Can Hitch Install on 2016 Toyota Prius without Voiding the Warranty

Question:

In the US the 2016 Prius owners manual states: Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Toyota also does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers. Yet in Europe and the U.K. Toyota offers a towing package for the 2016 Prius: Shouldnt this make it much tougher for Toyota to void my warranty for putting on a Curt hitch?

asked by: Karl

Expert Reply:

You've done your research! You bring up a lot of interesting contradictions that surround hitches and Toyota Prius. I was actually just following a Prius this morning that had a hitch and bike rack installed which made me think of this as well.

The situation is that in the US we are incredibly sue-happy so the manufacturers are way more strict with towing capacities over here than over in the UK. This means we get lower towing capacities and more vehicles say that you cannot tow at all or even install a hitch like your 2016 Prius.

Also, in terms of warranties when you install an aftermarket part on your vehicle like a trailer hitch in this case, you are protected by the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act. This act states, in part, that unless the installation and the part caused a problem then the warranty cannot be voided. I recommend looking it up online.

So basically it is a gray area for whether or not you should install a hitch on your vehicle. On one hand we know that Toyota says DO NOT install a hitch, but on the other hand we have manufacturers who will make a hitch for basically any vehicle where there is a demand and let them sort out the details on if it's a good idea.

So let's say you do want to install a hitch on your 2016 Toyota Prius for a bike rack the one to use is the Draw Tite part # 24966 which does not require a stabilizer strap like the Curt does for your vehicle when carrying a bike rack.

The most popular bike rack we carry that has been confirmed to fit this vehicle is the Thule Camber 2 part # TH9058. We asked our demo and install guys to name their favorite, most easy-to-use bike racks and this one showed up in nearly everyone's top three. Check out the review video I attached for more info.

If you plan on carrying any women's or alternative framed bikes without horizontal top tubes you may also be interested in purchasing a Kuat Bike Frame Adapter Bar # UB01 to provide a horizontal top tube on your bikes to provide an attachment point. I attached a review video for this product also. This will allow the bikes to be carried more level and will provide more ground clearance.