Trailer hitch?

In some regions you can't even get one for that.

 

One of these regions is Europe. I have it officially from two sources within Toyota.

Jan

 

The dealer seemed to think the Prius liftback hitch would fit, but I called Draw-Tite and they said it might not. Yeah, it's a problem. I don't want to buy their $320 cross bars due to the wind noise. I either do that or wait for someone to release a version for Prime. My local installer was going to call Curt and ask them. I'll see what they say.
Oh, I emailed Toyota and their response was "We don't recommend you modify the vehicle". So why do they publish towing capacity for the Prius?

 

The rear of the Prime is at least 3 inches longer than the GenIV hatchback. I would think that alone might mean the hitch for the GenIV wouldn't be a fit on the Prime.

 

The gen4 Prius has a tow rating in markets outside of North America only. I started a thread about tow ratings here awhile back. The tl;dr is that regions have different tongue weight regulations for trailers. If limited to the tongue weight in the UK, a Prius tow rating there would be cut in half for the US.

I haven't heard of the Prime having a tow rating at all, which would make sense. It is heavier than the Prius, and much of that extra weight is in the rear where the tongue weight of a trailer would be applied. FWD isn't has effective in towing as RWD, because the tongue weight is on the rear. That can shift the car's center of gravity back, decreasing the weight on the front axle, and could lead to lower traction for the drive wheels.

In the case of hitch mounted bike racks, Toyota's no is CYA in North America. In Europe, such racks have additional legal requirements to meet, such as not blocking the license plate, and having lights if those are blocked, and they have to okayed by the insurance company. If the manufacturer says no to such hitch accessories, it is very unlikely an insurance company will okay anything.

The undercarriage where the hitch mounts to is the more important factor. If unchanged, without anything in the way, then a gen4 Prius should mount to a Prime. If that test is passed, then it is a question of whether the different bumper blocks the receiver tube. Likely not since that part of the receiver hitch is the lowest point.

Tube extenders are available, so the extra 3 inches of rear length isn't an issue if those other conditions are passed. In the case of bike mounts and such, an extender might not be needed.

 

6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle. (P. 321)

Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing. -Page 318

Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. - page 321

Trailer towing
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch
or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the
use of tow hitch mounted carriers. - page 322

Do you have a page of your owners manual that DOES list a towing capacity?

 

The tow capacity I saw was for the Prius lift back. I haven't found one for the Prime yet. Thanks for all the responses. I might have to get the cross bars after all.

 

I have a trailer hitch for my Gen 4 liftback - a 1 inch hitch installed by Uhaul with no wiring was only like $200. I use it to haul bikes and it works great. I assume something will come out for the Prime soon.

 

I don't see why not. Height has never been an issue. My wife and I stacked our bikes inside once in the PHV. It worked fine.

For me, I'll also be waiting for roof mount clips. In the meantime, I could see transport of the 2 kayaks to the lake 1 mile down the road as a toss-in-back effort.

 

Make your own hitch

 

I have a 58 CM road bike and it fits in the back with the wheels on. I just have to put it in handlebars first.

 

I have a Curt now. Love it. Will buy one for the Prime as soon as it's available.

What's the email address for them? Each of us could send a request to make them aware of the upcoming demand.

 

Torklift Central | PriusChat is a user here on PriusChat. I have one of their hitches and am impressed.
If you are near Seattle, I bet they would use your car as the template for the Prime.

 

Any more news on putting a hitch on the Prime for attaching a platform bike rack?