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
Hi, I’ve got a chr 1.8 18 plate am I right in thinking I can tow upto 725 kg.
Hi James,
Please provide your vehicle registration so we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
Hi,
I have a Toyota Yaris Hybrid 2021 plate and I am just trying to confirm if I can get a tow bar fitted in order to tow a small trailer. The feedback that I am getting seem to be mixed, with some saying that I can and others saying that I can’t tow with a Hybrid vehicle. Any advice you can give would be great.
Many thanks,
Hi Peter, thanks for your comment.
You can get a towbar fitted to your Yaris Hybrid but it can only tow up to 450KG.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
Thanks for coming back to me. If I get one fitted, will this affect my vehicle guarantee / warranty at all?
Many thanks,
Hi Peter,
This should not affect your warranty.
We recommend getting this fitted at your Toyota Centre.
Please contact them for more information.
Thanks.
My 2020 RAV4 keeps activating the emergency brake when I try to reverse my caravan. Can I turn it off when towing?
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your question.
The Parking Support Brake can be disabled on the Settings screen of the multi-information display.
When it has been successfully disabled, the ‘PKSB OFF’ indicator illuminates on the multi-information display.
Further details of how to do this are in your Owner’s Manual.
Thanks.
I am about to take delivery of a new Corolla Touring Sport Excel. It was ordered with a tow bar however it was delivered to the dealership without one. Querying to Toyota they were informed that “Due to a global shortage of semi-conductors, a key component of the wiring harness, we are now experiencing severe Pan-E supply disruption on selected Genuine Towing parts. Following extensive consultation with suppliers, we are unable to provide a recovery timeline at this stage, although the expectation is that disruption is likely to continue until early 2023.”
I am happy to wait until 2023 to have one fitted by the dealership however they can’t agree to that with me as Toyota can’t provide a cost.
If I have a type approved tow bar fitted can you confirm that the warranty will not immediately be invalidated with the proviso being, as you earlier stated in this Comments thread, that “By fitting a non-genuine tow bar, any failure that can be directly attributed to the use or instalment of the accessory will not be covered by your Toyota warranty.”
Thanks in advance.
Hi Ian,
Thanks for your question.
We would always recommend sourcing through a Toyota Centre, however warranty claims are assessed on a case by case basis.
If something linked to your modification causes failures then it may not be covered.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Many thanks for your prompt reply. I understand Toyota’s position, it is not unreasonable. Can you tell me when the prices of tow bars will be available? I ordered a factory fit tow bar because I wanted guaranteed compatibility and no potential issues however unless there is a known cost I can’t discuss with the dealership and accept my new car. It’s very frustrating but I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place at the moment.
If I have a non-OEM towbar fitted of my own accord this option does comes with a slight risk should there be a future need under warranty – (I quote) “Toyota GB cannot guarantee the quality and fitment of non-approved items and the possible impact when fitted to our vehicles”.
Alternatively I commit to having a towbar fitted in 2023 at an unknown price. It has been pointed out to me that towbars fitted at a dealership presently are approx. £1K normally. In addition I note under the Relax Warranty terms that the towbar would not be covered by Toyota as it says “Factory fitted accessories and Hub installed are covered if they are uploaded on Toyota’s internal system within three months after vehicle registration”.
Hi Ian,
Our Customer Relations Team would be best placed to advise you with this query.
You can contact them here – fal.cn/3rMYt.
Many thanks.
Many thanks for your reply. Could you provide the part nos. for detachable towbars suitable for the Corolla Touring Sport Excel (with foot operated tailgate), including the wiring harness, so that I can ‘keep an eye out’ and try to source asap? Also do you have the price that they were before you stopped selling them?
Thank you very much,
Ian
Hi Ian,
The Part Numbers are listed below:
-PW96002007 – Detachable Towing Hitch – Vertical
-PW5D002570 – 13 Pin Electrics – 2 Litre
-PW5D002568 – 13 Pin Electrics – 1.8 Litre
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Good morning Toyota,
I notice in reply to Andy Hedley-Smith’s question (2 April 2023 on this discussion):
“I am looking to purchase a 2022 Corolla GR Touring Sports WK22UEG. Can you confirm that I can fit a tow bar as I want to put a cycle carrier on it”
you said:
“A fixed towing hitch can be fitted to this vehicle. The part number for this is PW96002005.”
does this mean the tow bars are now available again? If so are PW96002007 (Detachable Towing Hitch – Vertical) and PW5D002570 –(13 Pin Electrics – 2 Litre)?
I ask because I know that there was an issue with supply last year.
Kind regards,
Ian
Hi Ian, thanks for your question.
We can confirm that towing hitches are now back in supply.
We would recommend contacting your Toyota Centre regarding fitment to your vehicle.
Thanks.
I’ve had the Detachable Towing Hitch – Vertical, part no. PW96002007 fitted now but accidentally dropped the owners manual in some grease so it’s no longer legible. The front page of the manual quotes:
owners manual reference no. AOM 001 608-0/ document number 0100.0700.502
– is there any way I can download it from somewhere?
Thank you :-),
Ian
Hi Ian, thanks for your question.
To find your owners manual please enter your VIN number into the search bar on the following page of our website: https://www.toyota.co.uk/customer/manuals
Thanks.
Hi Ian. I am in the process of buying a Toyota RAV4 Plug-in CVT Dynamic. I’ve just spoken to my Toyota dealer and they advised that Toyota is not able to fit a tow-bar for this model. Do you know the reason for this, and is there perhaps another solution by Toyota for bike carriers on this model?
Thanks
Hi Stefan,
Thanks for your question.
Currently, there is a worldwide shortage of tow bar components so we are not selling them at the moment.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Good morning.
I am thinking of buying an Auris hybrid (64 registration).
Can it be fitted with a tow bar for a small load of less than 450kg?
Thank you
Peter
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your question.
Please provide your Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
Hi,
I’m looking to buy an Auris hybrid tourer but need to be able to carry 4 bikes without putting on the roof (as need a roof box too). Can a tow mounted rack be used for this please? Possible reg plate – WX15 WEK or CN64 0JY
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for your question.
Our Accessories Team have advised on the vehicle with the registration plate: WX15WEK.
There is a bicycle holder available for this vehicle, however only 2 bikes may be carried.
The part number for this is PZ41B-00502-00.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Hi,
I am looking at buying a 1.8 Toyota Auris Hybrid registration NX67ZFP. Please can I check if a towbar for carrying a bike rack can be fitted to this vehicle and if so how many bikes can I carry on it. Thanks.
Hi Judith,
Thanks for your question.
A tow bar can be fitted to this vehicle, which can carry a maximum of 2 vehicles.
However, currently there is a global towing shortage meaning that no tow bars are being sold.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Please uprate the Corolla 2l hybrid sports touring or hatch for 1300kg braked. There are still some of us out here that prefer good handling and efficient use of space and economy against an expensive SUV. Thanks
We have brought a 2.4l japanese import alphard to the UK what is the legality of towing as most places seem to contradict each other
Hi Lucas,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately, we do not have any information on imported vehicles so we are unable to answer this question.
We apologise that we cannot assist you further.
Thanks.