The towing restrictions are for the most stupid idiots among us that would try to tow Large things at 85 MPH and then blame everyone else for their problems. I tow my boat, COM trailer, and utility trailers behind my prius locally.
I'd be a fool to try to tow an RV trailer across country though. Yet both applications are for "trailers." And since no one reads the instructions, they have to limit their towing to the lowest common denominator of idiot. Oh, the normal 55 MPG prius gets 35 MPG towing at 55 MPH to the local scout events. Bob -----Original Message----- From: EV <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Peter VanDerWal via EV Sent: Monday, June 22, 2020 1:33 PM To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [EVDL] Chevy Bolt EV towing capacity NOT! Actually, from what I've read, the main limitation of towing has mainly to do with how safe the combination is at highway speeds. Most states do not limit speed when towing so in order to be rated to tow a trailer, a vehicle HAS to be able to do it safely at the highest speed allowed, which in the USA is currently 85 mph (perhaps higher? Montana?). I wouldn't want to tow any kind of trailer behind a bolt at 85 mph. June 21, 2020 11:43 AM, "Lee Hart via EV" <[email protected]> wrote: > Willie via EV wrote: > >> It really depends on your anal retentiveness or how risk averse you are. > > EVDL Administrator via EV wrote: >>> And on whether you're willing to discard the warranty on a $30K+ vehicle. > > Willie via EV wrote: >> Agreed. The risk averse should not install a trailer hitch on a car >> whose maker prohibits towing. The less risk averse realize that >> installation of the hitch does not automatically void all aspects of >> the warranty. > > The physics of the matter is that towing increases the strain on the > batteries, controller, motor, and brakes. Manufacturers prefer to > skimp on them to save cost. Towing just might put some part a little > above its maximum design limit. Thus, towing increases the chances of a failure during warranty. > > But of course, how you drive and how often you tow makes a huge > difference. Do you do it often? Do you still drive at 80 mph with a trailer? In the mountains? > > But if you drive very gently when towing, the strain on the drive > train can actually be less than the "stop light racers" who drive like the accellerator and brake pedal are on/off switches. > > So it's easy for the dealer and manufacturer to say "no towing". If it > breaks during warranty, they can use the hitch as evidence and deny > any coverage. Even if you have never in fact towed anything, they win; you lose! > > Me; I tow with older vehicles that don't have any warranty anyway. > And, I'm a very conservative driver. I've never had any problems due to towing. > > Lee Hart > > -- If happiness is on your mind, here's a daily list to find: > - something to do > - something to look forward to > - someone to love > - someone to take good care of > - and misbehave, just a little > -- > Lee Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, www.sunrise-ev.com > _______________________________________________ > UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub > ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive/index.html > INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org > Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA > (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA) _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive/index.html INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA) _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive/index.html INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
