Bought a 2021 Pacifica PHEV today

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

What could be a reasonable motivation for the hybrid not featuring a towing capability?

The "transmission" is totally different. That is the only weak link I could think of. Still a small trailer would hardly put a different load on it that say 7 fatbodies in it. I suppose Chrysler has to factor in the possibility of 7 fatbodies AND a trailer. Or people towing something with 80+ sqft of frontal area. The regular one says something like a 40 sqft frontal area limit already, basically probably a similar size to the van itself.

I may disregard this no towing thing, but not right off the bat, and probably not in the first 3 year of bumper to bumper warranty.

The new Jeep Wrangler PHEV has a 3500# tow rating but it still has the normal 9 speed auto and the electric motors are separate front and rear, not inside the CVT like the Pacifica.

[redpoint5]

You don't want to run US electrons in Canadian wires.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

You don't want to run US electrons in Canadian wires.

I know right. I think it just has the required French trapper language on the faceplate. Come on guys, give the beavers a break.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I know right. I think it just has the required French trapper language on the faceplate. Come on guys, give the beavers a break.

The Canadian version has an extra sticker in French rest is otherwise identical

https://mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=32092

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

The "transmission" is totally different. That is the only weak link I could think of.

Those so-called e-CVTs don't really seem to justify any restriction to towing.

The new Jeep Wrangler PHEV has a 3500# tow rating but it still has the normal 9 speed auto and the electric motors are separate front and rear, not inside the CVT like the Pacifica.

AFAIK the Wrangler PHEV has both the belted alternator-motor and another motor between the ICE and transmission, replacing the torque converter just like the ZF modular motors fitted to some Volvo hybrid buses which underwent tests in my hometown around 6 years ago.

[redpoint5]

I've heard lack of tow rating isn't because engineering said no towing, but that they didn't test it.

I see a lot of people with PHEVs and EVs towing with vehicles that have no tow rating and haven't heard of an issue yet.

I've never owned a vehicle with a warranty though...

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I see a lot of people with PHEVs and EVs towing with vehicles that have no tow rating and haven't heard of an issue yet.

The first Corolla Cross that I spotted on the wild was a hybrid, so it's needless to say the HSD is conceptually similar to the e-CVT fitted to the Pacifica PHEV, and it didn't even have plates when it was fitted with a receiver hitch.

[Hersbird]

I watched a teardown of the transmission in the Pacifica and it's nothing at all like a CVT. It's all gears, no bands, clutches, or belts, that I can determine and looks very stout. The final gear looks stouter than that in a ford 9" rear end.

So what I think might be the limitation is how much cooling capacity it has, but then something all geared without slipping parts like a Ford 9" rear end doesn't need much cooling.

We'll see how reliable the whole van is for 2-3 years and then decide. If its problem free I'll add a hitch and keep it, if it's had to go in a bunch then I'll probably sell it and try something else.

[Hersbird]

https://youtu.be/rDPwQefY2KY

The transmission teardown

[redpoint5]

CVT is somewhat a misnomer on most hybrid electric cars. They call them eCVT. Technically it is a continuously variable transmission, only it accomplishes the ratio change by running an electric motor/generator at varying speeds in a planetary gearset linked to the ICE.

There's no reason why an eCVT should wear out prematurely even at high load, because the vehicle should be programmed to not operate outside of limits that would cause premature wear. This is why I was not worried to pull 1,800 lbs with my Prius (at slower speeds and plenty of stopping space).