How to Install a Trailer Hitch on a Toyota Prius (for a Bike Rack)

A hitch-mounted bike rack is one of the best options for Prius owners who want to enjoy unfettered access to the hatchback. While you won't want to use your Prius to haul a trailer, there are several hitch-style bike racks (and ski racks) to choose from once you get the trailer hitch installed. If you go to the Toyota Dealer they'll charge you around $800. to install a trailer hitch. You can do it yourself with a few tools and about an hour of your time.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A trailer hitch that will fit the Prius. Two aftermarket brands fit the Prius: The Curt Model 11468 (NOT the older 11470 which caused the bumper to melt!) and the Coastal Electronic Electronics Model
• Hex Wrench for M10-1.25 X35 bolts
• Scissors and/or matte knife to trim the plastic underbody facia

1. First, remove both tow hooks. Using a hex wrench, unbolt and remove the tow hooks from the underbody frame rails at the rear of the Prius on both the driver's and passenger's sides.

2. Remove plastic under body facia on driver's side, saving the hardware for the reinstall later.

3. 
    
   Hitch installation diagram (from Curt Manufacturing)

   Lift hitch into position under the car and secure with M10 bolts and washers provided with the hitch. Tighten the bolts.

4. 
    
   Enlarge tow hook slot in facia on driver's side.

   Using a scissors or matte knife enlarge tow hook slot in the plastic facia before you reattach it to under body on the driver's side. Extend the the slot all the way to the back edge of the facia and remove this small segment of the facia. Now the facia will fit around driver's side of the newly installed hitch. There is no facia on the passenger side to worry about.

5. 
    
   Completed hitch installation as seen from under rear driver's side of a Prius.

   Reinstall the under body facia with the existing hardware you set aside in Step 2. You're now ready to install your hitch-style bike rack or ski rack according to the manufacturer's instructions. The Curt hitch will take either a 2" or 1 1/4" rack mount.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a set of tire ramps to make it easier to get under the car.
• This installation is for the Curt Model 11468 ONLY. This hitch allows for free access of the hatchback door even when the bike rack is in the up position and even when bikes are mounted on the rack.
• Always set your emergency brake when working under a car.

Resources

• Curt Manufacturing
• Toyota Cars
• Toyota Prius

[pailott]

on 4/28/2008 One more note on the bike rack. My Rhodes rack sits in just a little too close to open the hatch without hitting it. I need to swivel it out an inch or two to open the door. A Minor annoyance, that I neverthesless wish I did not have. With bikes on it is a bit difficult to swivel it out. Oh well !!

[pailott]

on 4/28/2008 Note on this installation: The bolts Curt supplies are M10-1.25 pitch, 35mm length. The 35mm is too long, unless you want to reinstall the tow clips on top of the hitch. (Not sure if that would be a good idea !!) The 35's bottom out. I went down to OSH and bought M10-1.25 30mm 's, and they worked just fine. They even had the same strength designation (8.8). Save yourself time and just buy 4 M10-1.25-30's before starting.

[hmarcuse]

on 9/30/2007 I offer a little more detail on some of the steps (e.g. "taking off the fascia" can be a little tricky, and the flanges might not align properly and need to be bent a little) on a web page:
http://www.marcuse.org/harold/pages/PriusBikeRack077.htm

[dannyboy]

on 9/20/2007 Finally! A way to get a hitch-mount on my Prius. I knew there must have been an easy way to do it. Thank you! A great article!