Options For Carrying 4 Bikes On 2012 Toyota Prius V

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Question:

Hello. Im looking to get a trailer hitch and bike rack for my 2012 Toyota Prius V to carry 4 bikes two adult mountain bikes and two childrens bikes. The compatible trailer hitches for my car are all Class I. All of the bike racks I have looked at say they carry 4 bikes but only 2 bikes for a Class I trailer hitch. Do you know if there are Class II trailer hitches available for a Toyota Prius? Or are there bike racks compatible with a Class I hitch that carry 4 bikes? Thanks for your help.

asked by: Brittany

0

Expert Reply:

You are correct. The only hitches we have to offer for your 2012 Prius V are Class l hitches. You are limited to 2 bikes. Adding more bikes would certainly exceed the allowed weight limit on the back of your Prius.

The only option I can offer so you can carry 4 bikes is to install a hitch with a 2-bike carrier and then install a roof rack and carry 2 bikes on the roof of your vehicle. I know this is not the option you wanted, but it would give you the ability to carry 4 bikes.

For a trailer hitch I recommend part # 24847. This is a Class l hitch and it has a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening.

The hitch mounted bike carrier I recommend for you is the Curt # C18085 2-bike rack. This bike carrier holds the bikes by the wheels so no adapter bar is needed.

Another hitch mounted bike carrier I recommend is the Thule Camber 2 part # TH9058. This bike rack has anti-sway cradles that help keep the bikes from banging into each other, and has an integrated cable lock that secures the bikes to the carrier. For added security I recommend part # THSTL2. This is a lock that will secure the bike carrier to the trailer hitch.

When carrying bikes with alternative frames like kids bikes or women's bikes I recommend using an adapter bar like part # 64005. This attaches between the seat post and the handlebar stem and allows the bike to be carried more level in the carrier while providing additional ground clearance. I have attached a product review video for this adapter bar.

The roof rack I recommend for your Prius is the Rhino-Rack RS 2500 Roof Rack consisting of # RRVA126B-2, # RRRLKVA, and # DK195. This roof rack has Aerodynamic crossbars that help cut down on wind noise and drag.

For bike carrier on the roof I recommend part # RRRBC050 for each bike. This carrier that will work great with the Aero crossbars.

You will want to make sure you do not exceed the roof weight capacity of your Prius.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

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Answer 1

The Draw-Tite part #24847 that you referenced has been confirmed as a fit for your 2014 Prius V. It has a tongue weight capacity of 200 lbs. It sounds like this hitch would have enough capacity for what you are trying to carry with it. But we…

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Answer 2

The hitches that are available for your 2015 Toyota Prius are Class l hitches. Class l hitches are limited to a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening due to the lower towing and tongue weight capacity for the vehicles. I recommend the Draw-Tite Trailer…

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Answer 3

The only available hitches for a 2010 Toyota Prius have 1-1/4" receiver openings and are Class I rated. Class I racks are limited to carrying two bikes, though there are some that have an available adapter that allow bikes to be used with…

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Answer 4

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 5

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 6

Class I and Class II hitches both have a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. The difference is that a Class I hitch has a lower tongue weight rating, usually 200 pounds and a lower towing rating, usually 2,000 pounds. A Class II hitch usually has a tongue…

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Answer 7

Yes, we do. To add a hitch to your 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C26VV. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Toyota with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has…

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Answer 8

To add a class III hitch to your 2024 Honda CR-V hybrid, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C13397. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your CR-V with included hardware. It is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. I really like…

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Answer 9

To me it makes the most sense to put a Bike Rack #HLY64FR on the flat towed vehicle rather than above the tow bars. Especially on heavy e-bikes as they are difficult to lift that high onto the rack, but also as it only makes sense to have the rack…

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Answer 10

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 #SH22G and the NV 2.0 #NV22G that you referenced are both excellent platform-style racks that will hold your bikes by the front wheels with no frame contact. These are top-of-the-line carriers and you really would not go wrong…

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Answer 11

Yep, so long as your 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is not a hybrid both the Curt and etrailer hitches will fit: - Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13382 - etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98912 The only difference besides price is the finish; the…

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Answer 12

Yes, the Curt hitch part #C77ZV is a fit for the 2023 Toyota Crown Hybrid. I attached a link to the install instructions as well as a link to an installer finder in case you wanted to find someone near you to install the hitch.

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