As part of Toyota’s desire to engineer greater driving appeal into its cars, most current generation Toyota Hybrid models have the capacity to tow trailers and caravans. This might lead owners to wonder how about hybrid towing and how much their car is able to tow.
The regulations surrounding towing can be quite complicated to understand. So while this post is not designed to explain all the rules on this subject, we hope it clears some confusion by supplying straightforward answers to important, frequently asked questions.
Within this post we have also supplied relevant links to official government pages, related associations, and Toyota resources.
1) Hybrid towing – Which Toyota Hybrid models can tow?
The latest generation Yaris, Corolla, Toyota C-HR, RAV4 and Prius.
Moving upwards in towing ability, the latest Yaris has a towing capacity of 450kg. The Prius and Toyota C-HR share a recommended towing capacity of 725kg for both a braked or unbraked trailer. You can read more about this in our special feature on towing with a Prius. Meanwhile, all Corolla models – Hatchback, Touring Sports and Saloon – have an unbraked capacity of 450kg and a braked towing capacity of 750kg.
All RAV4 models have a legal towing capacity of 750kg for unbraked trailers. But with regard to braked trailers (where the trailer has its own braking system), the front-wheel drive RAV4 has a recommended towing capacity of 800kg and the all-wheel drive RAV4 has a 1,650kg capacity. Straddling the two is the new RAV4 Plug-in, which has a braked trailer maximum set at a 1,500kg.
For more information on how legal towing capacities are calculated, please see question four.
2) Hybrid towing – Can I tow with a Toyota Camry?
The current generation Camry has not been homologated to tow in the United Kingdom.
Some hybrid Camry models in other markets have been specially configured to tow light loads but these models are not available in the UK. Their cooling systems are different and the components cannot be retro-fitted to UK-spec cars.
3) Hybrid towing – What am I allowed to tow?
It depends on when you passed your driving test, the weight of your car and what you are towing.
You can get the latest rules and restrictions on the government services and information website.
4) What is my car legally allowed to tow?
The figure authorities use to enforce the maximum towing capacity of a vehicle can be found on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate. This goes for all cars, not just those capable of hybrid towing.
Not all vehicles have been homologated to tow, but those that have will display either three or four sets of figures on the VIN plate. Reading from top to bottom, these will be the gross vehicle weight (the maximum mass of the vehicle including occupants, fuel and load), the gross vehicle train weight (the combined maximum mass of the vehicle and trailer) and the maximum loads across the front and rear axles respectively.
In order to create a recommended maximum towing capacity, vehicle manufacturers usually deduct the gross vehicle weight from the gross vehicle train weight.
For more advice on your specific Toyota model and hybrid towing, please follow this link to the My Toyota site where you download a copy of the owner’s manual for your car.
See more: Towing the line with the new Toyota Prius
Further information: National Trailer & Towing Association
Further information: AA guidance on towing
I have a 2014 automatic Hybrid Auris. I would like to know if I can have a tow bar fitted to cater for two E. Bikes weighing 25 kg each or 20 kg each if battery is removed.
Hi Karen,
Please provide the full vehicle registration so we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
Hi, I’m looking at purchasing a 2021 brand new Corolla GR Sport, 2.0 litre and wanted to enquire whether I can fit a detachable tow bar that can take a minimum nose weight of 75kg to carry a Thule bike rack that carries 3 non-electric bikes.?
Hi there,
Thanks for your comment and thank you for your interest in the Corolla.
Based on the price list, the detachable tow bar is not compatible on the GR Sport.
We would recommend contacting your Toyota Centre to discuss further options.
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thanks.
Hi, i have a chr 1.8 hybrid and wish to buy a caravan, im looking at a Bailey Pageant Champaigne 2008 4 berth, will my car tow this caravan
Hi Bill,
Please provide your vehicle registration so we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
I am importing a Toyota Estima hybrid 2009 from Japan to the UK. Can I fit a towbar suitable for a bike rack? Thank you.
Hi Matt,
We do not have any information on imported vehicles, we would recommend discussing this with your nearest Toyota Centre.
Thanks.
Thanks for your reply re the Toyota Estima hybrid. Would it be possible for you to speak to someone at a Toyota Centre and get back to me? That would be really helpful.
Hi Matt,
Our Technical Team have advised that for imported vehicles there isn’t a genuine Toyota Towbar we can supply.
We would recommend you look for a third party tow bar supplier.
Thanks.
That’s a shame, but thanks for your reply.
Is there a genuine Toyota towbar made in Japan that I could import?
Hi Matt,
Unfortunately, we do not have any information on this.
We apologise that we cannot assist you further.
Thanks.
I have just bought a new Toyota highlander 2.5 with fitted towbar detachable brinks
This towbar is far to high for the caravan hitch of 0.440 when I contact briinks with my reg they say they do not make one is it true you are fitting a rav towbar
Hi Raymond,
Thanks for your comment, and congratulations on your new Highlander.
Please can you provide your vehicle registration and exactly what you have ordered so we can look into this.
Thanks.
Reg pk71awu the towbar was ordered by Toyota part number pw960_or006th detachable towball brink towing systems
Hi Raymond,
Thanks for your comment.
Please could you confirm the part number again, as the one you have provided doesn’t seem to appear.
Thanks.
That’s the all point of my inquiry this part number is off the invoice I believe that that Toyota has not got a towbar that fits my requirement
Hi Raymond,
The following part numbers are applicable to your vehicle.
13 Pin Electrics – PW5D00E002
Fixed Towing Hitch – PW9600E005
Horizontal Detachable Towing Hitch – PW9600E006
If you have any of these, they will fit your Highlander.
Thanks.
Absolutely astounded to find that after placing an order for a 2021 Dealership Demonstrator Rav4 Hybrid AWD that Toyota (one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world) does not have a Toyota towbar solution for Al-Ko caravan chassis. Dealership have just informed us it would invalidate the Toyota warranty on their towbar if we fitted an aftermarket Al-Ko tow ball head.
Hi there,
We are sorry to hear about the inconvenience this has caused.
Is there anything further we can do to assist you at this time?
Thanks.
No thank you, I have just cancelled the order. It’s a shame this would have been our 4th Rav4 and first Hybrid.
We need tow cars Toyota
Please can you confirm the maximum nose weight of a Yaris cross. I intend to fit a bike rack onto the tow bar and aside from the nose weight I require 8inches clearance from the two bar to the bumper
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for your comment.
For vehicles with a towing package, the nose weight is 75kg.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.