Hitch Ground Clearance and Recommended Bike Rack for 2012 Toyota Prius V  

Question:

Expert Reply:

All three hitches available for the 2012 Toyota Prius V would have the same ground clearance of approximately 10-1/2 inches between the bottom of the receiver tube and the ground. Of the three hitches available, I would recommend the Draw-Tite Class I receiver hitch, part # 24847.

Because of this relatively low clearance, we recommend using a bike rack that features an angled shank that will raise the bikes and provide more ground clearance.

According to our customers, the Swagman Trailhead, part # S63360 is one their favorite racks. This mid-priced rack provides what I believe are crucial features in a bike rack, like anti-sway cradles that will prevent the bikes from swaying back and forth and striking each other or the vehicle and an anti-rattle hitch pin that will hold the rack tight in the receiver tube and prevent the rack from moving around.

To carry womens bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes or step-through frames with a hanging type bike rack like the Trailhead, using a frame adapter like part # 64005 is recommended. The adapter spans the distance between the seat post and the handle bar gooseneck, and provides a level attachment point to the bike rack so the bike has greater ground clearance and is not carried at an angle.

If you would prefer a platform-type rack, you cannot go wrong with the Swagman XTC-2, part # S64670. A platform rack is usually easier to load and holds the bikes very securely by both the frame and the wheels. In many cases, a frame adapter is not needed for womens bikes, unless the bike has a very sharply angled step-through frame.

I have linked you to both the racks I mentioned, as well as to some product demonstration videos that you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Mike L

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