Hitch on a PiP, Curt C11276

Can anyone tell if they get a hit in MPG with the hitch installed? And how bad is it with the bike(s) mounted?

radio

 

I also installed (had installed) the Curt 1 1/4" receiver. I was able to get the 4 factory bolts out but there wasn't enough room for trailer hitch and myself. I took it to my local service station and they installed the hitch in a few minutes and charged me $ 15.00. I use the hitch for a Thule bicycle rack. Works great.

 

Have any of you guys tried towing a trailer with your hitch?

Also, how did you wire the harness for the trailer lights?

I see that most of you guys use it for bike racks. I sold my truck in favor of the PIP and I just ordered a Curt C11276. Im planning on getting a small utility trailer for the times I need to pick up drywall, wood etc.

 

I like the FSM decal

 

I installed the Curt trailer hitch as well as the wiring (search for camry - prius trailer wiring).
Tonight Im going to check out a 4'x8' trailer I found on craigslist.

 

Jimbo, most are installing the trailer hitch to use a bike rack or other hitch mounted accessories (extra storage shelf, external wheelchair carrier etc) Towing a trailer is not recomended for the Prius, it doesn't have much capacity for the tongue weight or extra braking capability, never mind the affect on the MPG.

 

I just picked up my new 4x8 trailer. Its pretty light, probably around 300lbs. I drove for about 55 miles to pick it up and got 50mpg.

 

Mitch - You're selling the Prius short. There are a few threads on here with some contributions from folks that have done a considerable amount of towing with their Prius. When approached with diligence, the car does a great job, doesn't experience a significant hit in mileage (with reasonable loads under 1,000 lbs including the trailer - above that is a different story).

 

I was actually going to post an update for fellow PIP owners.

Since my last post I have used my trailer hitch and trailer quite often. I have used it to move fridges, fridges and stoves together, and the last things I moved were two zero turn mowers. I couldnt move them both at the same time because there wasnt space on the trailer. One was a TroyBuilt 50" zero turn that weighed 650 lbs and the other was a JD 42" that is around 450 lbs.

The prius moved all of the items easily. I was a little nervous about the Troy Built but it did it and I got around 48 mpg for the 1 hour trip.

 

Do you need to cut/trim?

If so, Is there a pic of the curt installed showing the cut outs necessary to fit the plastic panel around the hitch?

 

No you do not need to cut or trim anything. Its very easy to install.


Another update. I think I found the towing limits of the PIP.

I picked up hardwood flooring for one of my apartments. I needed about 700 sq ft but I couldnt fit it all on the trailer so I had to make two trips. Each trip had about 1200 lbs on a trailer.

The first trip went alright. It was an hour drive and I left it in Power mode the whole way. I forgot to check the mileage when I got home but Im pretty sure it was around 50mpg.

On the second trip I had one more box than the first. (each box weighed 51lbs) After driving for about 10 minutes the car was acting a little goofy. It was stuttering and the power bar would go all the way to the right then all the way to the left. It did that a couple times. I could also hear a strange noise coming from the battery area. It sounded like a lot of clicking like relays turning on and off.

Then I heard a weird noise so I pulled over. Turned out that my trailer blew its bearings on one side. I was stuck! I had to call my father in law who came with his truck. We loaded the flooring into our vehicles and put the trailer on top of the bed of his truck. Thank god he was free. I was really screwed. An hour away and sitting on the side of the highway. I wont be towing 1251lbs again anytime soon.

 

I'd be worried that the issue you experienced was something else, not necessarily related to towing. I've recently had 160 small retaining blocks that weigh just over 11lbs in my trailer and our PiP did just fine. I kept it to 50 going up the more strenuous hill climbs and 55-60 on flatter terrain.

 

I'd be interested in using one of those cargo racks that are hitch mounted with this. What would be the maximum weight, cargo carrier and cargo combined, you think this hitch could comfortably hold?

 

Works great

 

Thinking of doing the same here, what bike rack and hitch did you use? Assuming you went with the Curt C11276, right? About how much $, if you don't mind?

 

Very nice!

Do you get much bouncing from the bikes since they are set that far back?

 

Consider (reality check, not trying to burst anyone's bubble, just sayin'....)


You're bolting onto the ends of the channels you see in the screenshot...cleverly bent/formed sheet metal.
Toyota bolts only a rear bumper reinforcement onto those channels and spot welds a sheet metal rear cargo floor
and rear body panel to the two of them. The structure and the skin are engineered to crush in an impact absorbing
manner. Repairability post impact is a low priority consideration. The plan is also about weight and cost considerations, automated welding, and ease of assembly. A human hair is .003 to .004 thick and the surface panels of the vehicle (hood, fenders, door and quarter panels) are no more than 7 times the thickness of a human
hair (.030" max.). Keep it simple. Do not do anything/add anything to this mass produced product that Toyota did
not do/add, and you will mazimize the benefits Toyota engineered into the product you purchased from Toyota.

 

Etrailer.com Curt 11276 with Thule T2 and Reese adapter. No noticeable bounce with pinch bolt tightened. 400 miles, 2 bikes...no issues. Happy.

 

Is anyone using the strap that Curt requires?:

"Note: All non-trailer loads - bike racks, cargo carriers and so forth - should be supported with stabilizing straps. Failure to properly support these loads will void your hitch warranty from Curt."-from etrailer.com
They recommend this one:

Curt Trailer Hitch Support Strap - Bike Rack Strap with Cambuckle Curt Accessories and Parts 18050

I have one on order.