Will the Thule Helium Trailer Hitch Mount Bike Rack Fit a 2010 Toyota Prius with a Curt Hitch

Question:

I recently bought a Thule TH971 with the intention to put it on my 02 Elantra with a Draw-tite class I hitch. Unfortunately the receiver pin holes dont line up the hitch receiver is not deep enough to allow the stinger of the rack fully ed. Will the Curt 11469 for the 10 Prius be able to take the Helium rack? THanks

asked by: HZ

Expert Reply:

The Class I trailer hitches have a stop built into them that prevent the accidental use of a Class II accessory. The older versions of the Helium had a longer shank and thus could not fit in a Class I hitch. The new versions will.

A Curt trailer hitch, # C11276, should allow the old version to fit. However, the 971 Helium is a 3 bike carrier but on a Class I trailer hitch, you will be limited to carrying just 2 bikes. The reason is that a Class I trailer hitch cannot handle the stress of a third bike (or more) that distance from the receiver. It will damage the hitch and vehicle.

Also, with the Curt hitch, Curt requires the use of a stabilization strap, # 18050, on any non-trailer load such as a bike rack. The strap will reduce the movement of the rack in the hitch and reduce the stress place on the receiver.

I have included a link to the installation instructions on the hitch and a link to a video showign a typical installation for you. I have also included a link to our FAQ article on hitch classes.

expert reply by: Michael H