Has anyone used a hybrid to tow a small pop up camper ? I want to go less than 50 miles at 55mph and less. The hybrid isn't supposed to tow more than 1000 pounds because of electric energy use when in reverse. Also, the trailer wiring harness for the hybrid is $80 - 100. Why can't a regular wiring harness be spliced into the wires ( like I could do with my 1985 truck ) instead of having the plug connectors in the tail light assembly ? I have a 2008 with 94,000 miles, no backup camera, 4 cyl automatic.
kimpossible
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851 Posts
My opinion is that the Hybrid's conservative towing rating is due to the fact that on the longest steepest mountain highway descents in North America, the regenerative braking soon fills the hybrid battery to capacity. After that, the "L" gear provides very little engine braking, and so all braking has to be done with the mechanical brakes. It's like a big transport truck trying to get down a steep descent by using the brakes alone. If the descent is sufficiently severe, the FEH will have smoking brakes by the bottom, even with a rated 1000lb trailer. No, I haven't towed with my FEH, but I have come down gravel roads that required coming down slowly to allow the brakes enough time to vent enough heat so they didn't end up smoking hot. Even cars with normal automatic transmissions can use their lower gears to reduce the demands on the brakes. But if you're in flat country, this obviously is not an issue.
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