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Trailer hitch weight/torque limit?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by subframe, Aug 13, 2009.

  1. subframe

    subframe Junior Member

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    I've been looking for a hitch-mounted bike rack for my 2010, and while there seem to be a lot of decent options, I've run into an obstacle.

    Some rack retailers, and even some hitch manufacturers, have told me that no more than two bikes should be mounted to a hitch rack, as 3 or more bikes will require a long enough rack to cause excess torque at times.

    OF course, I need to carry 3 bikes...

    Has anyone had any experience using 3 or more bikes (or an equivalent weight) with their 2010 + hitch? Thanks in advance for any input.
     
    #1 subframe, Aug 13, 2009
  2. justlurkin

    justlurkin Señor Member

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    Depends on the bikes..

    If you are hauling three very light road bikes, the Prius hitch should do OK.

    If you are hauling heavy 40-pound mountain bikes, then I'd worry.. You might want to secure some extra straps from the top of the bike rack onto the hatch in some way to prevent the load from torquing the hitch.
     
    #2 justlurkin, Aug 13, 2009
  3. goingreen23

    goingreen23 New Member

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    I agree its going to depend on the type of rack and weight of the bikes. I just got my (Curt)hitch this afternoon and got it installed. I'm now deciding if I'm going to get the thule t2 917 or the saris cycle on.
     
    #3 goingreen23, Aug 13, 2009
  4. snijd

    snijd DIY or die

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    I have a four-bike carrier, and have carried as many as three bikes at once (86 pounds total bike weight). I added a nylon strap from the top of the carrier to the forward edge of the hatch to ensure adequate support, for the same reason you identified--too much torque.

    Another owner welded an additional piece of square tubing to the front of the hitch, fastening it to a convenient structural piece forward of the spare tire well. The 2010 has a similar spot, but it's offset slightly toward the right side of the vehicle. That's probably the ideal solution to this problem.
     
    #4 snijd, Aug 13, 2009
  5. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Thinking back to our Gen I, we used to carry an electric wheel chair on its hitch (carrier extended up to 18-24" beyond the hitch), and we'd frequently watch the hitch flex and torque under the weight as the car went over speed bumps. Additional stability would have helped, so I can completely understand the need for additional support. Keeping in mind that Toyota doesn't recommend any sort of hitch carriers, keeping things light and close should be okay.

    That being said - do NOT fasten anything to the spoiler. :lol:
     
    #5 HTMLSpinnr, Aug 14, 2009
  6. grizzy

    grizzy Junior Member

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    Exactly which Curt hitch did you get, and if you don't mind, where did you get it and what did you pay? I'm wanting to install a hitch myself.
     
    #6 grizzy, Aug 14, 2009
  7. donalmilligan089

    donalmilligan089 Member

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    I have currently been qouted 162 $ installed by U haul dealer in Bristol Va. I think many of these dealers do this custom work
     
    #7 donalmilligan089, Aug 14, 2009
  8. justlurkin

    justlurkin Señor Member

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    #8 justlurkin, Aug 14, 2009
  9. nparker13

    nparker13 Member

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    #9 nparker13, Aug 14, 2009
  10. goingreen23

    goingreen23 New Member

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    I bought it online, $127 and $12 for the shipping. Installed it myself.
    check out this link.
    Class I Receiver Hitch [11469] - $127.06 : The Hitch Store
     
    #10 goingreen23, Aug 14, 2009
  11. someToast

    someToast Junior Member

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    Sorry to resurrect this one, but what strap did you get and where are you attaching it?

    I had gotten the rack strap from Curt and hooked it in at the top edge of the hatchback and it's nowhere near long enough to reach the bike rack and back to the clasp (and that's not looping around the rack's crossbar!)
     
    #11 someToast, Oct 2, 2010
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