I need a bike rack for our 2013 Prius v Two. I have a U-Haul hitch installed on our Honda Fit and use a 2-bike rack. I remember seeing somewhere that hitches are NOT recommended for the Prius v (perhaps by Toyota themselves). Is this true? Is it that towing isn't recommended or hitches in general? I'd like to install a U-Haul hitch and use a 2-bike rack. I really hate roof racks (fuel economy hit, inconvenience, appearance). My first choice would be a hitch, provided it isn't bad for the car. My second would be a strap rack to put on the back. Advice? Opinions?
Yes you can buy bolt on hitches for the v. Not having to do a wiring harness would be a plus. Toyota says no towing in the owner's manual.
Thanks. Would a U-Haul one be alright or should I go with something like the EcoHitch? Not sure what the difference is. So, to clarify, Toyota says no towing but NOT no hitches? In other words, a hitch with a bike rack is fine for the car?
Toyota says nothing about a hitch but says no towing and has a maximum load spec somewhere around 915 pounds I believe. Remember load includes passengers. Here's a couple of videos. There are two sizes of hitches, 1 1/4" and the more common 2". If I were doing it, I might evaluate price, bike rack fit to ensure it will clear the bumper, perhaps the racks ability to allow the hatch to open (some swing out of the way), true bolt on (don't cut or weld anything), ground clearance (the v is already low) and maybe degree of rear end visibility. and and wiring
I've got the 2" Ecohitch on our Prius v. I use it with a Thule 2 platform hitch and they make a wonderful combination for two bikes. Rock solid and convenient Occasionally, I will need to carry 3 or 4 bikes and I'm not sure yet what I will do. My concern is that hitch is heavy (50 lbs) and the extension to turn it into a 4 bike rack is another 50 lbs and with the bikes and the leverage, I am concerned about it overloading the mounting points on the frame. I'm leaning toward adding a two bike roof rack for those situations.
I've mounted the rack and I'll probably mount the lower feet on the bumper and place pads under the straps. They run over the spoiler so I'm expecting some rub.
I'm guessing its the straps rubbing on the spoiler that's the issue. Saris also lists a 2 bike limit for the Prius, whereas other cars, like a VW sportwagen have no such limit.
No, top arms brace against the rear window and top tension stays latch onto the door structure (flush with spoiler).
Is that a universal rack? Just checked the Website and it says they don't have anything that fits a PriusV,
In our experience, the Saris Bones 3 fits anything with a rear deck/bumper from Dodge Grand Caravan to Honda CR-V to Toyota Prius v and carries 3 bikes.
I used a Yakima hitch-mount rack when I had my RAV4. I had a hitch installed on the Prius v and have hauled bikes around with no issues.
I just put a Curt class 1 hitch on my Prius v today, then ordered a Saris Freedom 2 rack. It's nice and light (only 22 lbs) My hybrid bike is a bit too porky to lift onto my roof bike rack. Either that, or I'm getting too old to want to do it. I've used a roof rack for years.
Ive been using the Kuat NV for years I have two, here is my 2 bike version I have a 4 also I modified a 1.25 inch hitch and reinforced it to handle the weight I also use a UWS aluminum rear carrier for extra carrying capacity when I need it
