Does anyone have an idea on what kind of bike rack would best fit on a Prius ? My 2010 Prius will have a solar panel on the roof and a moon roof, so forget about upright bike carrier. Does anyone have an experience to share on the installation of a hitch ?
I did a hitch on the 1st gen for carrying a wheel chair. Works fairly well for that purpose, and I imagine it would do equally well for carrying bikes. You'd have to custom make a hitch if you can't wait for Coastal Tech or another manufacturer to develop one. All that "junk" back there does create considerable drag though when the carrier is loaded.
You can get a Curt trailer hitch, I'm sure, for the 2010 prius. About $150, easy self-install in about 30 mins. I use it for a bike rack and a luggage carrier. Yes, it reduces mpg to about 42, but that's the price you pay for increased functionality.
I have a Saris Bones. Works well. The only small drawback is that the straps rub on the back edge of the spoiler. Short sections of foam pipe insulation around the straps prevent any damage to the finish.
Curt Hitches just came out with a hitch for the 2010 (Product #11469) (they have had them for the previous versions but they need to tweak the design for the 2010). I have a 2010 Prius and a Rav4. so I have been search for a hitch mounted bike rack to fit both. (The issue with the rav4 is the hitch is recessed under the bumper and the spare tire sticks out too far.) I think I am going with the Yakima Double Down 4. This rack is designed to fit both 1 1/4" and 2" hitch receivers. I will need to use a 2" receiver extension for the Rav4 to get past the spare tire.
Just to clarify, you're using it on the 2005 and not the 2010, correct? The mfr claims it fits on the 2005 but does not claim it fits on the 2010.
I was on YouTube and found a bike rack that dosent require a hitch. Go to my you tube accout I think I saved the bid on there. My username to look for is. Helpsavemotherearth If you can't find it let Me know and I'll look it up for you.
got to my YouTube page. My user name on YouTube is helpsavemothereart Loki for the page. Cause I saved a bid on there that has a spacific high fir the 2010 prius. If you can't find it. Personal message me and I'll send you the link.
I have the Saris Bones 2 and it is great, quick to put on and take off and folds up nicely to store it, but yes as another person said, it rubs the finish on the spoiler, I found out after it was too late to protect it.
There is a huge variety of racks that don't require a hitch. However, the hitch variety has many advantages such as they won't rub the paint off your Prius. ... Brad
...And the ability to open your hatch without taking off the hitch rack or bike. Can't do that with a strap-mounted trunk rack..
i just purchased the saris guardian 3 bike rack for my 2010 Prius II and it works absolutely great.... just a couple of pieces of foam and ur set!! :rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon: And the best part is that is has anti sway bars on it so the bikes dont hit the car. pics coming soon
Hi. When you say it reduces mpg to 42, is that with a rack mounted to the hitch or just with the hitch alone?
Did you get the Yakima DD4? How does it work on the Prius? I'm looking for a hitch-mount 4 bike carrier for my new 2013 Prius.