Hitch and Cargo Carrier Recommendation for a 2004 Toyota Prius
Question:
I purchased my friends mothers 2nd gen Prius as it only had 55K miles! It is the 2004 model, and now i want to take it for a road trip and need additional cargo. i am such a NEWBIE prius owner and joined the Prius Chat community and have so much to learn about all things Prius, but man those people and their conversations on cargo baskets/hitches, vs roof system and what it does to the aerodynamics or the MPG mileage just totally freaks me OUT. I am a single chick and will have to get someone to install it, and what i cant afford is to pay 300 bucks to have something put on. please help me... i need this done before memorial day weekend.. All i want is the best solution to possibly add a cargo basket that will only house some beach or camping gear, or an ice chest.. i wont be adding anything over the suggested weight.. i want it to be easy to put on/off can a girl do it?... just me and a friend and our doggies will fill up the hatch and cargo with our stuff for the beach.. im just hoping it wont be an overly expensive thing, or to find someone decent to install it around DFW in Texas. many thanks!!!
asked by: PAM
Helpful Expert Reply:
Since fuel mileage is a concern you are going to want to go with a hitch and a hitch mounted cargo carrier over a roof rack option.
For a hitch I would recommend the Draw Tite Hitch part # 24808. This would work well to support a cargo carrier. For a cargo carrier your best value would be the Curt Cargo Carrier part # C18145. For a stretchable cargo net to secure your items to the carrier you would want the part # C18200.
Everything I recommended is very economically priced. The hitch install shouldn't be too expensive but I would recommend finding a garage local to you with a good reputation as well.
Products Referenced in This Question
17x46 Curt Cargo Carrier for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Steel - 500 lbs
- Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Flat Carrier
- Fixed Carrier
- 20 Inch Wide
- Heavy Duty
- Fits 1-1/4 and 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 48 Inch Long
- Class I
- Class II
- Class III
- Class IV
- Steel
- CURT
more information >
Curt Stretchable Cargo Net - 38" Wide x 44" Long
- Cargo Nets
- Cargo Rack Net
- Trailer Cargo Net
- Truck Cargo Net
- 38 Inch Wide
- 44 Inch Long
- Black
- CURT
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class I
- 200 lbs TW
- 2000 lbs GTW
- 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Video: Trailer Hitch Installation - 2005 Toyota Prius - Draw-Tite
- Shop: Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Video: Trailer Hitch Installation - 2006 Toyota Prius - Curt
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Shop: EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
- Q&A: Distance From Hitch Pin Hole to End of Receiver on Draw-Tite and Curt Hitches for 2005 Toyota Prius
- Shop: Curt Cam Buckle Stabilizing Strap for Hitch-Mounted Accessories - 61" x 1" - Qty 1
- Q&A: Trailer Hitch with 200 lb Tongue Weight Needed for a 2007 Toyota Prius
- Q&A: Hitch Recommendation for a 2006 Toyota Prius
- Q&A: Recommended Way to Carry E-Bikes with 2005 Toyota Prius
- Q&A: Available Trailer Hitch Receivers for 2007 Toyota Prius
- Q&A: Comparing Trailer Hitch Options for Carrying 2 Bike Rack on a 2006 Toyota Prius
- Q&A: 2 inch Hitch Adapter Availability for 2007 Toyota Prius for Using a Bike Rack
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Video: Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Search Results: hitch
- Shop: Roof Rack
- Shop: etrailer Hitch Pin Alignment Collar for Hitch Accessories - 2" Hitches
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Article: My Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Shop: Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Search Results: hitch bike racks
- Video: Choosing the Right Brake Controller
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: cargo carrier
on Trailer Hitch
