Best Bike Rack Option

I added a hitch and use a Schwinn hitch-mounted rack. Total cost was about $200 but it works perfectly. It is far easier than a rack that attaches to the trunk and I do not have to worry about scratches from the bikes.

With any rack you will get a bit of wiggle at speed.

 

I added a 2" quality S hitch and use a Thule 916xtr t2. Very well built and stable. It also has built in locks, one that locks the rack to the hitch and one for locking each bike to the rack.

 

Get a hitch. End of story. You'll never have to worry about instability or scuffing the paint or ripping the spoiler off. It's another one of those "do it right the first time, even if it costs you more" thing.

 

I got my Curt hitch from Amazon for $96 delivered ... It's solid as a rock and took about 20 minutes to install. It's only a classs 1 or 2 though ... not a 2 inch receiver ... I use an adaptor to get from 1.25 (or whatever it is) to 2 inches.

REV

 

i recommend a hitch too. i have a 2 inch hitch. it's a cheap one (one of very few options at the time) so things wiggle as if the receiver is a little larger than the hitches that slide into it. i've even towed cars with my hitch... i have a trailer i use semi often.. i'll probably end up using it daily by the end of the year.

any time i use a hitch bike rack, i expect a 2mpg drop... sometimes a bit more if at speed or long distances. this is why some people just say "throw them inside" since two fit... but sometimes people need more space.

 

I got a Hidden Hitch installed and a Thule Helium 3 rack. Haven't tested it on long drives but it seems fine so far. This rack allows full access to the 2011 Prius hatch without removing the bikes or hinging the rack back. It's easy to remove the rack and store it in the trunk or garage when not in use.

 

Hey co_Prius_3, I was wondering how that Thule helium 3 rack is working for you long term? I just bought one for my 2012. Origianlly I got really ambitious about installing an Apex 5 bike carrier but, the instructions clearly stated to not load more than 2 bikes on a class I hitch (thats a 42 lb carrier). So I downgraded to the helium figuring that if they say 2, you can probably get away with 3--Hopefully. So, I was wondering if you have done any extensive testing with three bikes and how heavy is your load? And what type of hitch are you running? I wasn't able to find anything but a class I as it looks like the toyota mount points can't handle more than that anyway.

 

Also looking for advice on a bike rack for a 2012 prius. I'd like to be able to access trunk/hatch when the bikes are on the car. Thoughts?

 

2010 Prius Hitch Receivers and Bike Racks | PriusChat
2010 Toyota Prius Trailer Hitch - Curt
1UPUSA.com Bicycle Racks
https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2015/08/80207_2117.jpg

This is what we did.

 

I just ordered a Curt trailer hitch and Kuat Sherpa for my newly acquired 2013 Prius

I based my decision off reading reviews and this video.