Towing - Toyota Yaris Forums

churp · 04-05-2007, 11:12 PM

I want to tow a paddle boat and camping gear this summer. Has anyone had any personal experience towing with the Yaris....especially an automatic?

PetersRedYaris · 04-06-2007, 12:41 AM

The owners manual has some info about towing.

*Astroman* · 04-06-2007, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PetersRedYaris

The owners manual has some info about towing.

Yeah, it said you shouldn't. But for the canadian Yaris it states you can safely tow up to 700 lbs. Perfect for a utility trailer or a small fishing boat, or a bike rack. I have found a site (but since forgot) that does sell a tow hitch for the liftback. I have found more for the sedan though... If you keep the tow weight low (no camping trailers, look up youtube for a pretty good video of a small car towing a camping trailer up a big hill.) and not climb any mountains you should be fine. If I stumble (or anyone else for that matter) upon the link for the liftback/sedans tow hitch, I will post it here.

ChinoCharles · 04-06-2007, 02:49 AM

I tow my lovely lady lumps eevvveerryyy day.

churp · 04-06-2007, 07:22 AM

hiddenhitch.com has 2 types ...one that is hidden from view when not in use. They aren't listed on their site under Toyota you have to search 'Yaris' from their site. I'm going to go for it, but was just wondering if anyone had realtime experience. And since the rest of the world allows towing figured it should be ok in the US,,,just the stupid warranty issues.

Vervepipes · 04-06-2007, 10:54 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY

churp · 04-06-2007, 12:39 PM

*Astroman* · 04-06-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vervepipes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY

SWEET! You found the exact video I was talking about. You should never tow anything larger than your vehicle, unless you have a good truck! lol

Vervepipes · 04-06-2007, 10:59 PM

I found the video pretty quick, I just had to see it, and I'm getting pretty good at finding the "I once saw a video on..." ones on youtube lol

rningonfumes · 10-27-2008, 08:38 PM

Gonna revive a thread for warranty question.

So considering the US doesn't have a tow rating...how does this work on the warranty...considering you are doing something which isn't "recomended?"

Nelson · 10-27-2008, 10:56 PM

Re Warranty: So long as towing something does not cause the problem that you are trying to get covered under warranty, then there should be no problem with your warranty.

I have installed a hidden hitch on my '08 Yaris hatchback automatic. It was completely painless and took about 20 minutes. We're talking way easy here.

Both Hidden Hitch and DrawTite make serveral hitch options. They are typically between $100 and $200. They are all Class I hitches which have a 2000 lb gross trailer weight and 200 lb tung weight limit.

The Yaris is rated for NO towing in the US, 700 lbs gross & 70 lbs tung in Canada, and I think 900 lbs gross and 90 lbs tung weight in Australia. Probably because there is less gravity in Canada and Astralia than there is in the US.

The Yaris tows light trailers just great. With an automatic, I wouldn't do much mountain travel without a transmission cooler, but heck, you can probably max out the hitch limits for short flatland towing.

The hardest part of setting up towing for a trailer is the wiring for the trailer, but even that is pretty straight forward. You have to buy a little converter box for $15 - $50 and they don't make T-connectors for the Yaris that I could find, so you have to tap into the tail light wiring using QuickSplices (probably took about an hour all together).

drbilal · 10-28-2008, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astroman

SWEET! You found the exact video I was talking about. You should never tow anything larger than your vehicle, unless you have a good truck! lol

Oh f**k lol. I try not to laugh as that looks quite dangerous but I cant help it.

41magmag41 · 10-29-2008, 03:02 PM

Curt and hidden hitch both make hitches for the LB and the sedan. Run around 130 bucks with both the hitch and the draw bar.

U.S. yaris are not to be towed with via the owners manual but the canadian models can tow up to 700 lbs. Don't know why the difference.

If you tow and have a drive line issue with warranty toyota will probably laugh at covering it. Chance you take.

Callisto · 10-29-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vervepipes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY

"He's burning a bit rich." Tee Hee

GeneW · 10-30-2008, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by churp

I want to tow a paddle boat and camping gear this summer. Has anyone had any personal experience towing with the Yaris....especially an automatic?

I think you're gonna regret it over the long term.

Gene

*Astroman* · 10-30-2008, 11:07 AM

Don't diss the paddle boat!

You'll be fine as long as you don't have too much back there, and you properly balance the load. I towed a ancient small utility trailer I bought on craigslist (because it was cheaper than u-haul) about 1,000 miles to california and I averaged 30mpg and the car performed great, even on hills. You'll be fine as long as you use common sense.

SpaceShot · 10-30-2008, 11:23 AM

I got the DrawTite Class I hitch from AutoAnything.com, and the only problem I had was that one of the bolts was impossible to get a wrench on. I ended up putting in from the other direction and using a locknut on the outside.

I don't tow a trailer yet, but use it for a hitch basket and bike rack nearly every other weekend without any trouble. Even though it is not tow rated in US, I was pretty confident as it rated for towing in Canada and UK.

I would suggest keeping with a trailer less than 6 feet long, but otherwise you should be OK.

Revsson · 11-30-2008, 08:11 PM

As it is snowing here now, I am thinking of this spring and biking. I am thinking of
getting a tow hitch mounted bike rack, as I think the Saris Bones model might scratch
the back. I didn't care about scratches on the old car, but do care about the new one.
I usually just have one bike on there, but want the ability to carry at least two.

Has anyone found out why they don't recommend a tow hitch on the US model, even
for a bicycle rack??

Is there anything underneath that would need to be reinforced for a hitch?

04-05-2007, 11:12 PM	#1
churp Clean and (dis)Functional View User's Garage Drives: Yaris 2dr--Black Betty Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tropical Minnesota Posts: 562	Towing I want to tow a paddle boat and camping gear this summer. Has anyone had any personal experience towing with the Yaris....especially an automatic?

10-30-2008, 11:07 AM	#16
Astroman Modded Moderator View User's Garage Drives: 07 Toyota Yaris, 71 Galaxie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 3,670	Don't diss the paddle boat! You'll be fine as long as you don't have too much back there, and you properly balance the load. I towed a ancient small utility trailer I bought on craigslist (because it was cheaper than u-haul) about 1,000 miles to california and I averaged 30mpg and the car performed great, even on hills. You'll be fine as long as you use common sense. __________________ Please visit my online store for computer stuff and Official Yarisworld decals!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tow bar for Yaris	dekers	General Yaris / Vitz Discussion	8	10-28-2009 05:28 AM
What is that circle thing?	Mad Munchkin	Photo-Video-Media Gallery	13	09-26-2006 01:27 PM

04-06-2007, 12:41 AM	#2
PetersRedYaris View User's Garage Drives: 2005 Scion xB Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Black Hills of South Dakota Posts: 1,059	The owners manual has some info about towing.

04-06-2007, 02:49 AM	#4
ChinoCharles Banned Drives: LB Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH Posts: 7,787	I tow my lovely lady lumps eevvveerryyy day.

04-06-2007, 07:22 AM	#5
churp Clean and (dis)Functional View User's Garage Drives: Yaris 2dr--Black Betty Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tropical Minnesota Posts: 562	hiddenhitch.com has 2 types ...one that is hidden from view when not in use. They aren't listed on their site under Toyota you have to search 'Yaris' from their site. I'm going to go for it, but was just wondering if anyone had realtime experience. And since the rest of the world allows towing figured it should be ok in the US,,,just the stupid warranty issues.

04-06-2007, 10:54 AM	#6
Vervepipes CowCountry Hornet Handler Drives: '08 Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Halifax, NS Posts: 176	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY

04-06-2007, 12:39 PM	#7
churp Clean and (dis)Functional View User's Garage Drives: Yaris 2dr--Black Betty Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tropical Minnesota Posts: 562

04-06-2007, 10:59 PM	#9
Vervepipes CowCountry Hornet Handler Drives: '08 Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Halifax, NS Posts: 176	I found the video pretty quick, I just had to see it, and I'm getting pretty good at finding the "I once saw a video on..." ones on youtube lol

10-27-2008, 08:38 PM	#10
rningonfumes Drives: Yaris Sedan 5MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 865	Gonna revive a thread for warranty question. So considering the US doesn't have a tow rating...how does this work on the warranty...considering you are doing something which isn't "recomended?"

10-27-2008, 10:56 PM	#11
Nelson Drives: 2008 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 5	Re Warranty: So long as towing something does not cause the problem that you are trying to get covered under warranty, then there should be no problem with your warranty. I have installed a hidden hitch on my '08 Yaris hatchback automatic. It was completely painless and took about 20 minutes. We're talking way easy here. Both Hidden Hitch and DrawTite make serveral hitch options. They are typically between $100 and $200. They are all Class I hitches which have a 2000 lb gross trailer weight and 200 lb tung weight limit. The Yaris is rated for NO towing in the US, 700 lbs gross & 70 lbs tung in Canada, and I think 900 lbs gross and 90 lbs tung weight in Australia. Probably because there is less gravity in Canada and Astralia than there is in the US. The Yaris tows light trailers just great. With an automatic, I wouldn't do much mountain travel without a transmission cooler, but heck, you can probably max out the hitch limits for short flatland towing. The hardest part of setting up towing for a trailer is the wiring for the trailer, but even that is pretty straight forward. You have to buy a little converter box for $15 - $50 and they don't make T-connectors for the Yaris that I could find, so you have to tap into the tail light wiring using QuickSplices (probably took about an hour all together).

10-29-2008, 03:02 PM	#13
41magmag41 Drives: Loaded 2007 mica silver sedan Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New hampshire Posts: 226	Curt and hidden hitch both make hitches for the LB and the sedan. Run around 130 bucks with both the hitch and the draw bar. U.S. yaris are not to be towed with via the owners manual but the canadian models can tow up to 700 lbs. Don't know why the difference. If you tow and have a drive line issue with warranty toyota will probably laugh at covering it. Chance you take.

10-30-2008, 11:23 AM	#17
SpaceShot Drives: 2008 Yaris 5 speed HB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NH Posts: 171	I got the DrawTite Class I hitch from AutoAnything.com, and the only problem I had was that one of the bolts was impossible to get a wrench on. I ended up putting in from the other direction and using a locknut on the outside. I don't tow a trailer yet, but use it for a hitch basket and bike rack nearly every other weekend without any trouble. Even though it is not tow rated in US, I was pretty confident as it rated for towing in Canada and UK. I would suggest keeping with a trailer less than 6 feet long, but otherwise you should be OK.

11-30-2008, 08:11 PM	#18
Revsson View User's Garage Drives: 2009 Meteorite Metallic LB MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southeast Wisconsin Posts: 810	As it is snowing here now, I am thinking of this spring and biking. I am thinking of getting a tow hitch mounted bike rack, as I think the Saris Bones model might scratch the back. I didn't care about scratches on the old car, but do care about the new one. I usually just have one bike on there, but want the ability to carry at least two. Has anyone found out why they don't recommend a tow hitch on the US model, even for a bicycle rack?? Is there anything underneath that would need to be reinforced for a hitch?