Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"

This is the second hitch receiver that I have installed on a Toyota Prius. The first was on a 2016 Prius Eco. We use the hitch to hold a very nice Thule bicycle rack. When I got a 2019 Prius Prime, I wanted to be able to use the same bicycle rack on the newer car. This hitch went in without problems, but it is recessed a few inches further from the edge of the bumper. The locking knob on the Thule bike rack now presses against the bumper, and can't be tightened properly. I am wondering what I can do to get my bike rack to fit on my 2019 Prius Prime?1757659

Click to Enlarge

Brooke M.

4/10/2024

Ok, Paul, I found an extender that might be just the ticket! Part # e68YR is a hitch receiver extender that should get you out far enough from the bumper to where you can still use your bike rack. It extends 7 inches. The only thing to keep in mind is that using an extender cuts your tongue weight capacity in half so you would only have 100 lbs total to work with. So the weight of the rack and the bikes cannot exceed 100 lbs. If that doesnt work for you, I would suggest a bike rack that gets you out past the bumper. Part # MPG2149 does an excellent job of that. The rack itself is about 32 lbs and is rated to carry two 33 lbs bikes. And since you wouldnt have to use an extender, that stays safely within the 200 lbs tongue weight capacity of the hitch.

by: Edward10/31/2023

A great experience dealing with e-trailer. Fast efficient service by a caring staff. Install on a Prius requires a high level of skill. The hitch is neat and a great light duty hitch.1688089

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

The drawtite tow hitch for a 2016 Toyota Prius is such a great add on to my vehicle. The construction is great. Easy installation compared to other applications. Ive installed a handful of tow hitches over the years. Packaging was great, it arrived very protected and cradled nicely in a box. I may pair this up to a 1UP Usa single bike rack carrier to keep things light!1746308

Click to View

by: Max10/13/2023

This is my hitch number 4 that I installed myself on different cars, 3 of them from etrailer. Diy videos posted by etrailer were critical in my decision to buy and install myself.1680764

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

i talked my husband into installing it, the ramps we borrowed definitely helped, the video and instructions were helpful1771106

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

by: Kenneth 11/25/2023

Toyota Prius

Excellent price, well-made, easy to install, and works great on my 2022 Prius Prime for transporting my bicycle with a hitch mount rack.1696022

I wanted to carry my bikes on my 2018 Prius Prime instead of always using my truck, but didn't want to hang anything on the body work like on my Prius Gen2 2008.
UPS delivered the parts when I wasn't home, but by the pictures you can see I would've had concerns. I think this is powder coat by the way it chipped, but it could be baked enamel, either way there is a lot of paint chipped off. (etrailer agreed to give me a credit for the damage) I wanted to start using this ASAP, so I installed the hitch. Your install video makes it look much easier than it is. Most people don't have a lift, a lot won't have a second pair of hands. My car is a 2018 Prius Prime bought in December of 2017. The winters in New England are hard with road salt and sand filling in places you wouldn't believe. All the clips needed to be opened and shut several times to get them to fully open. On your back it's a messy job getting the covers off. I knew this would be the case going in, but it was still harder then I expected. The directions say 45 minute install... maybe with 3 people on a new car after doing it half a dozen times. I'm a mechanic by trade and this wasn't easy because of the plastic on the car. The bumper cover was a nightmare as I have big hands and this car has a steel bumper reinforcement bar with sharp edges unlike the aluminum bar in the videos. None of which is your fault.
It took me about 4 hours by myself with a couple of breaks to clean out my eyes even with safety glasses on. When done, it looked good and clean minus the paint issues. Then I tried to insert the bike carrier base into the hitch and it wouldn't even start into the receiver tube. So I took a file and started cleaning out the receiver and around the edge of the carrier base. I got it in about 2 ½ inches (see attached pictures). The picture is a bit deceiving as there is a lot more room between the gusset and the bumper cover then it looks. The bike carried should fit ok if I can get it in far enough to insert the bolt into the receiver.
At that time I gave in as it was about 8:30 PM and I had had enough.
The next morning, after some filing in the receiver and a lot of filing on the carrier base, the carrier goes into the receiver fine. The pipe on the carrier is concave by quite a bit, I just got down to the metal on the edges of the pipe and an inch cross the middles weren’t even touched by the 1 ¼ inch wide flat file… It’s still a snug fit, but that’s ok. Some “dry slide” should keep it from rusting too much.

Overall, I think it's a good product. shipping prep is lacking, installation problems weren't etrailer's fault, beware if you have an early built Prius Prime or Prius with the steel bumper reinforcement assembly as you might cut you hands on the uncleaned welds.
I would have rather had gotten a 2" receiver if one was available for a similar price, but this will work for carrying a couple/3 bikes...

I have now used the hitch/bike carrier (Malone Runway 3 Bike carrier) for several weeks and would recommend them.1355405

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

your products are easy i learned a few tricks..mt second 16 thru 20 prius hitch install.do the wireing first and push the connectors thru before you start bumper..i build
cars and bikes stuff and by myself it took 3 hours to do it all. i had a hell of time getting to whote clips on lower rear facia.. i have a hitch on both my and my girlfriends car..ant the work great fo hauling my waverunner and quads ..great hitch1679282

I have installed the hitch on our 2018 Prius. The video was a big help. It took me about 5 hours to install partially because I was on my back. A lift would have sped things up dramatically.

A lot of time was spent trying to figure how to remove the wiring harness clips from the lower bumper fascia panel. I am not a neophyte. I have lots of tools. I have at least 10 pairs of needle nose pliers both straight and angled in various sizes. After more than an hour trying various approaches, I finally realized I could unclip them with my fingers. If l could see them, it would be easy but they are in a spot where you cant "see". It would be a big help if you spent some more time in your video on how to deal with the wiring harness. I was installing on a Prius 3 which has the proximity sensors mounted in the bumper.540477

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

John R.

7/12/2018

I have included pics of the troublesome wiring harness clip and the final installation.

This works well with my Thule 3 bike rack. Little to no sway.1688134

by: Johnny07/11/2020

All in all, the hitch has been great. It has allowed us to attach a much better bike rack than would be possible without a hitch, and it's not obtrusive when we remove the rack.

Note that it is possible to install the hitch without a lift or ramps, but I struggled immensely with clearance while doing so.

The most annoying part of the installation process was removing the plastic fasteners holding the trim panels on. I'd check out Amazon or a local auto parts store for replacements in case you break any irreparably (many of mine were damaged during removal by flathead screwdriver, and a few were beyond use). They're cheap enough that I wish I would've purchased them and had them on hand instead of having to run out to the store after starting the (re)assembly process.

Despite the couple things above, the installation process wasn't too challenging. The installation instructions were clear and the video was very helpful. I've recommended etrailer and this specific hitch to friends, and I'd definitely buy it again!831402

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

As always, etrailer is a pleasure to deal with. Helpful easy to navigate website, fast delivery, good product. I've put on several hitches and never been disappointed. My wive is excited to put her bike on the back of her car instead of trying to cram it inside.1296969

Dave

5/12/2023

Terrifically. Easy install and no rust which is a near miracle up where we are.

by: Dave S06/05/2020

This has been a great hitch for my Prius Prime. It is discretely tucked up close to the bumper and only the receiver is seen. I use the hitch mainly for a bike rack and some light utility trailer hauling. Installation is challenging, but possible for DIY with the aid of the well filmed online video. One might consider buying it and having a mechanic install if you are not skilled with tools. I’m happy with my hitch.808337

Click to Enlarge

We purchased this hitch for a 2019 Prius, specifically to mount a bike rack. Since the top of the hatch is window, you can't hang a trunk rack.

We chose to have this professionally installed. Previous experience reinstalling the plastic clips underneath was challenging so we left it to an expert. We are not auto DIYers.

The hitch is perfect, barely visible, especially next to the black bumper. Our old Yakima Hold Up bike rack fit the hitch and car perfectly. The system feels solid.

I can't advise about time for installation other than the car was ready for pick up 1.75 hours after dropping it off.

Thanks etrailer for making purchasing the right hitch easy. We especially appreciated the 'verified to fit' notes.717831

Click to Enlarge

Perfect fit for my 2020 Prius Prime. Very sleek, barely shows. Supports my Kuat 2 bike rack.1423752

Click to Enlarge

It took a couple weeks for etrailer to deliver the hitch this time around. Understandable bc of the coronavirus situation. Drawtite hitch is really high quality and solid. I had the drawtite in the previous gen Prius. That one was way easier to install. This one was a lot harder with more clips and bolts to take off and also heavier. But it’s totally worth the effort. I spent about 70 minutes to install the hitch with help from my son to hold the hitch and bumper in place. We also used a jack stand to lift the hitch in the correct spot so the bumper could be placed. Also I didn’t install the rear panel bc I didn’t want to cut it out. I plan to Lee the car only for a year anyhow.873825

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

I am super happy with this product and the whole experience ordering from etrailer. I was amazed that they shipped it so fast for free!

The included instructions and bonus material on safe trailering and how to determine your trailer tongue weight was great. The instructions were easy to following and I was able to install the hitch in pretty short order. Fit and finish are excellent and it's already in use with my new Saris bike rack, hauling my mountain bike. The hitch sticks out plenty far to keep things away from the car without sticking out too far and being obvious or a hazard.

Thanks for a great product, price, shipping and service!514659

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

by: Kerry09/05/2019

A year later, still looking good and working very well. It's very discreet and it mounts high enough that it's not anywhere near the lowest point under my 2016 Prius. So it never hits the ground!

See photos below, it only sticks out maybe a half inch beyond the bumper so it's also never in the way.

I had to install it by myself, it's no problem to do so. First, just remove 3 of the mounting bolts on each side. Then - one side at a time - remove the 4th bolt and slip the hitch behind the bumper frame just on that side and loosely install the bolt.698192

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

I like this hitch. It is very sturdy and my bike rack is a fairly tight fit which reduces wobble. It was tight enough though that it was a little challenging to get the pin inserted but not so much as to be a problem.

I can't give it five stars because it took me about 3 hours to install it. The instructions and video didn't address removing the lower bumper fascia on my 2018 Prius Prime Plus well enough. I encountered a large foam spacer in the middle of the bumper that was blocking access to the middle 3 retainer clips. The foam wasn't mentioned in the video or instructions. After struggling with it for a long time, I accidentally pushed the bottom of the fascia away from the car and realized when I did that I could reach in between the plastic and steel of the bumper and get to the clips.

My photos show the foam piece I encountered and my bike rack inserted into the hitch after the install.556874

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

I installed it in about 4 hours. Did not elevate the car. The video from etrailer was excellent. I used some blocking in the center in place of the "extra hands" and that worked fine. It has to be able to hold the hitch and the bumper beam. The disassembly and the bolt up was the hard part. Putting it all back together was a breeze. 772338

Click to Enlarge

Great fitting hitch, great looking hitch (meaning you barely notice it and what you do see isn't ugly). The instruction video was excellent and is about accurate in it's difficulty rating. The hard part is lifting the bumper and hitch assembly up together and getting the first couple bolts in to hold it up.547393

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

I give 5 stars for service and for the product, To be used for my bike rack. Works great. 509852

Click to Enlarge

The hitch came quickly via UPS and the same day it arrived I had time to install it. The instructions alloted 45 minutes for the install. Working by myself I accomplished the install in about two hours. I do work slow but it was relatively easy. I used a floor jack to hold one side up while I bolted the other. I also used a clamp to clamp the hitch to the bumper during the process. It looks clean and out of the way. I can't wait to use it. I did put a wiring harness on after I installed the hitch. Everything plugged in very nicely. The wire run up to the battery was the hard part. I will be excited to use this for a luggage rack or to pull a small trailer. I have two Kayaks waiting for a date with my wife at the lake!1068391

Andrew

6/20/2022

No problems with the hitch but backing up is a problem when hauling or towing with my 2017 prius. I cannot turn off the rearview camera and it automatically brakes becuase it thinks I am hitting simething while backing. Just a little annoying nothing major. going forward is great and milage is not effected much.

by: David11/06/2022

So, I remember wanting to write a review when I bought bike rack and receiver. The experience was awesome. I spoke to a real person. I gave her my VIN number and I sent her a pic of my bike. She told me exactly what I needed. She even gave me a direct dial so that I could contact her - that's right the same person that helped me with the order - if I had any problems. I was almost in tears as I am not sure I have ever dealt with an internet company that assigned 1 person to take care of me. It was awesome. The product worked as advertised, the experience was great and I would highly, highly, recommend etrailer.1464167

by: Craig B06/05/2020

Toyota Prius

Nicely engineered. I had it installed on my new Prius, primarily to support a bike rack. I had installation done at the dealership to make sure it was done in the best way, knowing that Toyota does not encourage trailer hitches for the new Prius (a bike rack or trailer drives the Prius rear sensors crazy -- but there are work arounds). I have also used the hitch to pull a trailer mounted with a powered log splitter. Backing up with the trailer or bike rack is a little tricky without disengaging the rear sensors. They cause the brakes to automatically engage. Good product. I would recommend it.808517

Craig B.

6/6/2021

Fine. It remains solid and continues to look and work fine. Unobtrusive.