Curt hitch install question... Help please!

Ok...here ya go, guys.
Hopefully this will illustrate it well enough for you.

The rack is really great, and can be simple to install. (if you let it!)

It's only 4 bolts, and the included instructions are easy to follow... with only 4 or 5 steps.

In the package was the hitch, 4 bolts and washers, 1.25" to 2" adapter, ball mount with plug and pin, and the instructions.

You end up taking off the driver's side "tow plate" or whatever it's called.
On the passenger side, there is a bracket that the muffler hangs from. You end up putting the passenger side of the Curt hitch's mount underneath that exhaust hanger bracket, then just bolting it back into place.

In the pictures below, you can see how stealthy the Curt hitch is from behind or from the side of the car. You can also see the 4 bolts I mentioned. (2 on driver's side, and 2 on passenger's side by the muffler)

I also included a few pics of the Saris T-Bones rack.
As you can see, it removes easily from the hitch on the back of the Prius and docks onto its included storage stand. (it is lockable with key on both the hitch and the storage stand.)
It also came with a transportation bag that makes bringing it from the car to the storage stand easy! (the bag also has pockets for things such as riding shoes, a helmet, etc.)


It's a really innovative and stylish stand. I like it a lot.
It came with the lock and keys to lock the receiver onto the hitch, to lock the bike rack onto the receiver and onto the storage stand, and also includes built-in anti-sway straps for each bike, as well as a built-in lock to secure both bikes onto the stand. (uses the same key as the other locks)

 

Here is a link to the installation guide for the Curt hitch:

Trailer Hitch Instructions For DrawTite, Reese, Hidden Hitch & More - etrailer.com

It's rated for 2,000 lbs trailer weight, and 200 lbs tongue eight.
However, the Prius is NOT rated for that.

 

You are correct.
I'm not familiar with the Gen II and how the Curt hitch fits under it, but it fits under the Gen III very nicely.

The only thing is that the heat reflector shield thing (that is above the muffler, insulating it from the car's underbody) might need to be bent a little in one of the corners where the passenger side of the Curt hitch mounts to the car. (you'll see what I'm talking about when you get under the car.)
It's a very small modification...just about the last 1/2"-1" on the heat shield. I actually used a screwdriver to bend it out of the way a little.
It was a no-brainer to do and very simple.

Aside from that small obstruction, it's a very simple and straight-forward install.
When you get your hitch it, if you still have questions or problems, let me know!

 

Clearance is only reduced by a few inches or so. It's not much at all.
I'm not familiar with the older hitch, but I'm pretty sure that it was not rounded.

 

You are correct, it's a very simple and straightforward install - as long as you have a socket extension to reach through the fascia's opening on the driver's side.

I didn't have an extension long enough, so I removed the fascia, installed the hitch, THEN tried to put the fascia back on. (which required me to cut a small strip in it to fit around where the hitch mounts to the car's frame. It didn't work, so I ended up just buying a socket extension and then doing it the normal way.)

Concerning the muffler's heat shield, you should have had to bend or cut it out of the way a little. I just bent mine with a screwdriver. If you didn't do anything to it, you probably just mounted that side of the hitch bar over the small corner of the heat shield. It's probably not a concern, but if I were you, I'd at least go check it...if not take the hitch off, bend that part of the heat shield, then put the hitch back on.

If your hitch is snug tight and doesn't move or budge when you yank, push, step on it...then you're probably gonna be just fine. That heat shield obstruction really is very small and can easily be ignored. (I almost ignored it myself)

 

I can open the hatch all the way with my Saris T-Bones rack on.
With one bike on, I can also open the hatch all the way.
With two bikes on, I can open the hatch about half way. (plenty of room to get things in and out)
The reason it won't open all the way with two bikes is because the outermost bike prevents the innermost bike's handlebars from turning enough to let the hatch clear.
Maybe if I put the first bike on a certain way, with the handlebars turned from the beginning, then maybe it would let it open fully with two bike on....but like I said, it opens enough to let me access the rear cargo space, so I'm not concerned.