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This custom-fit trailer hitch with a hidden cross tube installs behind your vehicle's rear bumper, leaving only the receiver visible beneath it. Aluminum and steel alloy construction is durable and eco-friendly. Powder coat finish resists rust.
Features:
Specs:
The EcoHitch Hidden trailer hitch is designed to be as inconspicuous as possible. The hitch's cross tube bolts onto your vehicle's frame, behind your rear bumper. No welding is required. Drilling one 1/2" hole into vehicle's heat shield is required. Once the hitch is installed, only the receiver will be visible beneath your bumper. This means that your vehicle can maintain its stylish, from-the-factory look, and you won't have to do any major modifications to its body or frame.
With a combination of aerospace-grade aluminum, steel, and stainless steel, each EcoHitch is made of a strong metal alloy that will withstand the test of time. The lightweight alloy is composed of recycled materials. Traditional steel hitch manufacturing can use coal or oil, which can contribute to harmful gas emissions. The EcoHitch's recycled materials limit the carbon footprint during manufacturing, so you get a sturdy trailer hitch while also helping the environment.
This EcoHitch trailer hitch is tested for durability and sturdiness. Using Finite Elemental Analysis (FEA), individual points of stress on the hitch can be detected and remedied. Designers can accurately test the hitch to ensure that it will meet or exceed SAE J684 standards. The EcoHitch Hidden trailer hitch is carefully researched and strength tested for a durable, high-quality hitch that can resist damage while on the road.
At etrailer.com we're committed to the products we sell, and to our customers. Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are available via both phone and email to address your questions and concerns for the lifetime of your hitch. The technicians at etrailer perform hitch installations on a daily basis, making them a valuable resource for do-it-yourselfers. The one-on-one, personal service you'll receive comes straight from an expert in the towing and automotive field. We've installed it, we've wired it and we've towed with it, so whatever your question, we can answer it.
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (99 Customer Reviews)
This custom-fit trailer hitch with a hidden cross tube installs behind your vehicle's rear bumper, leaving only the receiver visible beneath it. Aluminum and steel alloy construction is durable and eco-friendly. Powder coat finish resists rust.
Had a bit of a hiccup with the physical box being damaged from shipping, but the guys at etrailer were prompt in getting things right. The communication is beyond impressive. Installed by myself with the help of a jack. Some trimming is involved of the black plastic cover underneath around the receiver itself. Snug as a bug and got me and mine 2,044 miles to our new home without a single problem! Thanks etrailer!!!
Clever, those long, stiff-wire bolt guides... really helped align the hitch holes with the factory holes. Looks smooth and clean when installed, with no bracing framework showing.
Tip: Buy yourself a fresh box of those pop-in plastic pins at a paint and trim auto store... hard to salvage the originals.
My 2010 Prius is load-rated at 927 lbs. Counting down, that's 200 lbs of me,10 gallons of gas for 60 lbs, hitch and insert at 43, snowmobile trailer & spare at 418 for 721 lbs, leaving me just 206 lbs spare capacity for my 150-lb aluminum brake. With tools and materials adding another 200 lbs, I'm over the manufacturer's recommended limit, yet it seems not to labor. Some have commented of towing 1500+ with this hitch.
Glad I went with the full 2" receiver... nice product.
I do 100-mile runs to MPLS to work on son's house and still get better than 51 mpg.
Solid unit, no issues with fit-up to existing Prius frame rail holes. Even the location for the added heat shield hole was spot on, only thing I would add is to locate hole in line with existing holes, (for clarity). On a side note the instructions have the muffler and hold down on the opposite sides. (Prius muffler for 2012 is on the right) Had more issues with the plastic splash pans than I care to elaborate on - Toyota junk. Also, the hitch tucks into the bumper, I did not see any indication in the instructions. Replaced my Curt 1 1/4" hitch and it appears this one, even though a 2", sits higher off the ground. A solid purchase!
(2013 Prius Three, self-installed)
The HITCH itself is incredible, and great quality. It's a strong performer. If you have a Prius and are doing a self-install, for the love of god just get a Class 1 hitch that's smaller and doesn't have the added bolt holes and wings to attach to the frame. Installation was a bitch, and I found myself regretting my sturdier choice for the Class 2 hitch while I was trying to install.
Now, mind you, I used ramps at home in my garage, and did it mostly on my own, not a lift nor a team of people installing.
It's heavy -- which means strong for the tow -- so trying to finagle it while tearing apart the underbelly of the Prius was just annoying as hell. Having to cut apart the rainshield/splash shield to even access the places that it needed to go in at the weird angles while holding this heavy chunk of metal up is trying on the patience and determination. I even wound up finagling THREE different jack stands to support parts of it while I attempted to maneuver the thing in, while fighting off the car's rain shield and such.
Not to mention, it takes up so much space, being so beefy and strong, that it more or less disfigures the entire bumper and presses the side fender or bumper out in weird ways unless you have 10 times more patience to deal with the added body work to address it being SUCH a *TIGHT* fit, that you have to fight against the whole while.
Again, the product *itself* is phenomenal and deserves great reviews. Just don't try to self-install at home on ramps if you've got a Prius, or you'll wind up wishing you had just bought a simpler, lighter, easier to install Class 1 hitch instead. And hopefully the smaller size of the Class 1 won't disfigure your back end.
Well-made hitch with quality parts and solid construction. I gave 3 stars because the install process is absolutely terrible - possible one of the least pleasant projects I've ever done. Even if you are pretty mechanically inclined, I would recommend paying someone to install this. The instructions are are probably good enough for someone who installs hitches or works on cars for a living, but they are very vague and leave a lot to be desired if you are installing the hitch yourself. They use grainy black-and-white photos and minimal instructions. You have to fish the third bolt on each side into the frame then pull it back through with a bolt fisher. You then have to really muscle the hitch in behind the bumper while pulling the bumper out, and it's very easy to knock the bolt off the fishing tool and then the bolt, plate, and washer are forever stuck in your frame.
Great fit. Nice low profile look.
The hitch itself is extremely well made. All of the holes lined up perfectly, and extra installation hardware is included in case you lose a couple of pieces.
The instructions, however leave a little to be desired, and are in need of revision/clarification for those customers that may not work on their cars much.
Still giving it 5 stars.
Yeah, this hitch didn't even come close to fitting my 2013 Prius. I could get the bolts started on one side, just enough to hold the hitch up and give me a little wiggle room to get the bolts on the other side started. But as you can see in the pics, the holes don't come close to lining up. Wasted an entire day tiring to get this thing to fit.
David B.
9/13/2022
That is a flexed hit my guy. You can torque it back!
Amazing. I use it to put my 450 dirt bike on the back of my Prius. I know what you are thinking but its totally ok...My Prius identifies as a truck so no worries. It is built tough and has held up great for well over 1K miles with the dirt bike on back. I think this is still the only hitch that has a 2" receiver that will fit on a Prius. Its by far the best/strongest one.
Hitch is excellent quality, fit my 2010 Prius almost perfectly and installation was technically very easy. I'd recommend heeding the advice to mark where you're trimming the fairing before removal as it doesn't appear to be dead center once removed. Besides a few of the 10 year old brittle bumper clips breaking, installation was as easy as the two other hitches I've installed. It fits almost snug against the bottom of the bumper, my rack hasn't bottomed out on anything yet amazingly, ends up being fairly close to the rear axle.
David
2/11/2021
Flawlessly. Ive left my rack installed the past year with zero issues. Totally worth the extra cost for the 2 rather than fooling around with adapters, completely solid.
It was a great kit, easy to install, IT FIT! Seems strong and a good design. We have hauled our e-bikes all over, on rough roads and had no problems at all.
This hit hitch turned my Prius into a much more functional vehicle. It was fairly easy to install and very good quality. I love it!
The final installation is incredibly clean and professional. The only real modification to the car is cutting the plastic splash guard after removing it. Like others mentioned, I would recommend installing the hitch and cutting the splash guard to fit after completing the installation.
The only negative I would say was that the photos for where to cut the splash guard in the instructions weren't very clear, so I wound up doing a few test fits to get it to fit with the minimum amount cut. Also, the instructions said "passenger side" when referring to the driver side of the vehicle. I would say to just pay attention to if it's referring to the side with the exhaust or not. Aside from those minor things, the instructions were great, all hardware was provided and there was very little "searching for tools".
I would recommend a second set of hands to actually place the hitch into the vehicle, because it requires both lifting it and pulling the bumper out slightly to get it to fit. Everything else I was able to complete by myself.
Matt
4/23/2023
I have had no issues with this over the last year. Once installed, it looks and acts like a professional install from Toyota. I honestly forget that its an aftermarket option and that not all cars have this option for a receiver. Definitely would buy this again and will definitely buy another receiver with whatever new vehicle I wind up with after this one.
The hitch was fairly easy to install if you are somewhat capable at working on things. I highly recommend Having the two inch receiver so you can use common accessories on the back of your Prius. I have pulled a a tent trailer for a couple thousand miles with out an issue.
The hitch itself is very well engineered. Installation was a bit of a hassle on my 2010 but I got it in. For those who are having problems here are a few things that really helped. 1. Disconnect the back bumper cover; I didn't remove it but disconnected it to make it easier to get into position. 2. There is a square canister which I think is the EVAP can on the drivers side that has to be removed to get to the bolts for the hitch. It comes off with 2 bolts. 3. Use a low profile floor jack to assist holding the hitch up. 4. They have you drill a 1/2" hole in the heat-shield for the exhaust for bolts fished through the frame. It was a hassle dealing with the alignment of the bolts and the heat-shield so I put the 3/8" bolt from the frame together and then drilled the hole in the heat shield larger to go over the bolt, nut, and washer.
With these added steps, the install process is much easier.
Works as expected. Very satisfied. I used the services of a recommended installer which was good because installation wasn't easy.
A little pricey but a solid investment. Note - does not come with wiring for electric.
Instructions could have been better. Had to cut the plastic cover underneath the car. Installation took an hour and half. Its been great though. nice solid hitch
Takes some work getting on, but once you do it’s rock-solid. Depending how handy you are, you may want to seek out a certified installation service. If you do it yourself, you should be able to do it in one afternoon or faster if you have a jack/snips/etc…
Great hitch for my Gen3 Prius! Installation is a little tricky compared to others I've done due to the "fishing line" nuts, but watch the vid and follow directions carefully and you should be fine. The hitch looks great and doesn't lower the car much as only the hitch itself sticks out below the bumper.
Gregory
1/19/2023
1 yr later the hitch is still working great! Use it as a cargo and bike mount regularly.
Fits well, works fine. Much more convenient that the 1 1/4” receivers available for the Prius. Install was straightforward.
Hitch is well made. Instruction could be better. Black and white photos make it hard to determine areas that need trimming.Hitch is a tight fit, takes two people to install. Other than that it will work perfect for my MTB trips.
Delighted to have a hitch that fits our 2014 Prius.
Excellent packaging and fast shipping!
Bruce
10/15/2023
Excellent. It carries our mobility scooter lift and ramp.
Mike L.
11/6/2023
Works great for a full size bike rack and two e-bikes
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Ray K.
3/30/2024
Im glad I followed the advice of other purchasers and bought the 2 rather than the 1-14... well worth the extra $$$.