Recommended Trailer Hitch For Installing Bike Rack and Cargo Carrier on 2013 Toyota Prius

Question:

Vehicle: 2013 Toyota Prius I need to purchase a trailer hitch to mount my bicycle rack 2 bicycles and at times mount a metal cargo carrier rectangle shape. Is this the correct trailer hitch I need to purchase? And, is it something I can install myself and it be safe not damage the underside of the car and fall off?

asked by: Alicia M

Expert Reply:

For a bike rack and a small cargo carrier basket, the Draw-Tite Class I hitch # 24847 would be an excellent choice. The install procedure is pretty simple, as you can see by looking at the instructions and the installation video I've linked for you. You can look that information over and see if the install is something you'd feel comfortable attempting. The only specialty tool needed would be a torque wrench.

As long as the hitch is installed according to the instructions, there will be no worries about anything being damaged or falling off. The install procedure involves temporarily lowering the exhaust, which is honestly much less difficult than it sounds. I've linked you to an FAQ article that includes many different hitch install tips, including how to lower the exhaust.

For a cargo carrier, I'd recommend the Curt # C18110. The carrier features an angled shank to provide plenty of ground clearance.

expert reply by: Mike L