Curt Tow Hitch Install Finished!!! if only 30 minutes

Short of using a scale that can measure 65lb of pull attached to a foot long lever bar, not really but good work installing. If only there was some options down this end of the world.

 

Check the hitch and make sure the bolts are tight when you use it. Bolts can work loose when on the road.

 

How much tongue weight can the hitch handle....?

 

I also installed my hitch today. I used my torque wrench to tightened the bolt to spec. I used my leg to hold the hitch in place while tightening the 19mm bolts; I found it a lot easier to start with driver side.

Looks great.

 

One of the auto parts stores (don't remember which one) will loan you a torque wrench for a refundable deposit. Call around.

 

According to eTrailer.com, max tongue weight is 200lb.

 

Torque wrench can be purchased for $20-30. I bought my wrench from amazon for $40 shipped.

 

Shrktank,

My story is very similar to yours, but i just hung the hitch from some plastic on the driver side. I spent so much time on the passenger side trying to figure out how move the freaking exhaust pipe! Then i noticed the part contected to bolt was rubber so i just pushed it out of the way. It was not a hard thing to do but i did it in my garage laying on my back and it was cumbersom and i did take some nuts to the face ;-)
i'm not mechanically inclined but this was pretty easy and my wife was impressed seeing half of me sticking out from under the car, grease-monkey style. I dont have a torque wrench but i plan to visit a local garage and ask for some help in getting the correct torqidge (?).

 

Bye G37, from your name I'm assuming you had a G37 before your prius. I did too, 08 G37S. Boy was it a big change but after 10 months, a very welcome one with where gas prices are going and with the extra room for passengers and cargo.

As for my hitch, I used a Curt as well however I had acess to a lift, an an extra set of hands and power tools. From getting the car on the lift to having it back on the ground was less than 10 minutes. I had a Hollywood 3 bike rack that I had on my G37 that I use, it barely clears the lift gate and is not a great rack but it was a floor model and I got it for like $45. Eventually I want to get a nice Saris like yours.

 

I wish someone would make hitch for the Prius that was made out of some kind of composite material that did not show wear or rust.

This is the first car I have not had a hitch on in many years. With all the previous vehicles I had to paint it every 2 years because of rust. I had it power coated a few times and it did not help. Every Prius I see in Cleveland with a hitch has the issue. They turn from a nice black to rust.

 

AJVDUD,

We had 2010 G37 Journey and it was freaking awesome ( 326hp) - actually, i will be honest and say it was more car than i could handle. It SCARED me with its power but to make a long story short, my wife and i are in our early 40's and we pretty much gave up on having a 2nd child (our first is 10) so i went ahead and got my dream car. To our surprise, a few months later we were preggo! I decided to say "BYE G37" and get a more family friendly veh. The G37 was VERY expensive. BIG NOTE, expensive gas and Insurance put me over $700 month for that car. Plus, i was always scared of getting dinged or scratched in parking lots. It was more stressful than fun to have that car. I'm happy with my Prius and now that i can haul my bikes i'm even happier. But you are right, there is a big difference in power, performance, and price- at least i know i wont get any speeding tickets BTW - my bike rack is a Thule -helium

 

The G was an awesome car but I do not regret my decision at all. My lease was up and I wanted to get another one after the second year but a friend of mine got a Prius and talked me into it and I bought my '11 IV w/ moonroof. I thought it was a Saris by its color. How do you like that rack? Does it clear the liftgate? I'm asuming by the name that it is also very light.

 

Yes, its very light and it does clear the liftgate, which is nice. This is a great model from Thule - being able to use it in class I & II hitches gives it great value. It lockes into the hitch very easily and even has a built in cable lock to secure bikes on the hitch. Its alot lighter than my old yakima and quieter.

 

You'll laugh but I torqued the four bolts on mine with a bathroom scale and a 2 foot cheater bar, torqued to 32.5 lbs being that the arm was 2 feet. Sometimes you just have to be creative, no matter how silly you look while doing it .

 

I want to install a hitch on my Gen III. I looked under the car and can see the plastic cover(s)? on the drivers side where the hitch would mount. Do you have to permanently remove any of these for install? Can you post a picture of the drivers side attachment?
Thanks

 

TMI!!! ound:

 

No. you do not remove any plastic covers. I have installed 3 of these. One curt and 2 draw tight. Use a pry bar to pop the rubber exhaust mount at the rear off (a tiny bit of dishsoap on the rubber helps immensley). Removing the bolts works best with a long extension and short socket. I lay the hitch on my chest while starting the bolts on the passenger side. once those bolts are started you can safely prop the hit up with a jack or blocks. I just use my chest. I can do the whole install in 20 min. Hope this helps

 

The original tow loop will have to be removed but seeing as you'd have a hitch installed that won't be a problem. The holes dont look like the hitch will fit but it does you may just have to tilt it a little.