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This fully welded, corrosion-resistant Toyota Prius trailer hitch receiver is perfect for your light-duty towing needs. Draw-Tite's Tested Tough guarantee ensures that this hitch exceeds industry standards. Drawbar sold separately.
Features:
Specs:
Draw-Tite's Tested Tough program provides testing standards far superior to those outlined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the go-to source for engineering professionals.
Each Draw-Tite trailer hitch receiver undergoes extensive fatigue testing and static testing with the ball mount that is either supplied or recommended for use with that particular hitch, thus ensuring results that are applicable to real life use. Fatigue testing is also conducted on hitches rated for use with weight-distribution systems.
In addition, Draw-Tite performs static testing on a simulated automobile, as opposed to the rigid fixture used for SAE testing, resulting in a more true-to-life scenario.
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.
Tech Tip
Hitch is not compatible with plug-in models. No drilling required for installation , Exhaust must be temporarily lowered for installation
California residents: click here
Average Customer Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars (697 Customer Reviews)
This fully welded, corrosion-resistant vehicle trailer hitch receiver is perfect for your light-duty towing needs. Draw-Tite's Tested Tough guarantee ensures that this hitch exceeds industry standards. Drawbar sold separately.Perfect fit and super simple installation (45 mins from opening box to torquing last bolt). Perfect for my bike rack and other attachments. Incredibly secure!Bought from etrailer 3x never dissapointed ?? Excellent instructions + customer service
My son-in-law and I installed this hitch on a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The video for the install on a Prius is accurate for a Prius V with the exception that a Prius V does not have cosmetic cowling on the underbody that has to be removed. The install was straightforward and we had the hitch on in about 45 minutes.
Other than the receiver on the hitch, you can't see the hitch without bending down and looking under the bumper. I personally like the aesthetics. We're using the hitch with the Swagman XTC-2 bike carrier and the combination is ideal for transporting our two bicycles.
The fit between the hitch and bike carrier is tight and the Swagman allows us to drop the middle bar down for access to open the rear hatch of the vehicle when the bikes are not in the carrier but leaving the bike carrier attached. We bought the Prius V so we could carry passengers, gear and two bicycles on trips. The draw-tite hitch and Swagman XTC-2 give us the flexibility to do that.
Here's some pictures to demonstrate as I've had a difficult time finding photos on the web showing a Prius V with hitch and bicycle carrier installed. I have a cover on the hitch receiver in some photos, sorry I took the photos at night with a flash, but hey, I did the review! Good luck.
Oh, by the way, like others have written, E Trailer was on top of things from the get go and I received numerous e-mails about the status of my order and follow-up after my receipt. Only took three business days between the date of my order and delivery to my home. The hitch and bike carrier were boxed and then inserted into another heavy duty shipping box. There were a few small tears in the outer box (assume from rough handling by the delivery carrier) but the contents were not damaged in any way. I would definitely order again from etrailer.com.
Very easy install and not excessively heavy to the point where it would reduce my mpg. Useful for so many purposes besides towing a trailer as well like mounting a bicycle rack or cargo carrier.
Worked like a charm. I know nothing mechanically, but a simple video guided me of the steps to take and the installation went smoothly. Thanks for a great product.
We have a 2014 PriusV and needed a trailer hitch for towing a 15 foot sailboat we recently bought. Problem was, Toyota recommends not towing with the PriusV. An Internet search revealed there were a few companies that had light weight hitches available specifically designed for the Prius models. After reading reviews, we decided on etrailers.com due to hitch design, hitch accessories (i.e., draw bar and wiring), price, free shipping, and supposedly easy installation in 30 minutes.
I called etrailer.com to ask a question and the agent told me that if I ordered the hitch package I needed at the time of my call (Monday) I would have the parts in hand by Friday so I placed my order. Parts arrived as expected.
What a pleasant surprise, product quality surpassed my expectations! Being a technical person I found all the directions remarkably well written with excellent supporting drawings and photos. I installed the hitch by myself in roughly 15 minutes. Installing the wiring took a little more time due more disassembly of panels to channel wiring as well as some simple assembly needed on wiring. The entire process took less than an hour and looks professionally installed.
I'm very happy with the overall experience and highly recommend etrailer.com for all your hitch needs.
John K.
1/25/2019
Very pleased with product. Speciality trailer hitch for 2014 PriusV. I continue to recommend etrailer.com to others as opportunity presents itself. Thank you for the customer followup. There are very many companies out there that should the etrailer.com customer service policy.
loved the ease of installation. Im 67 yr old small female, I tried putting it on myself, you really need an person holding it while you install. it took about 30 minutes in all removing the old tie downs and screws and installing this. It is very sturdy and works perfectly with a bike rack I purchased as well.
Sallyeanne
8/13/2023
I’ve had the trailer hitch for a yr now and I love it. It has been used a lot for short and long haul trips for my bikes. No rust or paint chipping. Looks good and I can barely see it when the bike rack it removed.
The hitch is an excellent fit and the quality of the is outstanding. I did the installation myself in the driveway. Since the Prius is low to the ground it would be easier if the vehicle is raised, but it is not necessary. I tried using 1/2" drive sockets but they don't fit the tight driver side bolts, so I used 3/8" drive set. I had a little problem with the passenger side as you will see in the photo. The heat shield for the muffler was causing me to not seat the hitch properly. Once I realized this and bent the shield out of the way a little everything when together easily. When I need a hitch for my truck I will use e-trailer again. Your instructions don't mention reinstalling the tow point so I didn't. Is this not possible?
Patrick B.
8/27/2015
That is correct, the tie-down hook cannot be reinstalled. Check Step 1 again in the instructions.
Installed easily, everything fits, works great!
Mark
5/6/2024
Everything still works, no problems
The unit arrived promptly, was well packed, and was a snap to install, but I wouldn't attempt this without a vehicle lift. We had to bend the sheet metal that's above the exhaust just a little bit so the bracket holes would align. Otherwise, a perfect fit. Done in 20 minutes.
Hitch arrived on time , and was very well constructed. I had watched the video of the installation and was impressed with the ease of insulation and strength of the hitch . I am using it for a bike rack to haul our bikes to the beach . I am 75 years young and cannot impress enough the Quality of this product.
Steve D.
8/12/2015
easy to install could not be any happier with this product !
I bought this for my 2012 Prius V based on other user's reviews. I was able to install it by myself without a lift or jacking up the car. I had most of the tools I needed, but I did pickup a longer extension for my socket set. Watch the install video and you will see why that's needed.
I used two jack stands to support the receiver while I installed it.
The only issue I had was with the new bolts. The existing bolts have rounded ends and are each to get started in the frame. The replacement bolts have a squared off end and are difficult to start without feeling like you are cross threading the bolt.
I finally installed the receiver using the existing bolts, then replaced them one at a time with the new bolts. That helped. I was able to get the bolts started without trying to hold the receiver in place. Fiddling around with the bolts added at least 20 minutes to the install time.
Now that it's on I'm happy with it. I'm using it with a Swagman XTC2 bike rack. I've been on the interstate several times and the combo is very stable.
Delivery from etrailer was fast. The product was packed well for shipping. I'm a first-time customer and would come back to etrailer again.
Order arrived as specified, and was exactly as described! I am very impressed with how well designed and constructed to be an "exact fit" for our 2015 Toyota Prius! I ran into some difficulty and wound up removing the rear bumper skin to install 2 nuts inside the frame of the vehicle because the vehicle had been in an accident, and apparently the body shop facility that repaired the car (prior to our ownership) neglected to replace the weldnuts!
It was still an easy install, just required a little more time, and effort due to no fault of ETrailer or the manufacturer of the hitch.
The wiring harness setup that ordered greatly simplified the light hookups, and was great quality! Exactly as described!
I would definitely order again, and I highly recommend ETrailer, and their products!
My order for the Draw-Tite Receiver Hitch (for 2013 Toyota Prius) was delivered in good condition, and in just a few days. Installation was relatively easy following the enclosed instructions, e-trailer's video, and a number of reviews. The two best tips I gleaned from other reviews about installation were: 1.) Don't bother to remove the muffler from the hanger, rather just "tweak" it over to R & R the bolts. (I jammed a block of wood between the undercarriage and the muffler to keep it "tweaked" out of the way.) 2.) Re-install the factory bolts to temporarily mount the hitch. Because the factory bolts are tapered, it greatly eases alignment (don't snug any of them up, just run them in far enough to ensure support of the hitch.) Replace them one at a time with the (19 mm head) bolts provided with the hitch.
The purpose for getting a receiver hitch was to get a proper bike rack to haul our two bicycles, so I ordered the Swagman XTC-2 2-Bike Platform Rack. It, too, arrived in good condition and in only a few days. One of the drop arm holes does not align as it should, but I am not of a mind to return it and wait for a replacement because of this minor defect (who knows what defect(s) the next one might have.) I just drove the pin home with a rubber mallet. In time, and some lube, I suspect I will be able to install the pin by hand. I test drove the car with the bikes on the rack for only a few miles (bags were still on the bike racks, as you can see from the photo,) but am pleased with the set-up so far. I anticipate enjoying this arrangement much more than our old "strap-on" bike rack.
I installed this on a 2012 Prius following the video for the 2013 model. They are identical in regards of the hitch installation. Over all it took me almost two hours to get it all in place and torqued down. Mainly because getting those bolts started is really a game of patience and I don't have much of that.
I followed the recommendations in previous reviews (use soap or soapy water on the rubber dampener and use a 19mm crow's foot for the bolt blocked by the muffler). I did not completely remove the rubber dampener as you can turn it out of the way once one side is loose. Working on your back with the hitch right in your face (or on your chest) makes anything pretty difficult. I think that if you had a racing jack to lift the back of the car by a few inches could have made a huge difference. Oh, I also followed the advise of a previous review to use the original bolts to help hold the hitch in place while you try to start the bolts that came with the hitch.
The end product if the work is great though and makes you forget the struggle to install it. It's a really nicely designed piece of hardware and though as nails.
I installed this Draw-Tite trailer hitch on our 2012 Prius to carry bicycles with our Thule 2-bike carrier. Installation took about 45 minutes. The installation video on the etrailer.com website was a big help. I used a stack of scrap lumber to hold the hitch in place while I bolted it in place.
As others have noted, I bent about a quarter inch of the heat shield so the hitch mated flat against the frame. The shield is soft metal so this is no trouble at all.
For some reason it took me longer than I would have expected to get the bolts started in the holes on the passenger side. I think this was a combination of my gloved hand and the tight space around the muffler. The driver's side bolts found their way much easier. I used the socket and extension to seat them and that's probably what I should have done on the passenger side, too, instead of trying to do it with my hand in that cramped space.
I saw in another review that someone that is 6 feet tall and 170 lbs. had difficulty installing this hitch. I, too, am 6 feet tall and 170 lbs. and did not have trouble getting under the vehicle. The tools needed were exactly as stated (although you may find pliers helpful to bend the heat shield).
I would recommend this hitch to others considering it for their similar Prius model.
Took about an hour to install on my 2013 Prius - did not have access to a method to jack the car up, so installed while laying underneath. Took a bit to get the bolts started by the exhaust - did not want to take exhaust loose from hanger. Driver's side was easier, although washer diameter was larger than slot between hitch and trim, and couldn't bend the trim - pretty stiff plastic. Put them up in separately and lost the bolt in the trim, but was able to snake it back out. Once all bolts started nothing to it. Will use it to mount a Kuat Sherpa bike rack.
This hitch was made to fit the vehicle easily. Etrailor provides product support with installation and questions and answers from support staff. I would recommend using duct tape to keep bolt/socket from falling in the under body protection panel. The appearance is outstanding and I believe most novices could install. The hitch appears to be very durable. I will use with pro hitch carrier to haul action packer and ice chest.
I installed this on my 2012 Prius V model 3. Very easy install with a couple of notes. Car was too low for my jack stands so I had to Macgyver a jig (upside down metal bucket and a brick) to hold up the hitch while I maneuvered the muffler end of the hitch. I also found it useful to use a basin wrench to tighten the new bolts to the hitch/muffler mount. This is the only part of the job that took a few extra minutes. I also bought the adapter to use with a 2" receiver and that fit perfectly. Everything was of nice craftsmanship and all holes aligned perfectly. The only bad experience I had was that the hitch was packaged poorly and arrived with a ripped box, no safety packing, and a hitch hanging out, scraped because of the shipping. On the Prius V I didn't encounter the "cowl" that was mentioned in the video (where they warn you to be careful not to lose the bolt there when initially taking things apart) so if you're installing on a V it is super easy!
Installed on my 2014 Prius three. Instructions were straightforward. Installation was easy. Works flawlessly with a Swagman XTC2 Hitch Bike Rack. The trailer hitch receiver was reasonably priced and worth every penny.
Great fit- Went on well with no modifications or hassle! One tip, though- Install the bolts on the drivers side FIRST- It goes a lot faster that way. With the big plastic trim piece, there is no room to get the tools in there, and it's hard to line the bolt holes up.
The hitch works perfectly with our new Swagman Bike rack.
etrailer videos made my purchase and installation amazingly easy. My hitch is exactly as described and looks great. I should have installed a hitch years ago and quit wasting money on bike racks that hang off my car..the tray style receiver rack looks and operates so much better.
Work as intended, easy install
etrailer did a fine job as expected. Hitch came very well packed with additional cardboard holding it securely in the box. They also taped the bike rack hitch lock I ordered with it securely to the hitch so it wouldn't fly around in the box.
The DrawTite hitch was an easy 20 minute install with 4 bolts. The Prius V doesn't have the protective bottom cover like the normal Prius does which makes it much easier to access the existing bolts. And since there were 4 existing bolts in place in the frame of my 2012 Prius V (for the muffler hanger and tow hook), I didn't have to deal with any rusty in-frame nuts. Hitch fit perfectly and seems plenty sturdy. I did have to do a little flat filing to the inside of the hitch (see photo) where the large hole on one side had a burr that kept the bike rack tongue from sliding in easily.
This was the easiest hitch I have ever installed. It fit perfect and the whole job was done in 15 minutes. The service from the extremely fast shipping to all the information on your site made for a easy job. I called my Toyota dealer to see if they could install it for me and they wanted to charge me $150.00 to remove and install 4 bolts. Like I said I did the job myself in 15 minutes saving $150.00 installation fee from them. I would recommend this hitch to everyone looking for a hitch to carry a mobility scooter or wheelchair. Thanks again for the excellent service.
Instructions were very clear and the video was a bighp to see how easy it was... Still, given that most of us don't have the use of a hydraulic hoist - it wasn't quite as simple as the practiced mechanic made it look.
Bottom line, I'd have given this an "excellent" rating but for the one thing that would have made this 2-3 times easier - tapered bolt ends - just like the OEM bolts I removed. The non-tapered bolts made it unnecessarily hard to get them started while laying on one's back - holding the receiver assembly in your free hand.
Overall install time 18 min - 2015 Prius
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Condition: Like New
Notes: May have damaged packaging or minor cosmetic blemishes.
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Brian S.
12/7/2012
I just bought the V and your great pictures have made up my mind. Thanks!