hauling a 5 inch Dredge with a Prius

[jewelerdave]

Ok, so today had its ups and downs. i have not dredged with a 5 inch in 8 years.

I got everything set up, the dredge on the trailer, the trailer hooked up too the car. All was great,
Drove 100 miles to get to where i was going to get some gold, and low and behold my pump seal burns out...crap. Ok, no gold today.

I do have to say, the set up for hauling does look pretty funny. But despite the extra weight, and drag on the car, I still managed to average 41 miles a gallon and go up hill no problems with the load. that 295lbs of Torque on that little electric motor in the car lets ya pull like it was not even there! that included 80mph on the freeway and about 40mph going up the windy mountain roads! I know a lot of people think Prii are slow cars as most drive them slow to get 55mpg but they can take a beating!

Hopefully I can start posting pics of gold when i get my new pump seal in.

 

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[Needle]

Economical and efficient, way to go, lots of luck!

 

[golddigger14s]

Keep an eye on your rear struts. Even though the pop-up camper I was pulling was under the rated capacity for my Subaru, that camper wasted my struts pretty quickly.

 

[eathan]

What is the tow capacity on the Prius? I have a hitch on my WRX and manage our utility and tent trailers all the time, but we've been looking at more fuel efficient options. Our tent trailer comes in just shy of 1000 lbs and my 3" Proline dredge strapped to the canoe carriers on top would push it over the car's tow limit. 1500 lbs towing capacity and >30 mpg would be fantastic!

 

[Urban Prospector]

Only thing missing is solar panels to run the dredge.

 

[russau]

this maybe the way most of us will have to start hauling our equipment if we dont gang up people to ride along to help fuel prices.

 

[flyspekau]

Now the environmental whackos can only 1/2 hate you

 

[rmptr]

That spare seal should be on your checklist, Dave...

But I guess you're learning that!

We'll be looking for your pics when you complete the shakedown cruises.

HH
rmptr