Trunk-mount bike rack vs. hitch

I just got my Prius, but if you search the forum, you'll find a number of people who have installed a hitch and or bike racks on their Gen 4.

I bicycle a fair bit, and plan on installing a hitch soon. I've hauled bikes all kinds of ways, and in my opinion, a hitch mounted bike rack is the way to go. The tray style racks work best in my experience, i.e. where your bike sits on a tray rather than hangs from a post.

 

I wouldn't want the load of a heavy bike and rack combo on my brand new car's hatch, personally. Seems like a sub-optimal solution compared to a hitch mount rack. However, it can be done.

Fitment of a Yakima FullBack 2 Bike Rack on a 2016 Toyota Prius | etrailer.com

 

It's not really that heavy. A child might struggle to pick it up, as a 5'6" 150-lb adult I lifted the whole hitch with one hand. I'd say, 20, maybe 30 lbs?

I don't carry bikes but I would have to echo that I wouldn't want anything hanging off the liftgate.

 

Any effect on mileage would be hard to quantify, at the large MPG numbers we deal with. I run a 62" CB antenna on the roof, and when towing a 2-300lb trailer, I still managed 60+ mpg even with the drag of both on the trip home. In cold weather.

The right foot has more effect on MPG than small amounts of extra weight.

 

I'm considering a hitch-mount and tray style bike rack. I've had hitch-mounts on my 2 previous Prius'. My concern is; will the bike/rack interfere with the backup sensors?

 

Just got 2018 Prius Two. A couple of conversations have alluded to trying not to hang trunk-mounted bike rack from the top of the hatch, but no one has explicitly said that this is bad or why. Toyota FAQ's have nothing on this. Dealer is mystified. I hung trunk mounted rack from top of hatchback-wagon door on my Prius V wagon. But difference there was that the edge of the frame where I hung the strap hooks was metal, but on this Prius 2018 Two, the top of the hatch is glass.

Can this question be answered?

Thanks,
--JS

 

I have a hitch and a tray-type bike rack (two bikes). The hitch is an easy install with minimal tools (screw driver, metric sockets, razor knife to make a very small cut in a piece of the plastic under the car. You can hardly see it after it is installed (the second pictures shows the rack plugged into the nearly invisible receiver).

 

What did you use for a license plate bracket on the hitch rack?

My state's LEOs haven't yet cared, but I was pulled over several years ago in another state for obscured license plate, receiving a written warning. I'll likely never be hauling bikes there again, and several hints suggested the real reason for the pullover was not the obscured plate, but rather a 'marijuana state plate'.

Regardless, I should find a solution to remount the rear license plate to an unobscured location on the bike rack.

 

I made that bracket with a 3d printer specifically for the rack. Originally, prior to putting in the wiring for trailer lights, I extended the license plate light wiring with a hidden connector so it would be lighted. I could not find an appropriate bracket from the aftermarket.

Since I live in the Great State of California, the Soviet Union of the West, I do all I can to avoid any contact with LEOs. Regular citizens are treated as criminals, while criminals don't even have to post money bail.

 

Soviet Union of the West? Yeah it's not Cali that's cozying up to the Russians these days, look eastward and south for that.

 

Great thread. I hadn't thought yet of a bike rack. I have one of those cheap ones that hooks over the edges of the hatch and underneath, but my Prius has the corny "spoiler" which is kind of flimsy.

I was thinking of putting a small hitch on my Prius for a small motorcycle trailer. Your thread reminded me that it could be used for a high quality bike rack.

It makes me want to remind you that the hitch might have other uses in the future. A small cargo trailer can be VERY handy from time to time, for example.

 

Lots of us Gen 4 owners tow light trailers. The Harbor Freight variety is popular due to the availability, inexpensive cost and weight. At one time I was considering building a teardrop for the Prius ("Foamy" construction"), but abandoned that because the Prius serves better as a climate controlled sleeping berth. The crap can go in the trailer.

 

Is this a 1 1/4" size hitch (Class 2) or a full 2" hitch (Class 3)?

 

1-1/4". Which I think is a Class 1?

 

If you have the time you might want to check out the mtbr cars and bike racks forum.
I'm considering the 1 up quick rack but I'm waiting to see what the new Saris MTR rack looks like when it comes out this spring. It's a shame that the new and improved quikrack (just do a search) will never be produced.

 

William Redoubt, a few questions....
I’m seriously thinking about a receiver hitch and really like how discreet yours seems to be. Can you tell me what brand/type it is? Where did you get it installed? Do you have to disable any of the car’s safety systems when pulling a light trailer? Does the receiver impact MPGs?
I’m looking to pull about a 1000 lb trailer a few times a year - just a few miles each way.
Thanks for your help!

 

There are 2 classes at 1-1/4", Class 1 and Class 2. The only ones I was able to find were Class 1. (I wanted a Class 2, so I looked fairly hard)

I would think the Prius would need severely upgraded rear springs, if not other bits, to accommodate a Class 3.

That being said, this hasn't stopped me from towing a Buick. /banjos