2010 Prius: Transporting a power wheelchair?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by spraypaintprius, Apr 1, 2025.

  1. spraypaintprius

    spraypaintprius New Member

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    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I have the rather silly situation of wanting to transport a power wheelchair (~200 lbs) in a 2010 Prius (since that's the vehicle I have).

    Ecohitch has a class II hitch (300 lb capacity) and with a hitch-mounted carrier (75 lbs), it just barely fits within weight limits for the hitch. My concern there is the rear suspension. I just got the rear wheel bearings replaced, and I don't think Toyota expected 300 lbs hanging off the back, so that would likely be pretty rough. They do say no towing of anything...

    Would there be some modification to the rear suspension that would enable this? Ideally something that wouldn't completely change the handling of the car when not loaded, and not compromise safety.

    I have considered transporting it internally as well - with the seat detached from the base, I think it could fit. The challenge there is that you have to lift that weight up into the car, and put the wheelchair back together, which is a pain.

    Any ideas/experience? I am brainstorming at this point as it would be useful to be able to transport the wheelchair and a different vehicle is expensive.
     
    #1 spraypaintprius, Apr 1, 2025
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    You could put some lifting pads on the rear shocks to raise it an inch or two, which would be a huge help but awkward when you're not hauling the chair.

    Also you'll be fine with the weight but if there's any way you can shorten the length of the mount/lever that goes into the hitch that will lower the tongue weight in big ways. Also upgrade to bigger washers and bolt heads on hitch bar mounts.

    In my own experience, I mounted 300+ pounds of woodchipper parts this way for a 700 mile drive. Everything was fine until I was in the big city and forced to merge in a slow lane at 70mph and hit a giant dip in the highway which twisted my hitch receiver down by a 1/2 inch, but no damage other than that.

    So as long as you don't drive too fast on bouncy highways to prevent putting too much force on the hitch bar you'll be fine.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Apr 1, 2025
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Time to change vehicles.

    I'm not aware of a thing you can do to a Prius that makes it okay to haul that much weight on the back for any regular amount of usage. Trailer hitches are often massively over-spec'd... but really they're just helping you bend your car.

    Sorry about the circumstances.
     
    #3 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Apr 1, 2025
  4. MAX2

    MAX2 Senior Member

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    #4 MAX2, Apr 3, 2025
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