Curt Hitch Released for ordering 2010 Prius

Curt hitch arrived today, i will install it tomorrow.

edit: installed today, simple process. at first i thought i might have to remove the belly pan but thankfully, no need.

 

This is slightly off topic, so please forgive, but has anyone here tried to install brake and turn signal lights on their bike rack? A couple of bikes can obscure the lights pretty well. I notice on line that Euro spec bike racks seem to have the lights.

 

Got mine today and was able to install it myself, it took me about 45 minutes though.

 

Pictures??

 

I was able to install the Curt hitch receiver this evening, but I probably have the record for the longest installation. A couple of things to keep in mind:
1) Don't attempt it after a day at the office and directly after a 24 mile bike ride.
2) Make sure you have a way of illuminating the underside of your Prius to see the bolt holes. I cut a hole in a small cardboard box and stuck a mini-maglite in so it pointed up.
3) Be sure to mount the drivers side before the muffler side. If you don't, you will have a hard time fitting the drivers side mounting plate through the plastic underpan.
4) Shallow sockets and a swivel link ratchet would make the job much easier on muffler side. (I had to use an open end wrench to access the forward of the two.
5) Curt supplies 4 bolts and washers, but the OEM bolts will fit on the driver's side. The longer Curt bolts are necessary on the muffler side. The OEM bolts were nice because the washer's would not fall off. I used them on the driver's side.
6) Either get a helper or find a way to support the muffler, and the receiver hitch while you are lining up the bolt holes. I used cardboard boxes of various sizes to do that.
7) a lift would be nice but you can get your body under the car, but be careful not to drop the receiver on your face before you have it secured with the bolts.
8) A c-note to the local mechanic would be well spent to avoid all that time crawling on concrete...

Other than that, the two hour job should have taken the 30 minutes Curt said an amatuer should take. This exercise is positive proof that I fit into the category or 'sub-amatuer' or possibly 'tool moron'.

Next challenge - find the right tray bike rack. I am thinking about 1UP because it is corrosion resistant aluminum.

Good luck to the rest of you as you install your receiver hitches.

 

should have stopped over and used the service pit in my workshop - || www.tgnagy.com || The TR7

 

Nice! That would make a lot of tasks much easier. I see from your project list that you must be much more mechanically inclined than me.

 

Just had mine installed by Pep Boys here in California for $50 flat. Thanks to the helpful information on this site, I ordered mine through e-trailer and the Saris Thelma 2 from gottaridebikes.com, and while awaiting their arrival I drove by Pep Boys who sprinkled "$50 hitch installation" signs all over their lot. I'm very happy with the install, and looking forward to receiving the T2 bike rack.
This is my first post, but I'm glad I joined this site and want to thank everyone for taking time to share their experiences for the sake of helping the Prius community. I'm very happy with my purchase so far (it even withstood the baby-seat stress test - let me know if anyone's interested in how car seats fit in my Prius IV).

 

Anyone imported one to Australia & installed?
Would it be likely that the underside of the car is exactly the same in Australia as the USA, for this purpose?

 

Besides Hitch Web and Etrailer does anyone have any suggestions on a good place to order a Curt hitch? Thx

 

etrailer worked for me. no issues and speedy delivery.

 

Same here. Used them several times and always happy with their service.

 

How high is it from the ground to the top of the tow ball mount?

 

ETrailer is good! They put a "Rush Order" or something sticker on the box. The package arrived before the scheduled time. Good packaging!

I installed mine myself! It is really easy. Get down under the car, take a look, then you will know how easy it is. Put a 1 gallon paint can under the center of the hitch so you dont have to hold it up. Make sure you have a socket extension ($14 from Home Depot) ... a must. Easy as an oil change ...

 

Exbauer,

It's also great for preventing tailgaters.

 

The pictures people took look good. Can others please post more pics?

I am curios on how far it hangs below the bumper. A pic of the rear bumper with the lens of the camera 1 foot off the ground would be great.

Is the hitch the lowest point on the car or is it the bar that is between the two back wheels.

I wonder how this effects the overall aerodynamics of the car. I noticed the on the bottom of the back of the car its all smooth plastic covers. I also noticed fins underneath the car. I am sure they are used to direct air.

 

HTMLSpinnr, Thank you so much. Those pictures are perfect.

I am curios if you notice a change in MPG’s

It would be great if someone released a hitch that did not need a tube. Maybe a thin piece of metal that would be a little more aerodynamic. Here is a crude pic.

 

Phew! I thought someone had gone to jail for ordering a 2010! I am so happy I'm not a fugitive from the law. Well, at least not for that.