ok I know there are a ton of threads on here already about this. I would like to get a 1 1/4" reciever so I can use my truck even less What I am curious about is what they look like installed, dont' want one that really sticks out beyond the rear bumper. I am leaning towards the one that uhaul sells since it is easy to order, esp without shipping charges. If anyone has any pics can they post them please? THanks!
here is a curt 129.95 plus 10.00 bucks shipping e-trailer.com [attachmentid=8558] [attachmentid=8559] [attachmentid=8560] [attachmentid=8564] [attachmentid=8562] [attachmentid=8563] [attachmentid=8565]
I'm concerned with the increased tow load the car will be experiencing.... Have you noticed any degrade in performance yet?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JamesL @ Jun 11 2007, 07:45 PM) [snapback]459879[/snapback]</div> No problems what so ever in performance and drop in mpg was approx 2-3 mpg lower. The trailer is 4x8 very light weight and we haul the bikes and a cooler on the trailer. Or if we need to pick up a few bags of potting soil or mulch we use the trailer. we don't haul anything very heavy though. I really can't tell its behind us when towing
I have the one from Coastal...looks pretty much the same. I only use it for a bike rack though...so not much effect when driving. Installation was very easy...took about an hour from the time I picked up the directions until the time I was back inside having a cold one.
Thanks for all of the replies from everyone. I have decided to buy the hitch made by Curt, getting it from etrailer.com, was the cheapest at $128. Pretty soon I won't be needing my SUV for anything but towing my skiis and boat. Thanks again!
This is a Curt 1 1/4" hitch on a 2006 Prius. More photos at: http://www.marcuse.org/harold/pages/PriusBikeRack077.htm[attachmentid=10381]
U-Haul installed the Type II, model 24743 hitch on our '05 two weeks ago. Part was $120, labor $50. Added $5 to get lifetime (life of current owner) warrantee. Picked up the car hitched less than 2 hrs after dropping it off. It is the same as the Curt model shown in this thread above. Seems completely out of the way and up high. We're planning to get a bike rack that attaches to the receiver. Probably settle on either Thule or Yakima model that attaches to top bar of bike. I'm concerned about low ground clearance issue on the wheel tray type. If anyone has opinion either way, let me know. :--)
I have carried bikes using the Uhaul hitch with a Saris T-Rax pro. I never hit the bikes on the ground, but did scrape the tightening knob on the bottom a couple of times at couple driveways and a ferry loading ramp. No real damage other than a slightly scuffed knob. This rack allowed us to open the Prius hatch without moving anything --- very nice. The same rack on my Subaru outback keeps the (wagon) hatch from opening. My only compliant is how high the Saris held the bikes. They were well above the spoiler and very clearly in the slip stream: 38mpg vs 52mpg!!! If I were to replace the rack, I'd get something that holds the bikes by the wheels and keeps them lower. Ideally the rack would be shaped to keep it from hitting the ground and still allow the hatch to open.