Has anybody added a tow hitch to a Prius V?

I tow a 1200 lb oversize home made camper with my Chevy HHR, 2.2L engine- the tongue weight is about 160 lbs. Towing is fine, it's the unexpected braking that causes the white knuckles. The Prius has extra MG braking that would be a help with the stopping. That said, IMHO, 1500 lbs on flat roads would be my maximum for a small 4cyl engine. a 2500 lb trailer would have over 300 lbs of weight on the hitch ball, which is too much.

 

Yes, but stick with "Class I" weight receiver/package, use a hitch height appropriate for your trailer, install a harness for lights and of course make sure the trailer is licensed.

 

I do not recommend anything more than a tiny trailer, as Toyota specifies 0 pounds in the US.

Torklift Central | Torklift Central | 2012-2017 Toyota Prius V EcoHitch

 

True...but I did Amarillo/Dallas with my 2010 II LB and this U-Haul: 5x9 Utility Trailer Rental w/Ramp using the Curt 1-1/4" receiver carrying my Snap-On KRL722 Rollaway. Also did Denver/Dallas with this U-Haul: 5x10 Enclosed Cargo Trailer Rental and same box (with all my tools this time-heavy) plus other personal items. Of course I took the I70/I35 route for that trip due to snow/chains required in the pass. Not one problem other than dropping to 27 mpg.

 

Torklift hitches are very strong 1.5 and 2" systems which require no drilling and use existing hold down strap attachment points on a Prius v wagon. Once saw an AC guy running calls in an older gen2 Prius pulling a small trailer. You know that guy had low overhead costs. I would agree with BenK about maintaining small loads especially over long distances and very hilly terrain. The Prius brakes are small because of its regen braking and light weight overall. Once the HV battery is fully charged you only have minor engine braking to supplement the disk brakes on a long, heavily loaded descent.

 

As stated, I have no problem doing Class 1 tows with a Prius. Which receiver you choose comes down to economics, receiver size and placement. As it specifically applied to my decision on the 2010 and 2015 Prii we own (same receiver for both)...there where 3 mfgs and 2 sizes. Curt and Draw-Tite both offered the 1-1/4", were mounted under and priced slightly over $100. Torklift offered 1-1/4" and 2", both were "Hidden" and both were over $250. The construction quality, ratings and warranties were the same.

 

Does anyone have experience with converters that take the 2" size down to 1-1/4"? I have a big bike rack that used to go on the back of my Honda Odyssey, and now it just sits in the garage sad and lonely.

 

I would really just buy the 2" Tork Lift Eco hitch, all the extensions are going to increase the tongue weight.

 

They work fine. I had one for the same reason.

 

This is what I did for my regular Liftback.

Though I should disclose that TorkLift is (nearly) local to me.

 

Any adapters commonly found at Harbor Freight, UHaul or eTrailer will work just fine. The offset weight using these are marginal for a bike rack...even loaded.

 

I have the 2" TorkLift hitch on the Firebrid project so that I can use the 4-bike rack that I had purchased years ago to use on my old (and departed) Cadillac. It was easy to install. The photo shows how the hitch looks when the rear bumper of a Prius V is removed.




Bill the Engineer

 

Looks Clark Griswold esque .

Even room for Aunt Edna on the roof.

 

Funny thing about that rig on the Caddy is that it didn't lower the 13 mpg at all...

 

13 mpg is pretty good.

And I bet it drove like a dream.