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Looking for a 2" trailer hitch

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by sedluk, Feb 15, 2012.

  1. sedluk

    sedluk New Member

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    I would like to buy a Prius V. I currently drive a Honda Element and have a 2 inch trailer hitch that I use with my 2 bike rack. My rack has an extension for 4 bikes but in that case I use a much bigger vehicle but that rarely happens.

    I want something very secure, with my bike and my friends bike we have more money into the bikes on the back than a fully loaded Prius.

    I am not concerned about price, I am happy to pay for welding ect.. I would not flinch at paying a $1,000 bucks for a 2 inch hitch properly installed, but I am not really interested in a car that does not have a 2 inch hitch.

    Any ideas on a 2 inch hitch?
     
    #1 sedluk, Feb 15, 2012
  2. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    #2 The Critic, Feb 19, 2012
  3. ngc4565

    ngc4565 Member

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    The size of a trailer hitch is directly related to towing capacity. The two-inch hitch you desire would greatly exceed the towing capacity of the Prius, and it may even be illegal to install in some states.
     
    #3 ngc4565, Feb 19, 2012
  4. Quentin

    Quentin Member

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    The Prius has 0 towing capacity so any hitch would be "illegal" if that were true.

    My bike hitch rack is for a 2" receiver as well. I'm looking for a 2" receiver for the v so that I don't have to use an adapter because the adapter adds extra length to an already long hitch rack. Adding 6" between the rack and the hitch actually increases the moment load on the hitch receiver because it has a longer lever arm.

    This would work, but I'd much rather have a 2" receiver.

    http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B00077ZDWQ?tag=priuschatcom-20
     
    #4 Quentin, Feb 19, 2012
  5. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    The zero towing capacity is a recommendation, not a legal requirement anywhere I know of in the US. I think it is a legal requirement in Australia.

    There are plenty of people towing trailers up to 1000 pounds. A few have even gone to what must have been 2500 pounds.

    My take on Toyota's recommendation is that the car can exhaust the HV battery on a long uphill pull. Some people have actually done that with Gen2 Prius, even without a trailer. The newer Prius have larger engines, so it should be less of a problem. In any case, Toyota doesn't want to be blamed for that sort of thing, so the zero tow rating is an easy cop-out.

    I think the Corolla has a 1500 pound tow rating. The Prius should be able to handle the same, except for that long uphill pull. If it happens, you just back off and join the trucks in the slow lane until the battery gets enough charge for normal operation.
     
    #5 RobH, Feb 19, 2012
  6. sedluk

    sedluk New Member

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    I have read through previous threads about trailer hitches for bike racks and so often they go off on some tangent about towing. I thought that I would avoid that by clearing stating what my intentions were.

    So for those who are not into cycling, we have these really expensive road bikes. $10k-$20k each. They weigh about 11-12 lbs each. The rack weighs about 45 lbs.

    We do not put the bikes on top of the cars, we do not take the wheels off and put two bikes in a hatchback so they bang into each other. We do not use one of the racks where you strap it on to the rear of your car and hope it makes it to your destination.

    We sometimes go on road trips to big organized rides. It would not be much fun to drive 7 hours for a 3 day trip and find that the bike was damaged and you get to drive home with a broken bike.

    The best bike racks always have a 2 inch receiver. It is simply the most secure way to attach a rack to a car.
     
    #6 sedluk, Feb 21, 2012
  7. Quentin

    Quentin Member

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    Other than bike cost (mine are in the $3k range), I agree with everything you've posted. My 29er fell off a poor fitting rack once and we were luckily only going 20mph or so. I'd hate to lose one at 70mph.

    Plus, my 4Runner tows 5000lbs. Why in hell would I tow anything with the v when I have a proper tow vehicle.
     
    #7 Quentin, Feb 23, 2012
  8. dmanthree

    dmanthree Junior Member

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    If you want a hitch rack compatible with a 1.25" receiver take a look at the Thule Apex 4 bike model. Excellent rack. You don't need a 2" receiver.
     
    #8 dmanthree, Mar 9, 2012
  9. hopstiguy

    hopstiguy Junior Member

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    Sedluk, did you find a trailer hitch? I have a good bike rack with a 2" end, and I'm not really crazy about buying a new one if/when I buy a Prius V.

    Please let PriusChat know what you found.
     
    #9 hopstiguy, Mar 10, 2012
  10. sedluk

    sedluk New Member

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    I have not found one yet. I may have to buy a gas guzzler.
     
    #10 sedluk, Mar 11, 2012
  11. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    Why not fabricate or have one fabricated and adapter that would allow your 2" bike rack to work with a 1 1/4" hitch that is available for the Prius?

    Or better yet just buy one. http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Hidden-Hitch/80303.html

    I searched "1 1/4" to 2" hitch adapter" and got many results.



    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     
    #11 dustoff003, Mar 11, 2012
  12. sedluk

    sedluk New Member

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    First I will address the Thule Apex 4 bike rack. I have owned similar bike racks. I also have friends that have had similar bike racks. If you want to save a few dollars on a bike rack and really don't care about your bike then they might work for you. In every case I have ended up with a scratched bike.

    And then I remember driving down the highway after a nice day riding and someone driving next to us was honking their horn and yelling out the window. They said they we had a bike hanging on the back of the rack. My bike was the last bike on the rack and it was hanging by a cord and was flapping in the wind. I was happy that the bike did not fly off the rack entirely, but the frame was damaged and the bike next to it was damaged. It cost me $4,000 to replace the frame. It was not my car and I was hesitant but it was the only option at the time. After this I told the owner that I would never put my bike on his rack again.

    I would recommend a rack that comes straight out the rear and has cradles that hold the wheels. That way your bike will not bang into the other bikes. If you have a rack like the Apex 4 the bikes will swing into each other. I have seen way too many bike scratched. Maybe not a big problem if you have a beater bike and secure it.

    I suspect that they sell plenty of these racks and if you like yours then good luck, but they are definitely not for me.

    1 1/4" to 2" adapters would not work for me. These racks extend a good ways out the back and if you hit a bump I think we can guess what could happen. I don't think it would be a good risk to take. And just think about what would happen to the passengers in the car behind you if the rack came off. I have no interest in taking out a family or knowing that I was responsible for someone growing up without a mother or father because it was easier to take a shortcut on a bike rack.

    There is a proper way to travel with your bike. I would rather buy a different car than endanger people's lives.
     
    #12 sedluk, Mar 14, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  13. Osteoblast

    Osteoblast Junior Member

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    Sedluk, thanks so much for that info. I have a beloved Y-foil that I am looking to transport and am in your same situation. Please PM if you find a good solution....
     
    #13 Osteoblast, Mar 17, 2012
  14. jdcowboy

    jdcowboy New Member

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    I just bought my new 2012 Gen III Prius and am also looking for a bike rack. On previous cars, I had a hybrid (no pun intended) rack that I think I'll have installed on this car. It actually had two 2" receviers. One pointed straight down behind the bumper. Then a short L shapted receiver could be put into the downward facing receiver with the the other end of the L shape also being a receiver for the bike. The L shaped piece came off and no one new I had the receiver unless I put the L shaped piece on. Kept the L shaped piece from several cars and plan on using it again.
     
    #14 jdcowboy, Mar 17, 2012
  15. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    Okay the adapter won't work for you.

    So how's about getting a 1 1/4" hitch and having a welder cut it up and insert a 2" square tube in place of the 1 1/4" one? Then you will have the 2" hitch you desire.


    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     
    #15 dustoff003, Mar 18, 2012
  16. Quentin

    Quentin Member

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    That is pretty much my plan. My uncle is a great welder, so he'll take care of it for me.
     
    #16 Quentin, Mar 18, 2012
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