Availability of 2 Inch Trailer Hitch Receiver for 2014 Toyota Prius V

Question:

Looking for a trailer hitch for a 2014 Prius V that has a 2inch receiver for a rear mount bike rack. Cant seem to find on your site, as I only see the 1 1/4inch version.

asked by: Matthew G

Expert Reply:

There isn't a 2 inch hitch available for a Toyota Prius. The rear structure of the vehicle isn't strong enough to withstand the forces necessary for the capacity that a 2 inch hitch would provide.

I'd recommend the Draw-Tite Class I hitch, part # 24847. It would be possible to use an adapter like part # HTAD, which would allow you to use a 2 inch bike rack, but doing so would cut the tongue weight capacity (maximum amount of weight that can be safely hung from the hitch) by half, from 200 to 100 lbs. This means that the bike rack plus the weight of the bikes placed upon it could not exceed 100 lbs.

It's always best to avoid using adapters if at all possible and use a bike rack that's compatible with a Class I hitch. Due to the limited capacity of a Class I hitch, the bike rack and the hitch manufacturers recommend that no more than 2 bikes be carried in a rack installed on a Class I hitch. Any additional bikes carried would move the load too far away from the hitch, causing increased leverage on the hitch, which can cause the hitch to bend or the attachment points between the hitch and the vehicle to fail. Which would be very bad.

I'd recommend the Swagman Trailhead, part # S63360. The Trailhead is a mid-priced bike rack that includes what I consider all the essentials, such as sturdy anti-sway cradles that feature sturdy rubber straps that hold the bikes firmly in place. The rack also provides an anti-rattle hitch pin that holds the rack tightly in the hitch so it doesn't wobble around during transport. For additional theft deterrence, a locking hitch pin/cable lock is available separately as part # S64031.

If you'll be transporting women's bikes or bikes with sharply-angled top tubes, you might also consider a frame adapter bar like part # 64005. The bar spans the distance between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post, which provides a secondary attachment point for the bike rack. This allows the bike to be carried level, which maximizes ground clearance.