don't doubt that the AT will do a better job at towing than an MT, especially given the "grabbing" I've been hearing about with Yaris clutches.

Can the AT hack it? Cooling isn't quite enough, you also need to modify the AT in SOME CASES to accept higher loads.

Gene